85 250ES forks "stuck"

[Honda_Dude]

Hey, I have an 85 250ES I just got. I noticed when riding it it didn't track straight. It has a pull to the left. The forks looked fine. I took some measurements and can't find anything bent. Today I pulled the front wheel off and checked the axle....not bent.

How I missed this I don't know, but AFTER I pulled the front wheel and was measuring, inspecting, and such I noticed the forks wouldn't compress. WTF ??
I put the front wheel back on and noticed there's a slight lean in the front wheel.
I put all of my weight on the front end and....no shocks???? WTF ????

Well I'm glad I found no bends, breaks, or bad bearings but........I've never had forks apart before. I have a manual but is it strange for forks to "lock up".

I'll tear into this tomorrow but could the forks be shot or would a disassemble & check/replace/rebuild fix what is wrong ??????

I'll know more I'm sure but what would cause them to lockup ????? seems strange.
PEACE.......Thanx...........:TrikesOwn


Oh....can you buy fork "rebuild kits" or individual parts only ????

[MagicJames]

Forks are very simple, Just remember in which order you took them apart in.
All you need is a Fork rebuild kit and fork oil.

[hondahaulic]

frozen forks alone still shouldn't really cause a pull to the side (allthough they should still be fixed). Are the rear tires inflated the same? Check to make sure the pressures are the same. (simple, i know)

Even if they have the same pressure, they could still be uneven. You can measure the circumference of one tire with a flexible tape and then adjust the other tire pressure accordingly. You can also just use trial and error, add a little to one side or let some out of the other, and then see how it goes.

[Honda_Dude]

Thanks for the replies. The reason I thought the forks were the problem is because the front wheel seems to have a slight lean to it and with the front axle out, it seems the holes for the front axle weren't the same height. You know what I mean? Almost like one fork is frozen high and one fork is frozen low. Hopefully they're not bent. What else could cause improper tracking ?? With the front end in the air, I had minimal movement in the steering but none in the forks/wheel.

I'll look for a rebuild kit and go check my rear tires now. I'll use to tape measure method as I don't have a low pressure tire gauge anymore.
Hey thanks again.........

[Honda_Dude]

Okay, I'll have to buy another low pressure air gauge as mine has left the building. One of the rear tires definitely has more air in it than the other. But I took some pix of my forks and front tire, then one with my forks I just finished removing. They are cell phone pix as my camera is dead at the moment.

The last pic I just took inside and it's kind of dark but i think you can see it clear enough.

If you measure from the axle hole to the top of the shock, there is about 1/2" to 3/4" difference so yah, I believe this made the axle sit at an angle.

Now to me it's pretty odd that the forks would freeze at different heights like that. My fork boots are shot so it looks like I'll need new boots and a rebuild kit. I haven't had any luck finding a kit. Babbits has individual parts but no kit.

What all gets replaced in a rebuild if I can't find a kit or anyone know where I can find a kit ????? I guess I'll tear into them & see what I need ????


http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/Four_Trax/0827091910.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/Four_Trax/0827091909.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/Four_Trax/0827091911.jpg


http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/Four_Trax/0827092018.jpg

[gladiator mice]

iv got the same problem right now on my big red 250. its got more lean to the right than yours. i noticed the shocks dont want to compress.