Motorcycle Triple Clamp Alignment

A quick simple method of aligning forks first time every time.

Motorcycle triple clamp alignment.

On racing bikes the trail is usually adjusted with an adjustable triple clamp which changes the offset distance and can be adjusted in fine increments to fine tune the handling of the bike. My handlebars were slightly out of whack after my bike went over last week. You can not always trust the manufactures marks for the rear axel position 3. Doing this will free up the front end even more.

Support the front of the bike so that the bike will not slide up or down when you start working. Changes in spring preload tires rear shock location or linkage or changes achieved by moving the forks up or down in the triple clamps all change the respective ride heights. So in addition to what you propose i would suggest you slack off the pinch bolt on the upper triple clamp securing it to the steering stem which holds the clamps in alignment or misalignment to allow it to rotate into alignment. Aftermarket triple clamps can be purchased for road bikes to allow this adjustment and remove the need to change ride heights instead.

If the front end is still out of alignment then it s necessary to loosen the steering stem nut with a 32mm wrench. You use a tape measure from the swing arm pivot bolt to rear axel. The motorcycle wheels are straight and true. Tighten the lower triple clamp.

The first thing you should do is figure out if the handlebars themselves are bent before you start messing with the alignment. It s fairly easy to rectify though you just need to loosen the lower yokes and. The forks and triple clamp system is straight and true. To realign your front end you need to remove the front fairing and then the handlebar risers from the triple clamps.