If you're not dropping, or crashing your bike while riding off-road you're not trying hard enough ;-) Certainly don't recommend trying hard while riding on road though...
Agreed, great video, just the right amount of talk and instruction. All the help is appreciative from folks on RU-vid but so many others make 30 min videos for no reason full of all kinds of bs. Yours was great, thanks for the reminders as it's been a while since I did this. Cheers.
That bike has never crashed. Mine looks like it's been through a war... great video, I was totally wrong with my guess as to what to do, glad I didn't try.
Thank you very much for all your professional tutorials over all these years. Wishing you and your loved ones and all the riding community a happy festive season and a healthy and prosperous 2020. Your help is always and will be highly appreciated.
I'm new to this sport. I just crashed today in the sand pit, hurt my hand a bit but no worries. Noticed that my fork was off a little after a few seconds dusting off .. "WHAT THE???", googled, got the link to this clip, great stuff. Simple and quick. Thanks man.
Huge THANK YOU for posting this video. My son went down while learning and hit the bark-buster on the throttle side on the ground and twisted the front forks... the alignment was way off. Had a ride scheduled for the next day with my other son and I thought the bike was toast. This video saved the day. This technique worked perfectly and took all of 10 minutes. Subbed and Liked! Thanks again!
This is an excellent technique. I use this on my Freeride 250R when the forks look a little misaligned. The to and fro torquing part is an excellent tip; otherwise the bolts may loosen with riding.
Great video! My son found this video and shared it with me to realign his KX100. Bike was dropped practicing 360 wheelies on asphalt and I thought something was bent. Work like a charm thanks for the video.
Thank you very much for posting this video. Out of all the videos that are related to this category. Yours is simplified and easy to follow. Thank you again.
After crashing my 501 on a dirt trail yesterday my front wheel seemed to be pointed a bit to the right. This method worked perfectly to get everything back in line. Thanks!
Thanks so much for this video. I see its about 5 years old now. It saved me with my 250 Dual sport. I thought I was going to need New Forks. Was so easy and fast to correct.
Thank you for making a quick video about this! I'm about to realign a 2003 CRF150F front end. At first I thought the handlebars were bent, but I think everything will straighten out after this procedure.
I found the specs for the front axle pinch bolts, but not the lower triple clamp bolts for my 2017 yz250f! Any other names for the "Lower Triple Clamp pinch bolts" that may be used in my manual?
Thanks a million! I just straightened out my front end after a randevu with the forest floor. Now do you have any advice for a tender mid section (read broken rib)?
Tokyo Offroad: great vid. Helped me a bunch. While watching I see you have turn signals on your front fork. I want to put break lights on my husky, pretty much the same bike. What kit are you using? Any tips for how to wire it up? I’m a mechanical noobie, but working hard to learn how to do all my own work. Any pointers are much appreciated. Sweet looking bike by the way
You're welcome to come riding with us. We ride most weekends, usually in Saitama-ken, Gunma-ken, or Yamanashi-san. Please send me a private message if you're interested...
It's not possible to torque both bolts correctly if you only tighten each one once. After tightening the second bolt the torque of the first bolt will not be at spec and needs to be tightened again. If both are at torque but causing resistance on the internals then the torque spec can't be correct. I've had no issues with the method I use on my bikes and I use the KTM published torque specifications (or XTRIG specs as fit now).
Could this be the same on a street bike? I purchased a bike but only after riding it noticed that when bike travels straight, the handlebars are turned to the right. It has been previously dropped but has no frame damage.
Thanks for the video, I'll be doing this as soon as I get a torque wrench. What are your thoughts on the cheap ones at 2rinkan, versus that nice Tohnichi of yours?
For me I don't mind spending money on quality tools which I know I'm going to use regularly. I have a large collection of Tohnichi torque wrenches (8 different ones) and have had no issues and I believe they will last a lifetime of use if handled and stored with care. Cheap tools may be OK, or they may break during the first use. It's a bit of a gamble...
What about loosening the main triple clamp big nut? The one that holds both clamps compressed together? I think - when that nut is on - clamps won't move independently. Right?
I understand what you're talking about, but it's not necessary. Because the forks are long they have a lot of leverage on the triple clamps. When you compress forks with the lower triple clamp fork tubes pinch bolts loose the top and bottom triple clamps will self align even if the top triple clamp stem pinch bolt and stem bolt have not been loosened.
after the crash, i thought i wrapped the front suspension or frame thing but can i make it staright with that technique? Because when i male my handlebars look straight my tire looks to left (by the way i didnt crashed very hard) so should i try it?
Hello @Tokyo Offroad, i've got bent wheel to the right. My manual says when installing front wheel you leave fork bolts unscrewed on both sides and then you need to grab the brake, but you untightened them only on one side. To straighten wheel should I do the same as you or as the manual says? Ktm sxf 250 2015 btw. Thank you.
faganeli matej - I recommend you follow the method shown in the video and only loosen the right side axle pinch bolts (and both sides lower triple clamp pinch bolts).
Thank you so much for uploading such a helpful video man... crashed 3 days before Christmas and thats what happened.. it worked on my bike... more power....
The forks/axle will align easiest if you loosen the lower triple clamp fork pinch bolts on both sides. On a KTM the right side axle pinch bolts only need to be loosened. I have never worked on a Grom so am not sure if it's the same type of axle clamping. It doesn't matter which side you crash on, the method is the same.
Greetings. I have the WP AER 48's. Question is I was set at the KTM's Comfort- level 17 Compression and 17 Rebound. I switched now... too KTM's Standard-level of 12 Compression and 12 Rebound. Now I know I could go to 12 compression and 17 Rebound? I am 198lbs. I don't race this bike and I Enduro ride, bouncing the bike with my weight for logs and such. Is there a sweet spot that you liked with the setting? I see the 17/17 was Comfortable... Mushie in a way... Just getting your input. Thanks
Sorry but I don't have any experience with AER forks. My 17 is fitted with Dal Soggio Sphere cartridges and my 19 is still stock with WP XPLOR 48 forks. I recommend you ask the same question in the web forum ktmtalk.com and I'm sure you'll receive some helpful replies.
The mirror is a Zefal Spy bicycle mirror. You can purchase it on Amazon. It has a rubber strap which you fasten round the handlebar. Works OK to see if someone is behind you, but obviously not as clear as a full size mirror. I like it because I can easily check whether my GoPro is still running, is small so is unlikely to break, or cause injury and it will probably stop me getting a ticket when riding on public roads if there was a policemen :-)
Hi sir my brand new bike 2month old I have some problems plz any solution Tel me .cons no 1 wen raiding bike my handle littley right direction seeing front wheel pulling right low speed 10 to 20 kph .my right said soldiers pain
Thank you so much for making the video - your bike looks like it has been maintained beautifully. **Now where did you get that compact torque wrench????**
All my torque wrenches are made by Tohnichi and purchased in Japan. In Part2 of Garage Talk you can see my set of torque wrenches: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mLUxMKEMeug.htmlm38s
The procedure is the same no matter which way the wheel is pointing. Loosen the axle right hand side pinch bolts and both sides of the lower triple clamp pinch bolts.
With the forks aligned at the same notch at top, and the wheel removed. Should the axle bolt easily slide through both forks and easily turn? I have heard mixed answers if it should or not. My forks are currently aligned at top and I did the alignment in your video. But I saw a video that said you are in alignment when the tire is removed and you can easily put axle bolt though and turn easily.
Yes, the axle should easily slide through with the front wheel removed. If it doesn’t something is wrong. If the fork leg length is different possibly the forks weren’t assembled correctly.
I just bought a 2022 ktm xc-w 300 tpi and the front wheel seems crooked and I also noticed one fork is lower than the other. Should I let the dealer take care of this or should I do it myself?
The fork legs should be equal (mounted in the triple clamps with the same stick out at the top and the lowers should be same). If there is a significant difference in the lower length possibly the forks have not been assembled correctly and should be corrected.
Hi ! nice video, thanks for it I want to buy a torque wrench for my KTM. What measurements / range / brand do you recommend? I need two? I've been seeing these: Tengtools 3892AG-E3 Torque Wrench 20-110Nm Tengtools 5-25Nm
My personal favorite torque wrench brand is Tohnichi (Japanese torque wrench specialist manufacturer) and specifically the QL-MH all metal range: www.tohnichi.com/products/adjustable-torque-wrench-QLMH.htm If your budget allows I would recommend getting 3 torque wrenches: 2-10Nm (1/4" drive); 10-50Nm (3/8" drive); 40-200Nm (1/2" drive). These would cover all fasteners on the bike, including the primary drive (150Nm). In this video I show some of the torque wrenches I have: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mLUxMKEMeug.html If on the other hand your current budget isn't enough to purchase three you might try to find some models which cover a broader range (typically at lower accuracy), or stage your purchase and buy additional ones when funds allow.
Hello! I adjusted my forks so they were the same height but the axle does NOT go through smoothly? I then adjusted my forks so the axle goes through smoothly but then the fork height difference is 1mm? What is more important, equal fork height or axle smoothness? Thanks!
I always adjust them so that they're the same height in the triple clamps. If the forks have been assembled correctly there shouldn't be a significant length difference between left and right. One common mistake is that when installing the fork caps on to the cartridge the jam nut on the cartridge is not fully loosened before screwing on the cap. This may result in the extended length of the fork being longer than it should be. If you suspect this may be cause of the problem I recommend removing the caps and re-installing them (with the jam nut loosened, then tighten the jam nut once the cap is fully screwed on to the cartridge).
@tokyooffroad. This method worked straightening my wheel today after I wrecked. Inside to inside the forks are not parallel all the way down. Even after spinning and compressing them. Well actually loosening the lower TTC and turning my handle bars straightened it. How do I know exactly if my forks are spaced correctly.
Compressing your forks with the right hand side pinch bolts loose will force the fork tubes to become parallel. If they’re not parallel you’ll find the fork action is harsh as they will tend to bind when being compressed.
So when I loosen the right side pinch bolts and compress the forks repeatedly, I should retighten where it lays? There is no defined measurements? As I mentioned I had to pinch the wheel with my knees and turn the handlebars as this method did not straighten the handlebars completely. They must have twisted in the clamps. When I loosened the axle pinch bolts the fork went out away from the hub. My initial reaction was maybe when it landed it pushed the fork inward. As it fell on that side. Thank you for the advice. I have subscribed and your videos are very well done. @tokyooffroad
Why only loosen one side of the pinch bolts? I need to do this on my ‘17 YZ 250F and do I need to loosen both sides of the punch bolts on the front axle?
The method shown in the video is what I use for KTMs and it works well. If your YZ axle tightening method is different you'll need to change the procedure as appropriate. You should still find that the general method works, even if some details need to be changed though.
Brian Hill - The front end shouldn’t get out of alignment unless you crash heavily. If yours get misaligned while riding it normally my guess is that something may be damaged, or not correctly assembled/torqued.
Awesome. Threw my bike down practicing this wheelie pivots and noticed my left arm was half bent and right fully extended when riding home! What’s that center stand magic? Have a brand / link?
