intro& odo bracket scrapes tank

[yavcon]

Hello everyone. New here and jumping in with both feet...
Here goes...
The speedometer bracket is rubbing on the gas tank.

Here is some background info that might be relevant: My wife decided one day she wanted to ride a motorcycle. Neither one of us had every ridden before. She got a Honda Shadow. A few years later I got a VTX. Just some inexpensive bikes to test the waters and make sure it's something we could get into before committing. Once we decided it wasn't a passing phase, I helped her get her dream bike, an 06 Chopper. I was going to get a K-9 and then the economy hit us hard. Also, the only dealer in my state disappeared. So then she got a bad wrist injury that put her out of riding commission for an extended time. So I sold the VTX and have been riding her Chopper to keep it from just sitting. Needless to say I love the bike.

Anyway, is it possible that the bike was setup for a female rider, thus putting the bars closer to the seat and is causing this problem?
I tried searching this issue, but if it were addressed before, then my tags need some work.
Any advice or info would be appreciated.
I do have some outstanding recalls and will be taking it in soon, but wanted some research to take in with me.
After lurking for a while, I figured this is the place to ask.
Thanks in advance, I'm somewhat of a motorcycle greenhorn, especially mechanically, so I hope to learn a lot here. Ken.

 

[BadBrad]

Ken,
Any chance you could back up just a little bit and give a bigger picture before zooming in? Hard to make out what I'm looking at, but others with that bike may know.

thanks

 

[Eric]

check bar bushings, might be worn & letting the bars sag down..

 

[KnotSo]

The chopper as opposed to the K-9 was set up for a smaller person, that is who the bike is geared for. Raywood will know all about this issue and will chime in soon enough. After he thaws out...

 

[yavcon]

here is a pic from a bit further out...

As for bushings being worn out, I'm noticing now that there is a rubber gasket where the bars meet the triple tree (?) that are more compressed on the inside than the outside. Possibly the bars were put on too tight and the rubber gasket was compressed at an angle in?

 

[Eric]

some one might have been strapping bike down by the bars instead of the tripple trees.. looks like the bushings are shot. I'd disamble & inspect, may need replacement.

 

[V]

Will the tank slide back any? Big Hammer might help
also theres no play in the neck bushing/bearings is there ?

 

[V]

some one might have been strapping bike down by the bars instead of the tripple trees.. looks like the bushings are shot. I'd disamble & inspect, may need replacement.

Yea now that i look at the pic it does look like the bars have a little bit of lean toward the tank

 

[Eric]

Will the tank slide back any? Big Hammer might help
also theres no play in the neck bushing/bearings is there ?

good point,... check with nelson, he is a supporting bussiness, wicked bastard cycles, or a dealer if it is the bushings,,

 

[BadBrad]

I see what you're talking about now. A different set up than what I have. These guys can definitely lead you in the right direction.

 

[yavcon]

some one might have been strapping bike down by the bars instead of the tripple trees.. looks like the bushings are shot. I'd disamble & inspect, may need replacement.

?? uh....oh boy....what an embarrassing first impression....I did have to trailer it once. I'm pretty sure I strapped around the bars.

This has been a huge help. Only one post, and I learned not to strap the bars, and that my issue is most likely a bushing replacement.

While I'm waiting for recall parts to come in, I'm going to forwarn the shop that I may also need the handlebar bushings replaced. Is this the right terminology? Handlebar bushings?
Thank you all very much. I'm pretty sure this is what's happening.

I never grew up around bikes, and dont really know anyone else who rides, so this is going to be a long learning curve to overcome. Hopefully by the time I can afford the K-9 of my dreams, I'll be a bit more knowledgeable and worthy of it's kickassedness.

 

[BadBrad]

Believe me, we're all constantly going through a learning curve together. Hang in there. You'll be as full of bullshit as the rest of us before long.

 

[Eric]

live & learn my friend. I think there is a thread about some using neopreme bushings, I think thay hold up better but viberate more.. check out hthe thread how to haul your dog. use search,, its our friend, glad we could help,, welcome to the site

 

[RRRUFF]

yavcon, welcome! Looking at the picture the bars do look like they may be leaning toward the tank. But just to be on the safe side check the neck bearings also for looseness. You wouldn't want the steering to lock up.

 

[yavcon]

.

I'll have it down at Dave Perewitz' place soon. I'll be sure to report back on the final diagnostic. Thanks again for all the helpful info. This is a great forum.

 

[Mad Dog]

Welcome Ken. This is the right place to learn.:2thumbs: