I have purchased a Gen 6 which has had a front end collision causing the front forks to be bent back slightly. I have just replaced the forks with a second hand set which appear straight and true. I slid them in place and tightened bottom and top triple clamps, rolled the front wheel into place but there was a 10mm (approx 1/2 inch) gap at the axle/ Between the hub spacers and the fork. I put the axle in and the gap closed up easily when I tightened the axle home. The forks seem to operate OK but... Not having much experience with front forks etc I want to check is the gap OK or does it mean the top or bottom triple maybe slightly bent? Any ideas would be much appreciated.
It sounds like the forks are wall-eyed or splayed outward--wider at the bottom than at the top. Of course the spacing should be the same all the way, if they are parallel. Did you check or adjust the top triple to align with the bottom triple? In a front end collision that bends the forks, it is also likely that the top triple has rotated on the stem with respect to the bottom. Sometimes the stem itself gets bent too. Take the wheel off and insert the axle only from one side to see if it aligns with the other side without forcing it--that is a quick test to let you know, go no-go...
Thanks, I haven't done any of your suggestion so that gives me something to work on. I had just loosened the clamps and slid the old leg out and the new leg in. I will loosen the stem this time and let everything line itself up be fore I tighten the clamps and stem then see if the gap is for at the bottom. I thought also I can rotate the fork slider around to see of the gap changes which would show a slightly bent slider.
Be sure to check for free wheel rotation after things are tightened. Good idea to inspect or replace steering bearings anytime forks get pranged.
