Twisted triple tree

Hey Gurus,

I just got a 1988 KZ1000P with 48500 miles in great shape.

Today is the first time I've ridden it after fixing some wiring problems and cleaning the jets.

As I drive in a straight line, the left hand grip sits about 2" higher than the right grip. When I examine the handle bars they look ok. Staring down the tubes, the yoke where the handlebars are mounted is tilted.

So my question is, am I looking for trouble by loosening the tree clamps and twisting the handle bars back to a more straight position?

Any recommendations?

KZrider is an excellent resource, thanks.

I am not sure what your are stating is bent.

Handlebars? You can ignore, replace, or try to bend them to what you think is even. They are cheap enough to replace.

Triple tree or fork tubes? You should replace them.

If the top clamp is tilted to the the left or right, then something is seriously wrong, it shouldn't be able to do that.

steell wrote:

If the top clamp is tilted to the the left or right, then something is seriously wrong, it shouldn't be able to do that.

if it hit something hard enough to bend a triple tree id definately get the frame checked;)

See if you can post some pics. Maybe someone here will pick up oin something

harm wrote:

See if you can post some pics. Maybe someone here will pick up oin something

Was gonna suggest that myself - some pics of the area - as close and as detailed as possible - would really help figure out where the problem in fact resides.

As noted by others, that's a pretty serious problem - I wouldn't be entering any wheelie contests until that's figured out.

I'll get some pictures but I'm not sure it will show anything. The tilt is only noticable while riding. The tubes appear to be straight.

I guess my questions might go like this:

If the two Y shaped brackets of the triple tree are two separate pieces, what keeps them aligned?

If the front wheel is anchored down, and I loosen the tube clamps on the tree brackets, can the handlebar be turned any and stay there after the clamps are tightened?

This image limits on KZR are too tight so I put the images in my ISP storage:

users.frii.com/michael/images/KZ1000P%20003.jpg
users.frii.com/michael/images/KZ1000P%20002.jpg
users.frii.com/michael/images/KZ1000P%20001.jpg
users.frii.com/michael/images/KZ1000P%20004.jpg
users.frii.com/michael/images/KZ1000P%20005.jpg

In the first picture, I've tried to emulate what I see on the road. The front tire is steering straight, but the left side of the handlebar is high and the handlebar mount is slightly tilted. (The turtle neck of the gas tank is imperfect too but that's just a manufacturing flaw. Unfortunately it creates an optical illusion.)

Post edited by: codetonic, at: 2007/05/04 12:47

Post edited by: codetonic, at: 2007/05/04 12:52

I cant tell anything in the pics, try removing the faring, set the bike on the center stand, with the wheel straight, take some measurments form the ground to the top of the tree.
this would also be a good time to look over the frame to see if its bent

Yep. Triple trees are bent:



Note the angle of inclination difference between the left and right upper clamps. It's also noticeable as a difference in angle on the fork boot rubbers.

The left end clamp is bent backward toward the bottom and forward toward the top - twisted - which would cause the kind of bar shift you're noticing.

The handlebar clamps are showing a twist as well.

At some point in time, that front end either hit something - or got hit - HARD.

It's likely that one or both fork tubes were either straightened or replaced.

Pull the fairing, pull the gas tank and sight along the same angle - it'll jump at you.

Going down the street, the bike should "dogleg" noticeably. Should wear tires funny as well.

Replace the triple trees and have the frame neck inspected to see if there are any cracks or bends - it's possible.

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2007/05/04 14:10

Damn you have way better eyes than I do:P

BSKZ650 wrote:

Damn you have way better eyes than I do:P

I've got a 21" multisynch monitor - and I sucked in the hi-rez shots...

(plus I've actually *bent* trees before - it's a fine art...) :blush:



:huh: :blink: :dry: :pinch: :whistle:

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2007/05/04 15:46

CHEATER!!!:blink: