Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
bending forks, ok or disastrous? bending forks, ok or disastrous?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: turin, italy
Posts: 32
bending forks, ok or disastrous?
there i was lazering a beautiful italian girl on the roadside with my eyes whilst she was climbing into her fiat 500, when wham, i hit the back of a car.

stupid mistake. the result being that my front forks are bent. slightly. it was'nt a heavy crash. took it to me mechanic and he said that they can be bent back into shape easily and that they would be fine. just like brand new. apparently

well, i have my doubts. my tech document mentioned that one shouldnt bend them back.

what would you guys suggest? i am leaving in october for a massive trek down to cape town south africa, from italy. so i need to the bike to be perfect.

should i bend them or buy new ones? bending them will set me back 200 euros and i dont even want to know what buying new ones would cost me. safety comes first however.

hope you can help.
robin
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: turin, italy
Posts: 32
heres the warning...
well its written here. but i suppose i have to see if the inner tube is bent. i presume it is.
Attached Thumbnails
bending forks, ok or disastrous?-fork-warning.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Brum
Posts: 44
Depends how bent is bent.

I had some straightened on a Guzzi T3. They were maybe 2-3 degrees from straight. The guy centered them in a lathe and use some kind of of press to get them trued up. It worked, they were fine. If it's a serious bend so the tubes are no longer round in section but gone oval at the bend it sounds improbable that they could be fixed. If it were me I'd say little bend OK, big bend no-way Jose.

Are the forks actually bent or just got twisted up in the yokes? Sometimes this makes them look bent when all that is happened is the forks are no longer parallel because the upper and lower yokes (triple clamps if you are from America) are no longer in line. If it's not obvious the only real test is to take the forks to bits and place the stanchions side by side and see if you can see daylight between them as you roll them together. If you can, they are bent.

At the end of the day it's your call as peace of mind is important, as in fact are your forks come to think of it..

Was she worth the hassle?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 May 2007
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickg View Post
Are the forks actually bent or just got twisted up in the yokes?

This happened to me when I hit the back of a van in Romania. I thought it was new forks time but on closer inspection it turned out it was just the legs twisted in the yokes. I just loosened the bolts, straightened them by eye and have been riding on them ever since with no prblems as yet. I'm glad this question came up as I'd forgotten all about it! Should reall y inspect thyem properly at some point to make sure they are OK!

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 May 2007
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Umtentweni, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa
Posts: 182
check ebay
Hi Robin,

if it is a XT 600 fork should be very easy and cheap to get some 2nd hand ones by ebay.

I have at least 3 pairs to much !!!!!!! But unfortuneatly I have them at my home in South Africa :-(

regards

Thomas

www.600.xt.ms - WEB.DE MyPage
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 May 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Lavernat
Posts: 2
Smile Forks
Hi,
Im new on the site,I ride a Kawasaki ZX6R,before hand I had a Honda xr125 for 2years...It was the bike from hell.I got reversed into 3time parked at different houses I worked in.My forks at first were straightened as I could'nt get the lady to pay up.So we did a job on it(my dad and me).After that my garage did bend them back..then I had new ones,Thanks to a landrover!I had the same feeling you do..but I must say mine were fine.I would'nt bend them more than twice!I do think after that they are more likely to be goners.Do check your oil in them as they can leak!

Michelle
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: turin, italy
Posts: 32
thanks a million
hey all

thanks a million for everyones replies! yeah will take them a part first to see if they are just twisted in the yokes. it wasnt a heavy crash. the bend is minimal and definitly not a creased bend. will hold em up side by side and then send them in to be bent striaght if needs be.

my father sugessted taking them into the university to see if they have got metal fatigue. might do that as well.

thanks again everyone!

robin
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 28
Robin, an answer!!!
Was she worth it..

Seriously I've bent a 2 pairs of forks on different bikes (never run up the back of anyone) always some stupid accident on the dirt.
I had both sets straightened by the pros. Although I'm a trades person and therefore trained to perform such procedures, I would suggest taking to someone (not a general garage) to have them checked and straightened.
Often they bend up near the bottom triple clamp. Although this is good as it won't effect the function of the inner moving in the outer but they are therefore prone to creasing at this point. Also a very small bend this high up can have a significant effect.
Although this is no sure test. if you let go of the handle bars (at a low speed) does the bike stay in a straight line, do you have to lean to one side to keep it in a straight line??
If both forks are bent equally the bike may stay straight..
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: turin, italy
Posts: 32
stripped
hi all, stripped them down, reoiled them and in the end couldnt see then bend at all. they might just have been twisted in the yokes.

anyway.... might take the bike in to someone and ask em if they see anything wrong with the forks.

thanks for all your help!

r
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Forks oil x Dakar, advice needed Dodgydago BMW Tech 4 9 Feb 2007 09:59
Oil For Forks for XRV 750 mauro Honda Tech 4 11 Apr 2005 16:12
bent forks codyblake Kawasaki Tech 3 21 Feb 2005 00:02
Front forks oil leak x2 bikes mjriden KTM Tech 3 27 May 2003 21:44
forks binding kevin johnson KTM Tech 0 12 Apr 2003 15:53

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:52.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top