Just got Shells sporty back today and they said they straightened the forks. Is that an acceptable method of repair or should they be replaced? I rode it home today and it didn't feel as good in corners as it used too from what I remember. I haven't ridden it for a while though either and compared to the streetbob well its nothing like it so can't compare.

Is it worth your life? For me, I would buy a new set. Thats just my opinion. 

 i would not accept that as a repair, was it just the tubes they straightened or the trees as well, when the tubes bend the trees take some of the force as well and being cast can be stressed and hairline cracked. I was going to give Bob Martins details for you to call but found this on another site that someone else posted. 

Just found out that Bob Martin Engineering is out of Business due to Government regulations that was brought in not allowing motorcycle frames etc to be repaired after being in an accident or frames to be straightened
This info was from the guy who use to do a lot of the frame straighting at Bob Martin Engineering

Try taking them apart, if you unbolt them and have a bastard of a time pulling them apart and struggle to get them togethar again, something is badly wrong.

 

Thanks houli.
The bottom tree has been replaced as the stop block had been broken off it in the accident and as far as I know the top tree looks like it hasb't been replaced, water marks on it, looks like the old one to me.
The mufflers they put on are cheap harley knock offs no harley part number stamped on it.
Ya just can't trust these bastards can ya.

don't accecpt it Mick, you do have the right to ring your insurance company and refuse to accept the workmanship or materials, i have done it before myself, they repaired the item to my satisfaction eventually

Have a look at the chrome around on the tubes around where they clamp into the trees.

If there is any sign of the chrome creasing then, it is no good at all

and if the impact was hard enough to wreck the bottom tree, I would be suspect about the front end

dont even ride it bud ditch the fork tubes fast !!!! they are made of fairly thin ! material and once its bent its basicly stuffed ?? esp the materials they use these days .....same for frames made with hi tens steel etc once they are bent even a 1/2 mm they are stuffed .......dont risk your or ya misses life .

Lots of force at work when braking etc, I wouldn't be happy with the job when a new set of tubes is not that expensive.

when i did a bad bad thing and hit jilli in the rear i of course took the bike to M&W they repaired a few things. The reason for this post once i fixed the vib with the engine mount spacer i got rid of the pins and needles in the hands . After the mishap they returned so i told them and they said the forks were fine IE not bent. its just so happened that i had a warranty issue with the forks and they were replaced and low and behold the vibration disappeared with old forks .

So if i were you mick id see or demand some new forks and use any excuse you can to get them .

The fork seals will wear and leak pretty quick I'd say, if the straightening is not up to scratch. Tubes go oval when bent. If the chrome is stuffed around that area you will also see leakage. Should be a good tell tail.

What are these people thinking!!

Get them replaced. Once a fork is bent it's stuffed. Junk them.