Triple Tree aligntment

[alphamang]

So, after not riding for some time, I go on a ride today... and I notice something funny with the alignment/handlebars.

And it took me a bit of time but after 10 minutes I realized that my alignment is off, again.

The bars are squared in relation with the clamps (they're sitting flush on the clamps) but the handlebars are still misaligned when riding.
My left arm extends slightly further than my right (so my right is towards the tank more) which means the only thing that can be the culprit is the triple tree... right?

I know that this has been slightly discussed befor,e but I just want to make sure that I'm doing things right.

Basically it's loosen the two allen bolts on the top triple tree and give the bars a nice tug in the way it needs to be realigned too (while someone is keeping the wheel straight) right?
when I went to the dealer the first time that's what they told me to do... and that helped it, a bit.

Any clarification would be appreciated!

[Pokeyjoe]

You have the right idea, but the big allen bolts that go through the clamps and the triple T just spin. You have to take the handlebars off to keep them from spinning. Its a chore to get them straight.

[Wildcat]

kinda barbarac..but i used to pull up to a telephone pole and twist the wheel against it a bit.. straightned it out just fine. dont hit ur rotors though. and check to make sure ur arms are still the same length..lol

[MacBandit]

You loosen the axle clamp and the lower triple tree clamping bolts and then sometimes you can pump the suspension and they will self straighten. If not you can walk around the front hold the tire between your legs and then tweak the bars to straighten it.

Oh, don't forget to re-torque everything.

[alphamang]

If anyone has a service manual, can someone give me the torque specs to the top triple tree, lower triple tree, and axle bolts?

Thanks!

Oh, and what do you guys use for a drive size on your torque wrenches?

[MacBandit]

I use the drive size appropriate to the torque being done. In this case 3/8".
1/4" drive typically tops out around 10ft/lbs
3/8" drive typically range from 10ft/lbs to about 80ft/lbs
1/2" drive typically range form 75ft/lbs to about 250ft/lbs

Be cautious do not loosen the upper and lower triple clamps at the same time unless you want the forks collapsing.

Upper triple tree clamp 27nm (20ft/lbs)
Lower triple tree clamp 20nm (15ft/lbs)
Front wheel axle bolt 65nm (48ft/lbs)
Front wheel pinch bolts 20nm (15ft/lbs)

[alphamang]

What's the size on the axle bolt?