front wheel wont f*$%ing fit!!

[hunter]

The yokes could also be twisted,Did you notice where the bottom yoke clamps the leg,
Has the leg got a ring mark,Impression,Or is it smooth like the rest of the fork,
If it's smooth it can be straitened,Try and get a pic of the leg.

[Baz]

The fork doesnt look bent by looking at it and also with a straight edge next to it so its not really bad. Ive also ridden the bike daily for almost 4 months without noticing it. From how the wheel was lining up I would guess its about 5mm out from the bottom yoke to the wheel spindle. Apart from a bit of pitting high up the fork leg there are no other marks. The subframe is also about 5mm higher on one side. The bike does feel ok when riding. I really dont want to dismantle the forks again as I have just put a Rick O fork kit in with new oil, new oil seals and new dust seals. I havent even ridden it yet since doing this earlier today.

One other thing I did come accross was that the wire circlip type thingy that goes under the clip-on was missing on one side so I need to buy a new one of those.

[lukemillar]

The yokes could also be twisted,Did you notice where the bottom yoke clamps the leg,
Has the leg got a ring mark,Impression,Or is it smooth like the rest of the fork,
If it's smooth it can be straitened,Try and get a pic of the leg.

In my experience, the bottom yoke seems more prone to bending than the fork. I have had to replace 2 after crashing, so I would definitely check this by swapping the forks over and seeing if the offset switches sides or stays the same.

[speedy231278]

If the bottom yoke is bent, the forks won't be parallel and it should be fairly easy to spot it you take the front end out of the bike. Yokes can be straightened. After mine got damaged, I took the yokes, forks and spindle to Maidstone Motoliner and the job was done in no time at all.

[Baz]

I did plan on doing the valve clearances while I was off work but it looks like im going to spend all my time on the front end! I will whip the wheel back out and try to see if its the forks or yokes that seem to be the problem. I really hope I dont have to dismantle the forks again! I am pretty busy today so it will probably be in the morning when I get around to it but will keep you all updated.
Thanks for all the help and advice.

[Baz]

I have been thinking, If rotating the fork stanchion moved it back into line then it cant be the yoke as the position of the fork lower would not have changed, and it cant be the fork lower as that stayed in the same position so it must be the stanchion that is slightly bent.
I have a 91 NC30 with the later type forks so would any model NC30 stanchions fit or do they need to be the later type?
I have seen a new pair on ebay but they are from Hong Kong so not sure what the quality will be:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-VFR400- ... 3a7bb1adc8

or would I be better off buying a set of second hand original forks and refurb them with the new internals off mine? (new seals obviously)

I'm strapped for cash so whatever I do it aint gonna be till February anyway.

[speedy231278]

Try and work out how bent the stanchion is before buying anything. If it's just a minor tweek it could be repaired, and it might not have to come apart to be straightened.

[Baz]

With 180 degrees rotation the bottom of the fork lower moves about 5mm so its only bent aprox 2.5mm. It is not visibly bent and the bike handles fine but the tyre and mudguard dont line up. I originally put this down to it being a cheap fibreglass copy like the rest of the bodywork.

[speedy231278]

I'd take it to a fork specialist. The worst they can do is tell you it's too far gone.

[hunter]

With the top and bottom pinch bolts slack on that one leg,Pull on the clipon and rotate the leg as much as you can,
Take note of any change in the alignment of the wheel and mudguard,Try and get a full rotation,If no change then you also have a twist in the yoke.