Front wheel out of alignment with handlebars

Thanks for all the input, everyone.

I'll pull the upper clamps today and see how those look. I'm really hoping it's not a stanchion that's bent, since I just rebuilt the forks. I regret not rolling the stanchions on a flat surface when I had them apart, but they looked like they were in great condition and they had no pitting, or scratches on them. Maybe they've already been replaced at some point?

If it comes to pulling the steering stem, is there a certain stem nut wrench you'd recommend other than Kawasaki 57001-1100? I had a wrench for my FZR that had a square hole in the end of the handle in which a 3/8" drive would fit, so I could use a torque wrench to tighten it down.

If youre pulling the forks out you can check the stanchions with a metal ruler or some other straight edge to get some idea. For undoing the stem nut,I just used a set of stilsons .Any sort of pipe wrench will work.
Good luck with it.

I pulled the upper triple off, and measured the bottoms of the clamps against a straight edge. The bottom surfaces of the clamps should be in line with each other, correct? When laying the bottom of the clamps on a table, I was able to slightly rock them side to side. Also, when I held a ruler flat against the outer and inner surfaces of one of the fork clamps, there was a gap between the ruler and the edge of the other clamp.

Illustrations:

Can't tell, your hand is in the way. I suspect the fork tubes are bent. You should be able to pull them out by removing the Allens on the bottoms and caps on the tops. Loosen the bottom, then remove the tops. Remove the Allens and the tubes should just slide out. Roll them on a piece of glass like your sliding door to see how bad they are. The tubes generally bend first. If so, replace them.
Steve

Ok, update time!

In the picture of me holding the upper triple clamps vertically, the ruler is held up against the bottom outer and inner (proximal and distal ) surfaces of the clamp behind my hand, leaving the gap between the ruler and the bottom surface of the lower clamp in the picture. This would indicate that the line from "A" to "B" (first picture) along the lower surface of my clamps is not perfectly straight. My question: is it supposed to be perfectly straight, where if I place the bottom surfaces of the clamp on a level surface they should not be able to rock side to side?

I took off my lower triple clamps and it's the same case there. If I place the bottom surface on a flat table I can rock the clamps slightly side to side.

Does this indicate I should replace my upper and lower clamps?

Also, I was wrong about my fork tubes, and I found that one is kinked ever so slightly. A straight edge will not hold itself flat against the surface. I'll disassemble the tubes tomorrow to check for sure with the rolling test How much is it to get forks straightened? I have a feeling I'd be better off buying a used set off Ebay.

I got a new set of tubes from Z1E. Looks like there is a high spot between the outer clamps. Is that what you're talking about? The clamps should be level with each other. One bent fork tube will do it.
Steve

I'll bet if you pull the sliders, it will be worse than that.
Steve

swest wrote: I got a new set of tubes from Z1E. Looks like there is a high spot between the outer clamps. Is that what you're talking about? The clamps should be level with each other. One bent fork tube will do it.
Steve

Sorry for not being clearer. I meant the line between A and B along the lower surface of these clamps isn't perfectly straight.

I checked once about having the tubes straightened on my KX250 motocross bike and it was F'n expensive!!!
The quotes were like $125 to $250!!!
If one or both tubes are bent, which it looks like at least one is in the photo ... I'd check around locally but also be looking for a pair from a salvage yard who will guarantee they are straight and or replace... etc

I paid $80 for the pair. Not worth Fing with.
Steve

missionkz wrote: The quotes were like $125 to $250!!!

LOL yeah I'm pretty sure I can get a decent pair off Ebay for about $120 shipped.

swest wrote: I paid $80 for the pair. Not worth Fing with.
Steve

That's not a bad price. Was that local?