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Author Topic: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment  (Read 6394 times)

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vagabond6542

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Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« on: April 20, 2008, 05:38:32 PM »

OK, I know that there are some frame and engine gearheads out there. But did you know that Harley-Davidson in its 2007 Harley-Davidson Service Manual 99483-07 hasn't a clear cut procedure to determine if a Triple Tree and fork tubes are out of alignment or damaged.  I've pressed this question to Customer Service at MOCO, and they will cite the Service Manual.
Here is the out come of such a problem.  You will be left to the subjective perception of the Service Department of whatever Dealership you have had the work done.  If improperly diagnosed or repaired, you could or will become an accident whether you intended to or not. I know, I narrowly escaped one. The bike is back in the shop.  This is a safety issue, not a rideability one. Your suggestions could be appreciated.
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DCFIREMANN

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2008, 06:48:58 PM »

Has the bike ever been wrecked????

There is one member on here that does know all about alignment. I will call him and get him to look at this thread.

Be Safe

THE DAWG
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hd-dude

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2008, 08:15:07 PM »

There are specialty shops that do verify tree alignment. We have one of the best shops here in CA called "The Frame Man" http://www.motorcycleframeman.com/

They have done many repairs and frame jobs for me. Always perfect work.

For the fork tubes you can check them yourself with a pair of V blocks and a dial indicator.

vagabond6542

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2008, 11:53:54 PM »

There are specialty shops that do verify tree alignment. We have one of the best shops here in CA called "The Frame Man" http://www.motorcycleframeman.com/

They have done many repairs and frame jobs for me. Always perfect work.

For the fork tubes you can check them yourself with a pair of V blocks and a dial indicator.

Do they have a "set in stone" procedure that they could give someone? :nixweiss: ???

The job being done is an insurance job on my "Smurf".  :nervous:
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DCFIREMANN

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2008, 06:07:25 AM »

HAS THE BIKE EVER BEEN WRECKED??????? Did you buy it new???????

You need a frame jig to make repairs to the frame.

Be Safe

THE DAWG
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vagabond6542

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2008, 12:25:34 AM »

HAS THE BIKE EVER BEEN WRECKED??????? Did you buy it new???????

You need a frame jig to make repairs to the frame.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

The Dawg,

The bike has been bought new, it went through a very rough Emergency-Stop-Drop routine.
It almost did a wheels up, but cradle most of the force between the handle bars and the front wheel.
The subjective perception of all that have looked at it was, it's OK. But the fairing was off to the right and the wheel was a little off to the left.
I finally got Winchester, through a little convincing, to totally re-align the front and the triple tree.
Customer service in Milwaukee hasn't any real procedure to determine if a front end is out of alignment.
I don't think the frame got hurt in any way.

Ride Safe,

George
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hd-dude

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2008, 12:34:53 AM »

The Dawg,

The bike has been bought new, it went through a very rough Emergency-Stop-Drop routine.
It almost did a wheels up, but cradle most of the force between the handle bars and the front wheel.
The subjective perception of all that have looked at it was, it's OK. But the fairing was off to the right and the wheel was a little off to the left.
I finally got Winchester, through a little convincing, to totally re-align the front and the triple tree.
Customer service in Milwaukee hasn't any real procedure to determine if a front end is out of alignment.
I don't think the frame got hurt in any way.

Ride Safe,

George

George;
I have done several crash repairs and can tell you that if the fork legs and or tree's got bent I would bet that the frame is also bent at the neck. Also assuming the crash bar took a hit it "helps" the frame bend at the neck. If its an insurance job INSIST that it be inspected by a frame specialist.

VAZHOG

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2008, 10:41:23 AM »

George;
I have done several crash repairs and can tell you that if the fork legs and or tree's got bent I would bet that the frame is also bent at the neck. Also assuming the crash bar took a hit it "helps" the frame bend at the neck. If its an insurance job INSIST that it be inspected by a frame specialist.

Very sound advise  :2vrolijk_21:
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Dan_Lockwood

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Re: Triple Tree Damage & Alignment
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2008, 02:02:57 PM »

OK, I know that there are some frame and engine gearheads out there. But did you know that Harley-Davidson in its 2007 Harley-Davidson Service Manual 99483-07 hasn't a clear cut procedure to determine if a Triple Tree and fork tubes are out of alignment or damaged.  I've pressed this question to Customer Service at MOCO, and they will cite the Service Manual.
Here is the out come of such a problem.  You will be left to the subjective perception of the Service Department of whatever Dealership you have had the work done.  If improperly diagnosed or repaired, you could or will become an accident whether you intended to or not. I know, I narrowly escaped one. The bike is back in the shop.  This is a safety issue, not a rideability one. Your suggestions could be appreciated.

I'm still not really sure what the exact problem is.  Does the bike track straight down the road or do you have to hold opposite pressure to keep straight?

I have what might be the same thing only from new and not hard stopping.

My handlebars are twisted slightly to the right when driving straight down the road.  I posted this once but not much came of it.  I think I might do something myself.  I think all I'll need to do is loosen up the top and bottom fork leg tree clamps and "twist" the front wheel back straight with the handlebars.

About your situation, I find it hard to believe that just a hard panic stop could produce enough force to twist your frame.  Although if there were any side load and you had a very firm grip, I could see twisting the fork tubes in the tree clamps like I think mine are.

I'd like to find out your exact issue and what's done to get it back square.

Thanks and good luck with the issue.

 :( :( :(
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Dan

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