I couldn't get the forks aligned right on my 2001 F4i. When I took the forks out today I think I found out why. The top and bottom triple clamps would both pivot, but not independently of each other meaning they were stuck out of alignment. When the top moved, the bottom would too. This behavior seems very odd to me, so I'd like ideas on what could be causing it and how to fix it. Bad top bearing on the steering head, or possibly parts just corroded together? When I've had old bearings on other bikes they would still both move independently, but just take more effort to turn, so I don't know if that's what is causing this or not.

Also I took the nut off the top of the steering stem and still nothing would come off. Do these bikes have anything else holding everything together?

 

I would put my money on corrosion. You could possible have a bad bearing there...but the two are not one piece. The bottom sub assembly and shaft is and the steering stem nut bolts them together.

I havent had this apart on mine. But its possible you are getting something stuck...could be related to 5,6 and 7 shown here. Hence why I think loosening the stem nut did not solve your issue...Just take it a step further...

 

So do I need to loosen or do something with 5,6,7 in order to remove the top clamp or should it lift right off when I undo the top nut?

 

Remove the top nut..loosen and remove clip ons..may take some persuasion.....there (or should be) retaining rings around top of forks that help keep the clip ons down..and two locking bolts that hold the actual triple on in the clamping fashion....567 are retainers there for the bottom section...

 

Ok that's what I thought but it didn't want to pull off. I already had to forks and clipons off. I might need to encourage it with a mallet or a jack.

 

Yea...not a surprise such a part would need the help..

 

if i remember right on my 900 i aligned the forks, torqued the bolts holding those in, then tightened the steering head down.

did you take the top and bottom clamps apart? were they misaligned before you took the forks out?