Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Bent frame/headstock/forks twisted in yoke?

[DJ Tera]

After what seemed like a very minor lowside the other night, I took the bike out for a spin yesterday and to sum it up - its totally F**ked

If I hit an undulation or bump, the bike will suddenly lean over!
If I lean right the bike is very uncooperative.

If I TRY to lean left the bike will refuse then suddenly crank over with the tiniest bit of extra pressure on the outside bar - it then weaves and shimmies while leant to the left!!


What the **** is going on?!?!?!??

Anyone know a good place to get the frame etc checked (by laser etc) for straightness and alignment?

[nelly]

I wouldn't have thought your frame is bent, more likely the forks have twisted or the steerer is bent.
A quick check is to remove the steering damper, loosen the three pinch bolts on the top yoke and pull it off.
If it's really tight, then it's probable the forks have twisted or the steerer has bent.
If it comes off OK, try and put it back on. Again, if the forks or steerer have gone then it'll be difficult to replace.
Also, check around the pinch bolts on the bottom yoke for the casting fracturing.

[DJ Tera]

Thanks matey, will have a check later - also, the top yoke is hitting the damper mount (the one thats used for the steeper head angle)

I'm praying its just the forks twisted in the yokes

[Lee1980]

Dj I'm having a similar problem after my low speed fall on the right side, the handling seem ok, but the top yoke is hitting the damper mount, even after it was replaced.

For more see topic entitled top yoke clearance.

[Mike Davis]

Sounds like you may have twisted the top yolk DJ t Tera, an easy check is to look down the steering head and see if the top yolk is out of line with the bottom one, often it is just a case of slackening the top clamp bolt and pushing against the lockstop to line them back up, this can be guaged better by removing top and side fairing and looking side on to line the fork tubes up.

[skidlids]

Worth checking the front spindle they have a habbit of bending where it steps down in size.
My mates business in Didcot Oxon has a jig that he checks frames with but I don't think lasers are involved

[DJ Tera]

the top yoke refuses to come off despite emptying a can of wd40 on the bugga!

3 bolts holding it on and one bolting the damper to the frame right?

Wont budge at all!
What next?

Shall i try undoing all three bolts again, and the 6 on the bottom yoke too?

[Edited on 15-4-2004 by DJ Tera]

[skidlids]

try un-doing the front spindle nut and the spindle pinch bolts, if it is the spindle that is bent it will be trying to push one fork out of line with the other causing them to bind in the yokes