97 valk pulls to one side

[Havana Trader]

After getting my front forks rebuilt at a local shop, my '97 Valk pulls to one side when riding. Enough that if I ride through some sand in the road, I get a l scary little sideways jerk.
I've had it back to the shop twice afterwards, with no satisfaction.
It didn't ride like this before the work was done, it just bottomed out easily in the front, which is why i had them rebuild the forks.

The forks are extending the same distance from the top clamp, but the bottom clamp is higher by nearly 1/4" on one side than the other. The shop says that's normal.

I'm done with this shop, this isn't my first unsatisfactory experience there.
Any advice on how to get the front end sorted out would be appreciated.

[old2soon]

You'll need a lift and a lift adapter. Once on the lift and strapped down you will need to pull the front wheel. Instructions for this can be found on shop talk. First thing you're gonna wanna find out is are the axle holes at the end of the fork legs on the same plane-level. Are the fork caps all the way in and installed properly. If yes on those two counts the other thing it could be is the install SEQUENCE. The front end and the rear end have a SEQUENCE on reinstall that if Not followed correctly WILL result in bad things happenin!  Tech term!  Please keep us informed as the brotherhood here want's to know ho bad you were messed with. RIDE SAFE.

[old2soon]

A physical location in your avatar would/could/might put a knowledgeable Valkyrie wrench close to you. We have a lot of folks that KNOW our Valkyries here bouts. RIDE SAFE.

[Havana Trader]

Thanks for the info. I'm near Tallahassee.

[Chrisj CMA]

No need for a lift adapter to remove the front wheel. Just position the lift under the front of the engine and lift. Let the rear tire stay on the ground.  Simple.

[Ricky-D]

If this is a new phenomena and just after some front end work on the bike I would say that somehow they indexed the steering head bearings.

In reality, a two wheel vehicle cannot "pull" one way or the other. If that feeling occurs the first thought should be that there has been a weight shift on the bike, like for instance a lot of weight has been added to one saddlebag, or the seat has been replaced off of the centerline of the bike.

With the absence of a weight shift the only other cause of the malady would be a frame alignment issue where the wheels are not running in the same track, as the frame would describe.

There you have it! (A) indexed steering head bearings, (B) Off centerline weight distribution, and (C) Frame problem.

***

[Havana Trader]

If this is a new phenomena and just after some front end work on the bike I would say that somehow they indexed the steering head bearings.

There you have it! (A) indexed steering head bearings, (B) Off centerline weight distribution, and (C) Frame problem.

A - Can you describe to me what you mean by indexed steering head bearings? Off center?
B - doesn't seem likely as multiple riders can attest to having to push significantly on the right handlebar to keep the bike going in a straight line, and the saddlebags are nearly empty.
C - hoping that's not the case, as that would mean frame damage occurred at the shop and I'll have a very hard time getting any confirmation of that.

[longrider]

My opinion would be to remove front wheel and fender.  Check the top of the forks to make sure they are almost flush at the top.  and Run the axle through to see if the forks have been set properly  if the axle slides through re assemble as per normal.   If it doesn't slide then they have set the adjustment on the left fork incorrectly.   Are the bars perfectly straight ahead while riding?

[hubcapsc]

I think they must have done some silly thing to your forks which could be
easily fixed, maybe by taking them off and apart and putting it all back right,
maybe never knowing what was wrong, maybe seeing what is wrong during
the re-do...

Bearings become indexed through wear and use and maybe being loose, I don't
know how they could have done that... or why they'd mess with your steering
head or bearings to rebuild your forks...

I have an empty bag that I put stuff in when I travel and a much heavier full bag with some
tools and a clamp and some other odds and ends on the other side, it doesn't make
my bike ride funny... I guess if you have an anvil in one of your bags or something   ...

-Mike

[Steel cowboy]

I would try resetting the wheel on the forks. Under shop talk go into tire change and follow the procedure for aligning the forks to the wheel.

[Bighead]

Also look at your tire wear.

[Tfrank59]

I would try resetting the wheel on the forks. Under shop talk go into tire change and follow the procedure for aligning the forks to the wheel.

Yes this. But here's a funny question, why can't the shop you brought it to follow the shop talk procedure and get it right since they're the ones who messed it up. I guess that would require the shop admitting they didn't do it right and that there's knowledge out there Superior to theirs -- like that's going to happen

[Ricky-D]

If both axles are tight, there can be no misalignment between the front wheel and the whole front end, and between the rear wheel and the swingarm.

***

[Tfrank59]

If this is a new phenomena and just after some front end work on the bike I would say that somehow they indexed the steering head bearings.

In reality, a two wheel vehicle cannot "pull" one way or the other. If that feeling occurs the first thought should be that there has been a weight shift on the bike, like for instance a lot of weight has been added to one saddlebag, or the seat has been replaced off of the centerline of the bike.

With the absence of a weight shift the only other cause of the malady would be a frame alignment issue where the wheels are not running in the same track, as the frame would describe.

There you have it! (A) indexed steering head bearings, (B) Off centerline weight distribution, and (C) Frame problem.

***

Been pondering your problem...there's something to what Ricky says here, because I was a dirt biker for many years and there were times I or fellow riders had bent forks, misaligned the front wheel, even a broken triple tree--you name it we did it--and even with all that on the way home from the crash the bikes still went down the road straight. Sure, dirt bikes are lighter and all but the forces and physics in play are the same.  The weight shift thing would certainly make your bike seem to pull sideways, but elsewise I can't really account for this problem with just the forks being installed incorrectly, but who knows.  In any case, if it began only after the shop worked on it, it must be a malfunction they somehow caused, so they need to stand by their work and make it right.  Good luck and let us know what you learn.

[Havana Trader]

Got a lift now, assuming the GF allows time this weekend, I'll pull the front wheel, loosen the triple tree clamps, and follow the correct procedure for reassembly.
In fact, I think I'll order some pads and do a front brake job while the wheel is off.

[Tfrank59]

While you have the front wheel off check if there's a slop in your steering head bearings.

[Steel cowboy]

If your thinking the brakes or calipers might be the issue, the left and right calipers are too close to the center line of rotation to cause the issue. In other words if the right or left caliper is sticking it would not cause it to pull to either side. Remember not all bikes have 2 front brakes.

[Havana Trader]

Fork oil leaked on the pads before the rebuild, they've been a bit noisy since.

[Chrisj CMA]

Fork oil leaked on the pads before the rebuild, they've been a bit noisy since.

Same thing happened to the new to me custom Valkyrie. I had to use a very good grease cutter on the discs and install brand new pads.

Once brake fluid gets on those pads, they will never work as they should again. It's not safe to continue to use oil soaked front pads.

You have been warned.