Leaning trike

[djm0242]

Ok fellas I went trail riding last weekend in LA. We were having a blast riding on an 800 acre ranch. We emerged from the woods and hit some tall grass. Against my better judgement we took off. Of course I jumped over a rut that I didn't see. I landed pretty hard but didn't crash. Nothing seemed wrong. No noises or clunks. No binding or issues. We get back to our campsite and my buddy says hey doesn't your bike look like it's leaning a bit? It turns out it was and it is. I recently pulled the rear axle so I know there's no issue there. It has brand new All Balls hub and axle bearings less than a year ago. The hubs are nice and tight - no weeble wobbles. I pulled the rear shock, it's straight. The only thing I'm left with is the swing arm. Thàts the only thing left that it could be. Any experiences or advice? We are talking about my ATC250ES.

[Ghostv2]

I know it's hard to sometimes capture perspective with an average camera but try to post some pictures of the leaning when you get a chance.

[atc007]

I would def suspect swingarm. You have a LOT more leverage there with the big meats than Honda intended 85's are less sturdy than 86 up also..

[djm0242]

Ill get a pic up. It's probably leaning by at least a half inch. By the time the geometry reaches the top of the left fender it's off by a couple inches.

[110 atc]

My 200s fell off a trailer the day it was purchased new by a coworker of mine. It sat crooked like your talking about. The steering neck was bent about 15 degrees or so. I ended up doing a frame swap.

[Dirtcrasher]

^ I as well wanted to mention the steering neck.
Get the rear tires inflated to the exact circumference and place the rear tires on a perfect level surface for the perfect horizontal, then place the level on the neck for the vertical level. You tweaked something, they tweak back.

Those bolted on tubes to the differential can bend very easy. Don't know how hard you hit but you do.........

[djm0242]

ok here's some pics. Still kinda dirty from the trip too busy working to do more than a hose down. Anyway.... results of measured distance from fender to tire on the left side is 4.75" on the right it's 6.5"!! Certainly noticeable. When I left the ground as soon as I realized what was happening I leaned and pulled back. I landed awkwardly setting the left side tire first pretty hard. I really didn't catch any serious air. It was more like a bump, then a quick jump and then a hard bump again. I didn't land on the front tire to my recollection. I have looked and looked at the front and back and just don't see it. I don't see any play in the swing arm bearings. I don't see any bent tubes. I even measured the front fork tubes and they are the same. I am left with thinking two things. Either the swing arm is bent or worse the frame is bent.

[Dave8338]

I'm inclined to agree with 110 ATC. When mine went off the trailer last spring at 60+ mph and cart-wheeled down the interstate, it turned out to be a twist in the frame, behind the head stock about 2 1/2 inches. Rotational twist in the frame at this point, does exactly what you are describing. I was able to get mine about 90% straight but if you l;ook at it closely from the front, you can see it.

My .02

[trike savior]

have same issue with 1 of my 250sx. have not taken apart yet but it appears to be the swingarm being tweaked. mine is so bad it actually causes it to ride horribly on pavement. might be time to find a donor bike. be sure to check frame for cracks and breaks.

[djm0242]

I will pull the tank and see if there's anything noticeable in the frame. Thanks for any and all advice gents. I'm still ready to consider any and all possibilities so if you think of anything lemme know. A way to measure something that worked for you... A way to bend it back again!

[Dave8338]

I tied mine tight to my 773 Bobcat ~ 8500lbs of dead weight with ratchet straps and bolted together a pair of 2x8's 8 feet long with the frame sandwiched between them.

[MNhondaguy]

Beings the fork tubes look leaned over as well, I'm guessing swinger. If its apart check for perfect parallel angles between axle tube and pivot tubes. Both front back, and top bottom.

[MattDragontamer]

If you can shake it side to side you might feel some slop... if so, the swing arm bearing need replacing.
In addition, many of the trikes that are suspended on a single shock tend to lean on one side.
If your shock is original, check it out where the bolts go in. Sometimes hard landing will obliterate the rubber in there.
And finally, as mentioned, measure your front forks, if the spring inside one of the forks should be broken, the shock tube
should be shorter on the side it is sloping to.

[DohcBikes]

In addition, many of the trikes that are suspended on a single shock tend to lean on one side.

I have 5. None of them lean to one side.

There are a few, but not many trikes out there with dual rear shocks.

And finally, as mentioned, measure your front forks, if the spring inside one of the forks should be broken, the shock tube
should be shorter on the side it is sloping to.

Not necessarily, unless the front axle is bent too!




The forks and entire front headstock appear to be perpendicular to the rear rack. The frame is not tweaked much, if at all.

My opinion is that the damage is somewhere from the swingarm pivot back.

[atc007]

Nice property,nice car Those pics didn't tell me much.. The one from the front whispers frame to me. But I have personally trashed 2 85 swingarms. Whatever it is,should be pretty darn obvious. That is pretty tweaked.