How To Straighten A Twisted Motorcycle Fork | The Shop Manual

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  • Опубліковано 23 гру 2022
  • Get 25% off a new pocketknife at kershaw.kaiusa.com/ with code KNIFE25.
    So you had a tip over or a low-speed crash on your motorcycle, and now your bike’s front end is twisted and the bars look bent. Don’t worry, straightening things out is easier than you might think, and we’ll show you how to do it in this episode of The Shop Manual.
    Learn more about straightening your motorcycle’s front end at Common Tread rvz.la/3PT6gbr
    If you’re ready to tackle straightening your forks, you’ll need one of these! rvz.la/3jkTnuy
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 222

  • @adammoore9088
    @adammoore9088 Рік тому +646

    You mean I'm not supposed to just hold the front wheel between my knees and turn the handlebars as hard as I physically can while trying not to throw out my back? 😮

    • @christopherking2012
      @christopherking2012 Рік тому +70

      Worked well enough for me, I'm only gunna drop it again anyway.

    • @AriH211
      @AriH211 Рік тому +35

      That's a pretty common method for off-road riders addressing a twisted fork on the trail.

    • @richardahola692
      @richardahola692 Рік тому +2

      I use a 2x4

    • @ilham7345
      @ilham7345 Рік тому

      it works for non long ass fork tube like on a scooter or c-series derivatives

    • @56Spookdog
      @56Spookdog Рік тому +17

      That and a wall to bump the wheel against are preferred methods.

  • @daniellandry9366
    @daniellandry9366 Рік тому +206

    there isnt enough of this guy on youtube on a regular basis. Ari is one of a kind.

    • @esatd34
      @esatd34 Рік тому +1

      he knows his stuff for sure

    • @ironhorsegladiator5034
      @ironhorsegladiator5034 Рік тому +3

      Motorcycle Dealers/Stealers are all filling bankruptcy because of his great Shop Manual Videos. 🤣

    • @lathanwalley
      @lathanwalley Рік тому

      @@ironhorsegladiator5034 akio wow good night

    • @MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC
      @MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC 6 місяців тому

      @@ironhorsegladiator5034A dealship would only charge $899.00 to do this. :-)

  • @Timbhu
    @Timbhu Рік тому +48

    Always a pleasure to attend Mr.Henning's class

  • @iam7f
    @iam7f Рік тому +18

    I watched all your clips, you are a really lovely person, no one gives a summary of the explanation like you, keep going

    • @ironhorsegladiator5034
      @ironhorsegladiator5034 Рік тому

      Dealers/Stealers are all filling bankruptcy because of all his great Shop Manual Videos. 🤣

  • @beborodner930
    @beborodner930 Рік тому +67

    More Arie and Zack episodes please!!
    Both of these guys are like the Top Gear of Motorcycle reviews!!
    And don't get me wrong.. I absolutely love these shop episodes.. they need to stay too.. :)

    • @mangoslice6319
      @mangoslice6319 Рік тому +2

      We should get a top gear like show(the British one) with Zack and Ari 🙌🏽 I’d watch it

    • @coastaku1954
      @coastaku1954 9 місяців тому

      No no no, Zack, Ari and RyanF9 from Fortnine, THEN we will have the Top Gear of Motorcycle reviews! Zack would be James May, Ari would be Richard Hammond and RyanF9 would be Jeremy Clarkson

  • @elindenstein
    @elindenstein Рік тому +16

    Dropped my bike about 10,000x on the WABDR and IDBDR in August and my handlebars were all jacked. This has to be one of the first times that I've tried to fix something on my bike and it was drama-free and correct the first time. Thank you!

  • @josephreisinger33
    @josephreisinger33 Рік тому +16

    Words to live by. If you want your motorcycle to go do the road straight, make sure everything IS straight!!
    Thank you Sir and have a merry Christmas 🎅

  • @k1llersm0ke32
    @k1llersm0ke32 Рік тому +10

    This guy is awesome! He explains things so well, I don’t own a bike or work on one but if I bought one the other day and had this happen to me, without knowing much I am pretty confident I’d be able to fix the problem with his play by play breakdown!
    Finally a person that made a “how to” video that actually makes sense.
    Most are made for people in mind then already know what they’re doing, they do not explain much and skip over important things not everyone knows

  • @Jack-ny7kn
    @Jack-ny7kn Рік тому +4

    This was extremely well done. I couldn't find any good videos explaining how to align a mtb downhill fork, and I thought okay it's fundamentally the same as a motorcycle fork so why not. And now I'm golden. My bike feels better than it ever has.

  • @dukie1616
    @dukie1616 Рік тому +19

    These videos are always helpful and done well too. Really wish they aired weekly though, that would be quite nice. Anyway thank you and keep up the good work👏

  • @countryjoe3551
    @countryjoe3551 11 місяців тому +2

    Ari, I have shared this video twice in the last couple of weeks with 2 riders on FB forums who were asking how to straighten out their tweaked forks. Both of them declared success in getting their stuff straightened back out by following your tutorial. I could tell them how to do the job but you do a superlative job of showing them how to do it. Hopefully these guys will subscribe and continue their moto repair education. Myself, I'm looking forward to the next ASMR rebuild video.

  • @BrickHouseBuilds
    @BrickHouseBuilds Рік тому +4

    Great video as always!

  • @sandersondan
    @sandersondan 4 місяці тому

    Thanks a million, I love simple straightforward instructions like this without any corny time wasting distractions. Great job

  • @palonoctisursa
    @palonoctisursa Рік тому +6

    I almost cried when I saw this video, I thought I destroyed the front forks of my motorcycle. I thought I would need to shell out hundreds of dollars for replacement parts.

  • @mparsons7737
    @mparsons7737 Рік тому +3

    Love to see more of these, Prof Henning. Merry Christmas 🎅🏼! Thanks !

  • @lazartsaprev2580
    @lazartsaprev2580 Рік тому +2

    This is a nice Christmas present

  • @laillahilaallah001
    @laillahilaallah001 Рік тому +7

    Been waiting for this. Thank you ari for everything you do

  • @JCrozier1
    @JCrozier1 Рік тому +2

    Thanks Ari! Have a great holiday.

  • @AxelBergander
    @AxelBergander Рік тому +10

    I learned not to trust the markings at the rear wheel axle. Looking at you, KTM!
    I straighten the wheel with a chainlaser (pew! Pew!) and adjust the markings on one side accordingly.

    • @mk11981198
      @mk11981198 Рік тому

      Its much easier with ordinary plank.

  • @VoLuTheR
    @VoLuTheR Рік тому +2

    Right video at the right time, literally yesterday I had my first High-side on the track, and twisted my front forks

  • @Jaffa1951
    @Jaffa1951 Рік тому +4

    Great video, as always Ari. I have learned lot from watching these.

  • @alexgere529
    @alexgere529 Рік тому +3

    Ari and Zack the best on YT👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

  • @BlockCylinder
    @BlockCylinder Рік тому +1

    I really needed this video a year ago, and two years ago, and three years ago, and four years ago.

  • @bananafoneable
    @bananafoneable Рік тому +1

    You saved me a grand by doing this myself.
    I got into a low speed crash and my rotor got bent and the alignment was totally jacked. After replacing the rotor, something wasn't right. I didn't feel like I was going straight. I was able to loosen the bolts and jump on it a few times and now it feels much better.

  • @gregshamieh6339
    @gregshamieh6339 8 місяців тому

    Recently acquired an F800 GSA that the previous owner had dropped -- his assessment of the front end resulted in buying it for an 'I Stole It' price.
    Twenty minutes with tools and your process put everything back as it should be -- the bike went from a tad unpredictable on loose surfaces -- following trail camber, etc -- to railing.
    Can't thank you enough, Ari!

  • @c920mrc
    @c920mrc 4 дні тому

    Great tutorial, concise and to the point 👏👏👏

  • @zeljkomadzo614
    @zeljkomadzo614 Рік тому +3

    These videos are GOLD! Thank you, have the same problem on a brand new from the dealer... Yeah they missed that and I felt something was odd but didn´t find out before until som days after.

  • @user-vd7ef9vu2j
    @user-vd7ef9vu2j Рік тому +2

    perfect timing on this one. Thanks Ari

  • @1993whitenoise
    @1993whitenoise Місяць тому

    Ari your the best! Thank you for all the videos you’ve made.

  • @RVAMotorsports
    @RVAMotorsports Рік тому +4

    Holy cow this was helpful! Maybe now my Dyna won't feel like it's going down the road sideways!

  • @seamonkey2010
    @seamonkey2010 Місяць тому

    So glad you made this channel, dude!

  • @murraehaynes3182
    @murraehaynes3182 Рік тому +3

    Nicely done…Merry Christmas 👍🏼

  • @jasondunn8894
    @jasondunn8894 8 місяців тому

    This is just what I needed after coming of my bike of road. Thanks guys

  • @KakuiKujira
    @KakuiKujira Рік тому

    Great explanations. You know how things got wrong, how to fix it, and why you do things in X manner.

  • @duncanrasey5413
    @duncanrasey5413 Рік тому +1

    Awesome video! Thanks for the clear and concise information.

  • @robertemmons2260
    @robertemmons2260 11 місяців тому

    Thanks for the tips, Ari.
    I had searched on here to align motorcycle forks, and your video was the first one suggested. I purchased my 2017 Indian Chieftain used last December, and it seems that it's not tracking properly. It seems just a bit off. I thought that it was my forks, but your tip at 4:35 to check the rear wheel alignment was something that I hadn't considered but made sense. If I remember correctly, I believe that you had posted a video on belt drive tension and alignment. Yes, after a quick search, you did. It was done on that subject five years ago.
    Thanks, Arizona, for another great video.
    Now to go outside and check out that rear wheel alignment.

  • @thebayleaf221
    @thebayleaf221 Рік тому +2

    Badly needed this video. Thanks a lot!

  • @jhooton75
    @jhooton75 Рік тому +10

    As you probably know, at least on the Versys, the hash marks on the rear swing arm aren't exact. For the rear, I really recommend getting an alignment tool to check that the rear wheel is straight. Just one of them that clamps to the sprocket and has a metal rod that points down the chain works well. The hash marks on my Versys are almost one full mark off.

    • @AriH211
      @AriH211 Рік тому +4

      Absolutely. Reference lines on the swingarm are just that - references. But it's an easy visual check before you start diving into loosening front-end parts.

    • @alanhardy3374
      @alanhardy3374 Рік тому

      I always use kite string to check the alignment

  • @andreasbeaufort3594
    @andreasbeaufort3594 Рік тому +4

    These videos are SO GOOD I often feel I could become a mechanic just by watching them. Thanks, Ari!

  • @Tracer9GTRider8
    @Tracer9GTRider8 10 місяців тому

    Great video! Sure beats make a tweak, go for a ride, repeat until it feels right. Use this technique, torque everything, and go for a ride!

  • @gokulhari9403
    @gokulhari9403 Місяць тому

    Wow. Nice vedio. Clear explanation.
    My bike was recently crashed and the frok was twisted. I dont know how to solve this my own and dont know what is the procedure. This vedio reallly helped me. Thanks a lot. I thought it was hard to fix. Now my fear was reduced. I will try to fix my bike by myself.

  • @theEHWAZ
    @theEHWAZ Рік тому +1

    Very helpful! I had to recently bump mine up against a tree to straighten it while out on the trail but need to properly align it.

  • @RevZilla
    @RevZilla  Рік тому +9

    Learn more about straightening your motorcycle’s front end at Common Tread rvz.la/3I70ZeE
    Riding an off-road bike or ADV? RevZilla has a fork-alignment tool to help ensure your fork legs are parallel: rvz.la/3WEtgwZ

    • @xorbe2
      @xorbe2 Рік тому

      This doesn't actually redirect back to your on-site article.

    • @justinheard5954
      @justinheard5954 Рік тому

      Allie just took my time and took him get me like a block of wood and chain didn't figure out whether damn bottle jack take your bottle jack and straighten pretty good y'all talk a bit like a tobacco card in about 82 bent like Ben like freaking folded up under there looking like a d rate

    • @yurgon
      @yurgon 3 місяці тому

      @@justinheard5954 voice to text? because your statement doesn't make much sense. Are you saying to use a bottle jack and strapped 2x4's to straighten a bent fork?

  • @morto6876
    @morto6876 11 місяців тому

    Thanks! Helped with motorized MTB!!!

  • @nazhif1
    @nazhif1 Рік тому +2

    what a coincidence. I just had a low side literally yesterday on track. Gonna try this & hope I didn't bent my forks

  • @daveyt4802
    @daveyt4802 Рік тому +1

    Nice topic! Next go over rear wheel steering and alignment.

  • @cpuuk
    @cpuuk Рік тому +1

    Nice. Merry Christmas.

  • @ShiningQuasar13
    @ShiningQuasar13 11 місяців тому +1

    Nice.
    My bike was on the front stand only as I couldn't get the tire bead to set. Eventually it tipped onto the stand, so it was only on one fork. So it might be misaligned or bent in the front. But good to know it could be the back. Was going to double check the chain tension as there was no marking to measure from on my R6 so I may as well double check the lines, especially if I end up adjusting it.

  • @yiannishayabusaofficial
    @yiannishayabusaofficial Рік тому +2

    AWESOME VIDEO AMAZING FANTASTIC ! ! ! ! !

  • @TwoWheeledHepkat
    @TwoWheeledHepkat Рік тому +2

    I've tweaked my frontend out on the trail. If you just kick the front wheel hard enough it usually straightens it out. Or at least straight enough to get back to the trailer with all your tools.

  • @jaimeromangil7239
    @jaimeromangil7239 Рік тому +2

    great video, from SPAIN

  • @freaksarena8306
    @freaksarena8306 Рік тому

    The last tip helped me with the issue i was having🖤

  • @js3301
    @js3301 Місяць тому

    Thanks, good video. Helped me!

  • @molallamerica896
    @molallamerica896 Рік тому +2

    More, please.

  • @tejaspadhye
    @tejaspadhye Рік тому +3

    for aligning the rear end of the bike, note that most bikes dont have exact demarcations. You might want to use a measure tool or alignment tool specific for this purpose.

  • @Drumm3rboygaming
    @Drumm3rboygaming Місяць тому

    This video saved me from a nervous breakdown!

  • @SverreValkenburg
    @SverreValkenburg Рік тому +1

    I thought for a second it was the motorcycle (Alaska) form itchy boots. Great video.

  • @leftymike8730
    @leftymike8730 Рік тому +4

    I noticed the fork stem nut was not torqued, is that typical? Will over or under tightening that affect fall away?

  • @brandonbdl
    @brandonbdl 11 місяців тому

    Dude, awesome video. Thanks

  • @southbayla3137
    @southbayla3137 11 місяців тому

    Thank you for this videos. Hopefully this will help most people with motorcycles and can ams

  • @j.r.2353
    @j.r.2353 Рік тому

    Thanks a lot for this

  • @enhinyerorider5914
    @enhinyerorider5914 Рік тому +1

    Darn it! I really need to start looking for the giant hex axle driver and torque wrench for my bike. Its really the only thing holding me back DIY activities on the front of my bike. Wish it was easy to get proper tools in my country because as they say, “use the right tools for the right job”.

  • @jamescavanagh9276
    @jamescavanagh9276 Рік тому +1

    Great video as always from Ari

  • @Denvr2
    @Denvr2 Рік тому +1

    This helped me out a lot, noticed my wheel off center from my forks last ride and was thinking I bent them!

  • @corso2909
    @corso2909 5 місяців тому

    Thank you!

  • @leslieaustin151
    @leslieaustin151 Рік тому +1

    All good stuff and perfect advice. However, when you buy front forks and top and bottom yokes (“triple-trees” to you USA folks) off eBay, and the front spindle will NOT come into line, well, you might, like me, be dealing with a bent bottom yoke (triple-tree [funny name]). It took a powerful gas blow-torch to fix that one! Les in UK

  • @austinbarrett9613
    @austinbarrett9613 Рік тому +4

    Why loosen the fork guards? @1:23

  • @NorthWestMotos
    @NorthWestMotos Рік тому +1

    If I am trailside, I use my boot and kick the wheel straight. The tip at the end of the video was solid gold.

  • @dirgharajshrestha
    @dirgharajshrestha Рік тому +2

    I just kicked the wheel from side holding the bars, it worked fine. 😂

  • @fire.smok3
    @fire.smok3 8 місяців тому

    Thx for this

  • @thinkdunson
    @thinkdunson Рік тому +1

    you're the man, Ari.
    oh, hey, since i've got your attention... WE NEED MORE CTXP.
    is there anywhere i can join a subscription or patreon to make that happen? i'm already subbed to RPM... what i mean is something specific to CTXP; not some general RevZilla thing. make it happen, and i'll be on board. you guys are awesome.
    and maybe find a way to bring Spurge and even Lemmy along on one of them. that would be epic.

  • @DmitriyAdv
    @DmitriyAdv Рік тому +1

    Some bikes (KTM dirt/enduro bikes for example) have the top steering stem nut preload the bearing instead of having a collar under the top triple clamp. So you don’t want to loosen that on those.

  • @quintontaylor7858
    @quintontaylor7858 Рік тому +1

    I respect they have the harbor freight $60 torque wrench

  • @bradleyhall4637
    @bradleyhall4637 9 місяців тому

    Been thinking my front forks are tweaked lately. Sorta look out or alignment. I might give this a try now that I have a front wheel chock and can easily build a center stand for under the frame

  • @someguyontheinternet7165
    @someguyontheinternet7165 19 днів тому

    Very useful information as I may or may not have yeeted my mt09 while doing rolling burn outs in a yard.
    Any chance you guys can bring someone on to demonstrate some paint less dent removal on a gas tank too. 😅

  • @user-fs6my6jv7n
    @user-fs6my6jv7n Рік тому

    that’s great! Thx !❤❤

  • @Hey_zues420
    @Hey_zues420 Рік тому

    Could also be fork oil to low or to old. I reported axles, bearings, steering head bearing, wheels, new tires, spokes. Then i rebuilt my forks with seals and bushings and was still riding like crap. Took the fork tubes completely off and measured how much oil was in each tube and they were not even close to recommended level. Put in more form oil in each tube and back together. Now it rides like a dream

  • @love4boost
    @love4boost Рік тому

    This is perfect. My bike has been sitting on the rear stand out of alignment since my accident

  • @andyincalimoto843
    @andyincalimoto843 Рік тому

    for a while I thought I had twisted forks, cause my right handle bar appeared more forward than the left. after trying this method I remembered that the previous owner to my bike had dropped it in a low speed fall. in fact probably at a stand still. that fall was strong enough to put a bend on the right handle bar. im happy to know it wasn't my forks. for now I can ride with the handle bar I have but I will want to get that replaced eventually. bend is just visually noticeable but it doesn't affect my ability to push\pull to turn.

  • @motodna8988
    @motodna8988 Рік тому

    Nice info bro I have this problem on my fz25 not even my local mechanic is able to recognise the problem

  • @michaelgilliar56
    @michaelgilliar56 4 місяці тому

    So when do you fully tighten the top triple nut? Before or after everything (forks etc) are tightened.

  • @benn2026
    @benn2026 Рік тому

    I don’t have a great space to work on my bike at the moment, and recently had to take it to a shop to replace the chain and sprockets (Woulda done it myself, but all I’ve got is a parking space on a hill, and no center stand). When I got the bike back from the shop, I could see that there was something funky going on with the alignment, as when I was going straight, the speedometer was at an angle, and one of my arms was extended just slightly more than the other. I’ve never crashed, and don’t recall hitting anything. At first I thought it was the rear end, since the hash marks on the swingarm weren’t aligned. I readjusted (I found that the shop had over-torqued my axle but as well) but the issue remained. The tires are nearing the end of their usability, but aren’t quite there yet. I’m thinking maybe the shop wasn’t very gentle with the bike, and hit it on something, throwing off the forks?

  • @xxshiftlockxx
    @xxshiftlockxx 2 місяці тому

    With the upper triple clamp pinch bolts still tight, how will the forks rotate inside the clamps to straighten everything out?

  • @michalszwed18
    @michalszwed18 Рік тому

    Thanks Arie! My brand new Honda CB500X have its heendlebar of center when riding straight and i can't fix that , the dealer cant fix it cuz he thinks its ok :) Rear is ok , front was loosen and tighten few times , but i didint loosen the main head bolt , maybe i will try like you showed , all except the top clamp. Or the handlebar is bend "OEM way" :P

  • @TheCvac
    @TheCvac 6 місяців тому

    On my Ducati the "top nut" is also used as a bearing preload adjuster,which is held by a small clamp at the top with an allen key Should i just unscrew the allen bolt in this case or the preload adjuster? The nut I am talking about is full with 8 holes,typical on most ducatis

  • @jerrybaldwin7543
    @jerrybaldwin7543 Рік тому +1

    Wack it up against a tree 😂HELL YEAH BROTHER

  • @Dan-56
    @Dan-56 Рік тому +1

    I have found with age, arthritis, and carpal tunnel, my “calibrated hands” are nowhere close anymore 😆. The torque wrench is my friend 😉👍.

  • @cavesuki8510
    @cavesuki8510 Рік тому +1

    What about a handlebar that is bent inwards from one side by 3mm?

  • @Marco16642
    @Marco16642 Рік тому

    Will the bike handle the same after the fix or the precision of an untouched fork, steering will be gone ?

  • @Dowent
    @Dowent Рік тому

    Ari is working on CRF 300, before we saw an old 80s dual sport with Zack, any chance the new CTXP will be old vs new dual sport?

  • @PsychoSainten
    @PsychoSainten 7 місяців тому

    I hmm i wonder if my issue is related to this. When i bought my bike the seal was leaking on the fork so we changed them but after reinstallation when i sit on the bike its fine but if i lean forward and put weight on the bike the front drops an extra 2 inches lower than it should its either i didnt cycle the air out enough or maybe i pinched the forks during installation? Just thinking out loud here they have ddc's aswell the bike is a dr650 i rode the bike all summer its just that its annoying and cant figure out what it could be if anyone knows lmk.

  • @hks6546
    @hks6546 Рік тому

    If after this process the wheel is still pointing one side, you can assume a fork leg is bent?

  • @Tiny_69
    @Tiny_69 Рік тому

    so can I remove top 2 screw at the same time? (not loosening other bolts up)
    Cause the windshield bracket will be mounted right there (Triumph Trident 660)
    Thanks in advance

  • @Navillus2273
    @Navillus2273 6 місяців тому

    I have completed all the above steps, still out of alignment. I can move the bars straight when the front wheel is locked between my legs, however, as soon as I release the pressure the bars and wheels move out of alignment. How do I troubleshoot what could be bent? Is it possible the lower steering bracket could be bent?

  • @ironhorsegladiator5034
    @ironhorsegladiator5034 Рік тому

    Motorcycle Dealers/Stealers are all filling bankruptcy because of all your great Shop Manual Videos. 🤣

  • @paksilori
    @paksilori 8 місяців тому

    I took off the top steering stem nut completely by accident and the bike started sliding down, catch it but now it’s like 1inch down… how can I compress back to put the nut back?

  • @Cheezeball99999
    @Cheezeball99999 Місяць тому

    Any chance we've got a 2024 Kershaw discount code?

  • @metalsadman
    @metalsadman Рік тому

    need to try this and friggin align my bike, really bothering me that it isn't dead center :x, need to buy some tools first.

  • @just_guy4501
    @just_guy4501 Рік тому +1

    My bike veers off to the right when I let go of both hands, what could be a reason for it?

  • @bigred8438
    @bigred8438 Рік тому

    Does the Kershaw knife come in an Australian size?