Had a spill and now my steering feels out of alignment

**fluidmovement02** · #1 15th February 2009

I had a little spill comming around a tight left turn on gravel in Peru and since then my steering feels strange. I think the alignment is probably off but I have tried adjusting it and just cant quite get it right. Is there anything else it could be? I dont know much about troubleshooting with bikes but want to learn, got any tips? Thanks
oh one more thing, i was wondering how important it is to change the jetting when at higher elevations? I am in Cuzco now and will be doing a bit of riding around the mountains here. How difficult is it to do?

**Warthog** · #2 15th February 2009

Have you had a lok at the front forks? Don't know what bike you have but even a minor spill can twist the forks in their yokes.

Other than that then bent frames would be an option, but that would need to be a pretty major off, so I doubt that is it!!

good luck, let us know!

**mollydog** · #3 15th February 2009

This is very common and should not be hard to correct.

Ride Safe!! Good luck.

**RogerM** · #4 16th February 2009

Simple things first - slightly bent handlebars?

**MikeS** · #5 16th February 2009

Did the exact same thing in Copper Canyon, my steering bearing went shortly after and my bars got progressively looser so eventually had to get it changed in San Diego at great expense!

**mollydog** · #6 16th February 2009

slightly bent handlebars?[/quote]

NO. This is what inexperienced riders believe has happened

**mollydog** · #7 16th February 2009

Doing a long distance diagnosis, I'd bet on tweaked forks every time.

**MikeS** · #8 16th February 2009

Ha, no my bars took quite a bashing there, the BMW guys were laughing as I still couldn't see how one side was higher than the other...but very soon after that fall, the bars started feeling loose which then got progressively worse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog

This is a different sort of thing, not caused by a fall but by wear and tear over time. Head bearings will affect handling in very strange ways. I usually try to snug them up just a touch before replacing. Sometimes can buy you some time anyway.
A minor fall won't affect head bearings at all. Doing a long distance diagnosis, I'd bet on tweaked forks every time.

Patrick

**fluidmovement02** · #9 18th February 2009

The bike is a brand new wanxin 200gy enduro. It is a cheap chinese bike. I will try your trick tonight and see what happens. You dont think i need to adjust the rear wheel? Im gonna use the string technique to see how its out of alingment as well. Thanks a lot for the great info. ciao

**fluidmovement02** · #10 18th February 2009

Also, can you explain where the fuel/ air screw is located. My owners manuel is shit and doesnt help me at all. I have a maintanance book on its way but i want to get it done now. Thanks man

**Warthog** · #11 19th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluidmovement02

Also, can you explain where the fuel/ air screw is located. My owners manuel is shit and doesnt help me at all. I have a maintanance book on its way but i want to get it done now. Thanks man

Depends on the carb, but most I have seen are smallish brass screws located near theinlet manifold end of the venturi (main air chathe hole through the carb that the air follows to reach the engine) either under the carb or on one side or the other, but not on top...

***Touring Ted*** · #12 6th March 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warthog

Depends on the carb, but most I have seen are smallish brass screws located near theinlet manifold end of the venturi (main air chathe hole through the carb that the air follows to reach the engine) either under the carb or on one side or the other, but not on top...

Cheap chinese bike often means the pilot jet screw is blanked off !! usually accessable with a power drill though

Adjusting your pilot jet isnt going to help with altitude problems past the idling phase.

finding replacement jets for a chinese bike in South America is going to be a chore. Id be adjusting the clips on the needle first ..

But remember.. IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT !!! See how it runs and then play about with it. Many bikes fair well in the altitude as they are tuned lean from the factory...

**DAVSATO** · #13 14th March 2009

i would definately suspect bent bars on a chinese bike, they are made of cheese.
mostly tough bikes but made out of stuff any farmer can hammer/weld back together, old razor blades and mild steel