hi here is a nother problem (hopefully my last) the bike shop said there was nothing wrong I don't think so. So here it is WHEN I RIDE STRAIGHT THE HANDLEBAR, LITES AND TRIPPLE TREE SEEM TO BE BENT A LITTLE TO THE LEFT. WHEN I STRAIGHTEN OUT THE HANDLEBARS THE FRONT WHEEL IS COCKED A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT. NOW I REPLACED THE TRIPPLE TREE( NOT THE TOP PART) AND THE FORKS (TUBES THE BIG CHROME ONES I FORGET THE NAME OF ALLTHESE PARTS) ANY SUGGESTIONS? I AM RUNNING OUT OF PARTS .IT DIFFINATLY LOOKS LIKE THE FORKS ARE TWISTED SOMEWHERE THE BIKE DID GO DOWN SOMETIME IN ITS LIFE. THERE WAS A NICE BIG DENT IN THE OIL TANK.( ITS A 80 XLH) THANKS ALL LARRY. PS THE SUSUKI DEALER TOLD ME TO GET RIDE OF THIS OBSOLETE BIKE HE CAN KISS MY @#@#@PS. CAN IT BE THE FRONT AXLE? HAVEN'T REPLACED THAT YET.

 

solitaryman....
The fork tubes cannot twist, only get bent. This sounds to me like you have the fork tubes, tree and top mount bolted down in a twisted position.
Loosen both clamp bolts on the lower tree.
Loosen the fork cap nuts at the top. (Very top end of the tubes)
Loosen the stem clamp bolt located on the top yoke.

Now, set the front wheel pointing straight ahead. You may need someone to help with this.
Twist your handlebars so that they also point straight. You will notice the yoke, tree and clamp area around the stem will move. The tree slips around the fork tubes.
When all is straight, tighten the clamp bolts on the tree. This holds the tubes in position.
Tighten the top yoke stem clamp bolt.
Tighten both fork tube caps.
This should fix your mis-alignment problem.........pg
ps....Edit note: Oh, I forgot to ask you a question. I thought you said you have a 1980 model Sporty? If that is the case, could you please tell us what the last portion of your engine is?
We have a discussion going on here at the moment regarding engine numbers for a 1980 model. The question is: What is the last 3 or 4 digits of your number, and does this contain an 'H' or an 'I' as part of the number?

 

thanks for the infor. will do as you advised have to get the wife to help me(oh boy) she doesn't like riding anyway complains allllll the time, hair ,cold ,has to pee etc. a real buzz kill. now i ride solo. much better larry