Handle bars look slightly off kelter

[hubbsfd]

I noticed the other day sitting on my 2008 RSV that the handle bars look to be slightly out of align with the tree. I have had the front lowered and put on a set of Baron's 1.5" risers. The bars are centered left to right pretty good but the left side seems to be slightly higher than the right side so it looks like the bars are pointing a little to the right of center. How is that even possible? The holes to mount the bars would dictate the bars being the same. The only way it seems to me they could be off would be left to right in the riser mounts but they are pretty close to perfect. Is it possible that when the shop lowered my fork they didn't get something just right?

[bongobobny]

I'll almost bet that at one time in it's life the bike was trailered and they used the handlebars to tie it down. Bends them every time...

[hubbsfd]

I'll almost bet that at one time in it's life the bike was trailered and they used the handlebars to tie it down. Bends them every time...

 

That would make more sense than anything I had tried to think of. It has been trailored and yes the bars were used. Luckily the amount they are crooked is only very slight. I've been riding it since last trailored for 8 months and I just noticed it. Of course, now I'll notice it all the time dang it.

 

Is there a good way to bend them right?

[Ventureless]

I noticed the same with mine, but it ended up being the fairing that was slightly further back some how on one side. It gave the appearance of the bar being bent or crooked.

[WildBill1]

Before you start tweaking and bending check too see if the bar that looks off is resting on the top of the fork down tube. Also verify that the bar is fully seated in both handle bar clamps. They might have lowered it too far!

 

Bill,

[ragtop69gs]

When mine had that appearance it was actually loose neck bearing, torquing the bearing corrected the off kilter look.

[hubbsfd]

When mine had that appearance it was actually loose neck bearing, torquing the bearing corrected the off kilter look.

 

I have never messed with the forks much before. That's why I had my favorite shop lower it for me. Had them lower it 1". So you're talking about the big bolt on top just under the bars? You know I need to take the bike in anyway soon. I'll ask them to see if they see what I see and hear if they have thoughts. Thanks everyone for chiming in. All good thoughts I had not thought of.

[ragtop69gs]

I have never messed with the forks much before. That's why I had my favorite shop lower it for me. Had them lower it 1". So you're talking about the big bolt on top just under the bars? You know I need to take the bike in anyway soon. I'll ask them to see if they see what I see and hear if they have thoughts. Thanks everyone for chiming in. All good thoughts I had not thought of.

 

My forks are up 1" also and today I noticed that the fork covers have hit the fender mount boss on the lower fork leg. guess I'm gonna have to do a fork rebuild soon, new everything in there. I'm going to try putting if off till riding season ends. 61K miles on the clock.

[djh3]

Mine has looked a bit tweaked also since adding the risers and lowering forks which I did at the same time. To me it looks like the faring is a bit asquew. I wrote it off to the handelbars giving a different perspective.