Fork damage after collision
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THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
From: Houston TX
Fork damage after collision
How likely is it the forks could be damaged after a collision at about 25 mph with a car? hard enough to break the car's wheel assembly. I haven't riden it yet, still working on getting it running. But it looks like it could be bent a little, tho Its hard to tell, and hoping maybe the wheel bent instead. But pushing it forward doesn't feel much wrong, but when I look at it, it does look kind of bent. Maybe it'll straighten itself out when riding and taking some dips and ups n downs? Maybe its time to get that upgrade rebuild I've been reading about so much on here haha. Any ideas or suggestions on what I need to look at or feel for?
evil man of nothing
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,516
From: Boynton Beach, FL
I don't know if anything is going to "straighten itself out when riding." If it's not already obvious just by looking at it take the fork tubes out and put a metal straightedge again it. Slowly spin the tube while holding the straightedge flush against it. I mean if you want it perfect and want to be do it the correct, scientific way find a GMD Computrack or MegaMAX frame measuring place near you. A 25mph collision with a car? That's a pretty hard shot. Maybe you got lucky (well if you're walking around you already did) but yeah you probably bent them and the lower triple. Also inspect the front frame weld too as those are notorious for cracking in collisions (I actually managed to completely rip the front portion of my frame off years ago).
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Yeah I'll agree if you didn't bend them then that's a one in a million collision. One way is to put the bike on a front end stand that holds it from the lower triple. Remove the front wheel & fender. Loosen all triple bolts and slowly rotate the tubes in the triples and see if they are bent.
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Slightly bent fork tubes can be straightened by professionals for not much money, as long as they are not creased. IIRC I paid $40 a side to get tubes straightened, they work just like new now.
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,213
From: Gettysburg, Pa
Try here. Erik is a mod here on the forum and you can trust his work.
https://roadtrippers.com/us/kempner-...7188513343&z=5
https://roadtrippers.com/us/kempner-...7188513343&z=5
Thread Starter
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
From: Houston TX
Try here. Erik is a mod here on the forum and you can trust his work.
https://roadtrippers.com/us/kempner-...7188513343&z=5
https://roadtrippers.com/us/kempner-...7188513343&z=5
I know there was a guy here that rebuilt the forks into track worthy stuff. Is he still here as well?
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,213
From: Gettysburg, Pa
evil man of nothing
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,516
From: Boynton Beach, FL
If it "looks kinda bent" it is. Anything's possible but you're probably reaching after a "collision at 25 mph with a car hard enough to break the car's wheel assembly." Not meaning to sound like a jerk but instead of wondering and wondering just take it apart and you'll know for sure. It's not difficult and as was said you'll be able to see pretty easily by simply spinning the fork in the triple or if you want to take it out and spin it and/or put a straight edge on it. If either or both forks are bent there's also a pretty good chance you'll have a bent lower triple as well. As I may have already stated also check the weld at the neck on the frame. If you're uncomfortable doing it yourself google GMD Computrack near you and take it to them. Not worth riding around on a bent bike. The good news is (especially if you do the work yourself) it shouldn't be TERRIBLY expensive to fix. Either way trust me from experience anything is ok regarding any motorcycle accident where you walk away. Period.
Last edited by captainchaos; Nov 25, 2017 at 05:06 PM.
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,213
From: Gettysburg, Pa
Remove them from the bike and when you pull the upper out, use a know flat surface and roll them on it. You'll find out very quickly. Glass works great. We're not looking for a .00x measurement here, but it will point out a bend. If it's tweaked, it needs replaced or you will eat bushings for breakfast, lunch and dinner (+desert)! If the spot will go across your seals, you'll trash them quickly too.
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,312
From: Brookfield, WI
Is it possibly that your tripples are just skewed a bit? For example, is the wheel pointed straight, but the clipons are pointed a little to the left or right? If so, it's an easy fix.
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