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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Bike pulls to left
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Message started by eau de sauvage on 01/06/19 at 13:41:57

Title: Bike pulls to left
Post by eau de sauvage on 01/06/19 at 13:41:57

Went for a spin on the S40 and discovered a slight tendency to pull to the left, the handlebars also appear to be very slightly out of square. Upon further investigation it seems that someone was following too closely around a corner and apparently, I'm told the bike did not go down but the front fork apparently caught the bumper bar, apparently blah blah blah, I guess I'll never really know what happened but now I'm just wondering what the process is for checking where the problem is.

How should I best assess what damage if any has been done and what steps I now take to decide on a course of action.

Title: Re: Bike pulls to left
Post by oldNslow on 01/06/19 at 14:14:18

Try this first. If the forks just got twisted in the trees, and nothing is actually bent. this might be all you need to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNEmOqY02EU

On a Savage you have to leave the pinch bolts on the lower tree tight I think. There are no pinch bolts on the top tree. With the stem nut loose the bars should still straighten out.

Title: Re: Bike pulls to left
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/06/19 at 17:21:49

Change voter registration.

Title: Re: Bike pulls to left
Post by Dave on 01/07/19 at 04:01:26

This happened on dirt bikes pretty often.

Loosen the lower pinch bolts, stand in front of the bike with the wheel/tire between your knees and grab the handlebars......twist in the direction you want to correct the steering....then tighten the lower pinch bolts. (I never have had to loosen the stem nut to get the forks straight - but you might check and make sure it is tight after you get things straight).

It may take a few tries to get it right.

Title: Re: Bike pulls to left
Post by IslandRoad on 01/07/19 at 12:39:49

Hi Eau,

I had a similar situation with my bike. I also know for a fact that the previous owner dropped the bike on its left side, while stationary. Also I've changed my handlebars a few times and have had 'fun' getting the new one's straight when fitting them.

One thing I can add is that there is a little bit of play created by the rubber mounts on the handlebar clamps. I've found it useful at times, especially when installing bars, to keep checking that the bars are in line (and tweaking the position), as I tighten the bolts on the clamps.

Good luck with it.

Title: Re: Bike pulls to left
Post by eau de sauvage on 01/20/19 at 15:36:32

4A717C6B7A766D6B7078756A190 wrote:

Loosen the lower pinch bolts, stand in front of the bike with the wheel/tire between your knees and grab the handlebars......twist in the direction you want to correct the steering....then tighten the lower pinch bolts. (I never have had to loosen the stem nut to get the forks straight - but you might check and make sure it is tight after you get things straight).

It may take a few tries to get it right.

Dave, you are talking about the lower triple tree pinch bolts?

Title: Re: Bike pulls to left
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/20/19 at 16:41:31

How would it be Possible to align the lower forks WITHOUT loosening the LOWER pinch bolts?

Ohhh, clue number one

Loosen the lower pinch bolts,

For the needy

Loosen the lower pinch bolts,