Front Tire Alignment

[ducati_tim]

We had such a great time last night riding around that my wife and I decided to do it again tonight. I went down to the garage to shine the bike up a bit, when I noticed that the fender was slightly digging into the tire.



It seems to me that the front wheel is not right. 









There was very little rubber taken off the side, and the bike handled fine last night. If anyone knows what my next steps are, please tell.

[Michael Moore]

Well, first off I probably wouldn't suggest to the missus that she lose weight. No good can come of that. 

I guess I'd put the bike up on stands and pull off the front wheel and inspect the bearings. I'm just guessing here, but we have the same vintage bike, and it looks like your axle may be backed out a bit. There's a lip on the axle that might account for the wheel being skewed - when the axle's all the way in it can't do that. So if when you pull off the wheel and the bearings look good, I'd apply some grease to the axle and re-install the wheel, making sure the pinch bolts and axle nut are tightened to spec. Then see if everything lines up better.

You didn't hit anything huge did you? Have a look at the rim just to be sure it isn't a bent wheel.

That's my 2 cents worth.

Edit: One more thought - the fender is attached by a couple of rubber bands. Since you didn't say anything, I'm thinking you checked to make sure the fender is in the middle of the forks. If the fender got smacked somehow and the only problem is that IT is out of line, then you've got a really easy fix, just loosen the rubber bands, re-center, and re-tighten the fender.

[ducati_tim]

I had checked to see if the fender was twisted, and I think it may have been. Those rubber band things house a nut on one end that the bolts through the fender connect to. It seems that one of the nuts was torn out, but I am not sure if that caused the fender to go out of alignment, or if the tire caused the nut to come out.

I think it looks very cool without the fender, which is messed up from rubbing against the tire, by the way.

[Michael Moore]

Well, it sounds like it might just be the fender. If the tire is equidistant between the forks, then you're probably OK. (but check your pinch and axle bolts just to be sure.)

[Spidey]

I think it looks very cool without the fender, which is messed up from rubbing against the tire, by the way.

I have a fender for an '03 if it fits.  Needs paint.   BTW, go through a puddle or two and then report back how great the bike is without a front fender.

[ducati_tim]

I just got back from Desmoto. They measured, poked and prodded. They even gave me a clamp to replace my broken one. It looks like it was just the fender. 

I think I can salvage my fender, but if not, I will hit you up for yours, Spidey. I am pretty sure it will fit.