I noticed the front end on the bike seems to sit rather low. And at low-speed braking, I noticed there seems to be no rebound. Pushing the nose of the bike down, it stays whereever it reaches, it doesn't bound back. The same for pulling it up. The only time I've seen shocks or struts do this on cars/trucks is when they're made for drag racing, or off-road use...

So I'm assuming my forks need some work...maybe low on oil? There are no oil stains down them like theyve been leaking...however the right-side seal has a gouge/cut in it, almost looks like somebody hammered a screwdriver into it and tried to pry it up.

 

Sounds bent. The problem you described is not caused by fluids or springs or settings. Used bike? Recent problem?

 

Used bike, been laid down several times by the previous owner. Bike tracks straight, bars are even so I didn't consider that it might've had a bent fork...that's a good point though, I wonder if it might be binding up.

 

Doesn't take much.

 

Think it's a safety concern? Bike rides fine down the road and seems to handle okay aside from the trashed front tire.

 

Yes, it's a safety concern. Take your bike in to a shop or send the forks off to a good suspension shop, have them check the runout and the bushings. More than likely if the bike has been down "several times" then there are front end issues.

 

If you tubes are not bent too badly they might be able to be straightened. I've used the Frame Man in California before with really good results.

 

I'm getting 2 tires shortly, so I'll just have them check the front-end out while it's there and see what they can do for me. Damn, I'm running out of money real fast...

 

A front end that doesn't work is a safety concern. It affects handling, braking and steering.

Fork tubes can easily be straightened if they are not crimped or cracked and the plating is intact. Consider it.