Topic: Bent Forks???

[SalNYC750]

I got a binding/locking happening when turning BUT only when down force on the handlebars is appiled.

it's almost like the steering gets frozen for a second or 2 pretty scary at speed!!!... already removed the front brake and loosened the all balls steering bearings so they aint the culprits!

no info on wheel bearings or condition of forks they look ok? what should I try next? complete fork rebuild?

  I don't got a clue fellaz!

[uksparky]

Too loose and the bearings will fall out.... i had a tight spot some time back, the bearings were dry... pulled the forks and steering head then cleaned the bearings greased them up, all back together and re adjusted ... all good now

[seanbarney41]

is your front fender bracket sandwiched between fork slider and brake?...that is incorrect and can cause very strange front end phenomena. 

Also front axle assembly can be done wrong.  Double check that all spacers and axle clamps and speedo drive are assembled correctly.

Are you missing the front fender or some other form of fork brace?

Even tightening triple clamp bolts in the wrong sequence can cause poor handling...

[Stev-o]

Too loose and the bearings will fall out....

OP stated he has "all balls" bearing, ironically, no balls in there.

I'd pull everything apart.

[ekpent]

 Sean has some good suggestions to look at. I had a K5 I fixed up and sold last fall. I found out it had a bent fork tube because the spring inside wanted to bind up and not pull out or go back into the fork tubes smoothly so that may be a way to check. Replaced the tube with used and all was good.