Fork damage after collision
11-08-2017, 06:31 PM
#1
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 271
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?
11-08-2017, 07:13 PM
#2
evil man of nothing
MotoGP
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Boynton Beach, FL
Posts: 4,484
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).
11-08-2017, 07:25 PM
#3
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
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.
11-09-2017, 11:56 AM
#4
VTR virgin
Superstock
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 446
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.
11-09-2017, 03:50 PM
#7
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Posts: 5,072
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
11-09-2017, 08:03 PM
#8
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 271
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?
11-09-2017, 08:33 PM
#9
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11-25-2017, 04:54 PM
#12
evil man of nothing
MotoGP
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Boynton Beach, FL
Posts: 4,484
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; 11-25-2017 at 05:06 PM.
11-26-2017, 07:00 AM
#14
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Posts: 5,072
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.
11-27-2017, 11:29 AM
#15
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 2,312
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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