Topic: bike pulls to the left

[mmtsquid]

Bike has been laid down by PO on left side - I replaced the bent handlebars, but at low speed the bike pulls left.

The forks appear straight - any thoughts on what to do?

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Start measuring for alignment on anything that effects tracking.  I seldom see bent frames.  Check the forks, rear tire chain adjustment same on both sides, twisted triple tree, or even tire damage.

[MCRider]

Bike has been laid down by PO on left side - I replaced the bent handlebars, but at low speed the bike pulls left.

The forks appear straight - any thoughts on what to do?

Had you ever ridden it before the drop?

Just curious. Nothing to add to KingCustom. You've got to check everything, drop related or not (chainadjustment/rear wheel alignment)

[mmtsquid]

nope, never rode it before drop.
its an 85 nighthawk 650, and one of my wifes former students bought it for cheap, then brought it to me for repair.
Its a shaft drive, so I'm not sure how the rear wheel adjusts.  I haven't spent much time tinkering, just thought I'd pose the question to the forum.

It's plenty quick, and light as a feather.

[MCRider]

nope, never rode it before drop.
its an 85 nighthawk 650, and one of my wifes former students bought it for cheap, then brought it to me for repair.
Its a shaft drive, so I'm not sure how the rear wheel adjusts.  I haven't spent much time tinkering, just thought I'd pose the question to the forum.

It's plenty quick, and light as a feather.

Scratch the rear wheel adjustment, there is none. So even though the fork may appear straight, you likely have a twist of the tubes in the clamps, or a bent lower tree. It can be very minor and hard to see.

Jack up the front end, loosen the tubes clamps, put the wheel between your knees and work the handlbars back and forth. That will loosed and realign a slight tweak. Tighten the lower clamps first then the uppers.

But if the tube or lower triple clamp is actually bent, disassembly is required.

[mystic_1]

You can check wheel alignment by propping the bike upright and running two long straight-edges down the sides of the rear tire, up to and past the front wheel if possible.  Any deflection should become apparent.  Some people use long fluorescent light bulbs as straight-edges.

mystic_1

[antiq]

It's possible the swingarm may be bent slightly. Best luck in fixing the issue.