handle bars or steering column?

Cooper0809

Cooper0809

New member
Joined
Nov 4, 2012
Messages
1,206
Age
40
Location
Fergus, Ontario
When I first got the sled, I did notice that steering was off a little. So I took the bars off and noticed the plate that is welded to the column is crooked. I think that's the problem anyways. Hard to tell if its the factory weld or not. I personally don't think it is the factory weld. The bars are straight, and when I had the air box out the column looked fine too. But I got a feeling somebody hit something, snapped the plate off the column and tried welding it back on. Only didn't weld it straight. What are your thoughts on this? And should I try re-welding the plate or install a new column? How hard would it be to install a new column? Sorry for so many questions guys, but this is all new to me. Thanks a lot

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staggs65 said:
definitely not the factory weld. they got it crooked. I've got a good one here but shipping to Ontario would probably make it not worth it.
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Ya I saw where you were from in my last post and didn't think it would be worth it. Thanks anyways tho.
 
What would be the easiest solution for this year? I was thinking placing some shims under the one side, but not sure if it would be safe. Next year I plan on replacing the column unless I can weld it myself or have someone else weld it straight.
 
If you have a welder readily available I would bust out the cut off wheel and get to work. Either way you should remove the column to do a proper job rewelding and making sure its square. At that point you may as well get a new one unless money is tight.
 
Probably from a handle bar riser more than a collision. Put a 4-6 inch riser on it and its almost garaunteed to break. Personally I would get a chunk of pipe same as or as close as possible to diameter of handle bar. Clamp one end in bar clamps, which ever way your more comfortable wheter its pulling up or pushing down. GENTLY apply EVEN pressure. Yanking,jerky, bouncing you more like to break it as opposed to bend it back straight. Having 4ft should be able to eye ball how straight it is. Worse case scenario that weld breaks and you stuck fixing it right. On a side note, if you have any plans of running bar risers you may want to "sleave" it while you have it apart. This is cutting the flat stem off, sliding a 2nd pipe over shaft, rewelding stem on then welding 2nd pipe to stem and shaft.
 
Devilin AblueDress! said:
Probably from a handle bar riser more than a collision. Put a 4-6 inch riser on it and its almost garaunteed to break. Personally I would get a chunk of pipe same as or as close as possible to diameter of handle bar. Clamp one end in bar clamps, which ever way your more comfortable wheter its pulling up or pushing down. GENTLY apply EVEN pressure. Yanking,jerky, bouncing you more like to break it as opposed to bend it back straight. Having 4ft should be able to eye ball how straight it is. Worse case scenario that weld breaks and you stuck fixing it right. On a side note, if you have any plans of running bar risers you may want to "sleave" it while you have it apart. This is cutting the flat stem off, sliding a 2nd pipe over shaft, rewelding stem on then welding 2nd pipe to stem and shaft.
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Very good, I'll give that a try if I can find a chunk of pipe. If that don't work, then yes I'll have to fix it right. Just starting to run out of time right now that's all. Busy time of year....I do plan on buying 2" ROX pivot risers.

How far down the column would you put the sleeve?
 
Has to reach at least beyond first support of collomn, sleave can be hollow or solid round bar, what ever you can find that fits. Or check for one for sale that already ben reinforced, might be easier, faster, cheaper.
 
Do yourself a favor and pull the engine and pull shaft out. I had exact same thing happen to me last year. I tried cheating and welding on the sled. Didnt get real good penetration also a real bitch not getting sparks to go where their not wanted. Anyhow thought i had it fixed and went riding and bars broke off half way around a corner. Smacked a tree with it.. Look up fixer upper in search and you will see some pics of my just restored sx needing to be fixed again. So for your safety and others take the time and do it correctly. I gussetted mine and sleeved it so hopefully willnever happen again
 
yami1 said:
Do yourself a favor and pull the engine and pull shaft out. I had exact same thing happen to me last year. I tried cheating and welding on the sled. Didnt get real good penetration also a real bitch not getting sparks to go where their not wanted. Anyhow thought i had it fixed and went riding and bars broke off half way around a corner. Smacked a tree with it.. Look up fixer upper in search and you will see some pics of my just restored sx needing to be fixed again. So for your safety and others take the time and do it correctly. I gussetted mine and sleeved it so hopefully willnever happen again
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I plan on doing it the right way next year and replacing the whole column. But was just looking at the forecast and we could be getting up to 50cm (17") in a couple days, so im not even gona bother fixin it right now.
 
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