After not riding for few years, decided to get back on a bike and picked up a used S2R 800. The bike was low mileage, female owned and in mint condition. The only damage reported by seller was a tip over that occured while she was on the bike so she was able to shield it from any significant damage. The only damage that supposedly resulted was cosmetic - scratch on the bar end but nothing else. I inspected the bike, went for a test ride and decided everything else seemed fine so I purchased it.
However, when I later brought it home, I noticed that I could not lock the bike in the left position. I see the lock wanting to come out but it won't slip into its hole. Then I noticed that when I turn the bike all the way to the right, the handle bar actually makes contact with the gas tank (doesn't do this for the left which is why it won't lock). The handlebar itself appears to be straight without any noticeable bend.
Took out a flash light and sure enough I see a warped steering stop on the lower triple. Can anyone tell me if this is repairable (or can / should it be left alone)? Also are my steering issues a direct result of this or can I resolve that by just loosening the forks and retightening? Or maybe even simpler, just adjust the bolts by the steering stops?
Right Side
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d63/dji203/096efd76.jpg)
Left Side
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d63/dji203/2f33f674.jpg)
I'd try adjusting your steering stops first, I've actually have a different set screw in mine from a spill I took. You might also want to check the alignment on the triples it may have shifted from the fall. Also my tank was swelling badly and causedß the bars to hit and I'd constantly have to adjust them before I got a new tank and coated it.
Your insurance company would say no, but the frame is steel, and quite easy to weld if the rust mark is a crack. Needless to say, welding will burn the paint.
Quote from: howie on May 10, 2011, 09:18:52 AM
Your insurance company would say no, but the frame is steel, and quite easy to weld if the rust mark is a crack. Needless to say, welding will burn the paint.
Seeing how it's the lower triple, a little paint damage wouldn't be so bad unless it spread to other places. Before I even bring it to a welder, is this something that could be banged back in place with a mallet or hammer?
Quote from: Novelo on May 10, 2011, 07:26:41 AM
You might also want to check the alignment on the triples it may have shifted from the fall.
If anything, this.
Otherwise, I'd forget about it. I was never a firm believer that locked handlebars are going to prevent somebody from taking my bike.
wtf are the steering "stops" even for if it all it takes is a tip-over to crack one off?
Quote from: Silver King on May 10, 2011, 10:52:17 AM
If anything, this.
Otherwise, I'd forget about it. I was never a firm believer that locked handlebars are going to prevent somebody from taking my bike.
True but if it's a quick fix, I'd prefer to address it. Plus, I have the bigger issue of the handlebar making contact on the right side of my tank.
You can adjust the stops on the triple, they are no where near symmetrical in your pics
Quote from: corey on May 10, 2011, 11:40:59 AM
wtf are the steering "stops" even for if it all it takes is a tip-over to crack one off?
Contrary to popular opinion bikes are not built to be crashed. ;D
To the OP...just adjust the stops to allow locking and preventing bar/triple contact with the tank.
I agree with Ducpainter; just adjust the steering stop screws. You can get longer ones if needed. I dropped mine and did the same thing, the stop ripped and the bars hit the tank anyway. It was remedied very easily (and cheaply) by a qualified welder and with a little touch-up paint, not even noticable.
Quote from: pcv57 on May 15, 2011, 06:02:23 AM
I agree with Ducpainter; just adjust the steering stop screws. You can get longer ones if needed. I dropped mine and did the same thing, the stop ripped and the bars hit the tank anyway. It was remedied very easily (and cheaply) by a qualified welder and with a little touch-up paint, not even noticable.
Same thing happened to me, only the stop screw broke. Quick trip to ace hardware and $1.5 0 later I had a new hardened set of bolt/nuts that work great and won't brake so easy.