Does anyone have a good way to check to see if my fork tubes/ tree are straight? I recently bought an f3 and I know something is slightly out of true in the front I just don't know which or a good way to tell. Any help is really appreciated

 

One way I check forks for straightness is by removing the tubes and rolling them on a perfectly flat surface. you will see any bends or kinks. Its a bit of work, but you will know.

 

Ok so I rolled the tubes as best I could on a flat sheet of glass and there is no obvious or bends/kinks, also took a Straight edge to them. I guess its the triple that's bent

 

If the bike has had a mild fall-over, nothing may be bent.
It's rare for the tripples to be bent, if the tubes are ok.
It may be just knocked out of alignment.

Try loosening the bottom tripple's pinch-bolts, only. Have a helper eye the front wheel,
ensuring it is true to the axis of the bike. Are the bars straight when it is?

If not, have the helper hold the front wheel and tweak the bars, till it is.
Then, pump the forks with the front brakes on. Do another visual check for alignment.
If it is all correct, tighten the bottom pinch-bolts.

Afterwards, take it for a ride to verify that everything is correct.

Hope this procedure takes care of the problem, Ern

 

The proper way to insure fork tube straightness is to test *run-out*. This is done on the bench in v-blocks & measuring run-out w/a dial indicator. The reading will determine if they are in spec/service-limit or not. If you don't have the equip at home, the shop can do this in just a few min. If you are at all any way unsure, have 'em measured to know for sure.

 

Now that I think about it a lot of the bolts on the front were not very tight so it might just be out of alignment...however I already have the forks and tree off so ill check the tubes for run out.

 

Mine is the same way it really annoys me and Im taking mine to the shop to figure the problem out. I just hope I dont have to buy new forks or triple tree since my bike is a R title I have no idea why it was totaled. But I have a feeling it has to do with the front end.