[highplains240]

On my 2003 sp2, the forks don't like to rebound and the compression is a little sticky. I've played with the rebound settings and I get little or no improvement. So when I'm under braking, they compress sloppily and don't rebound until I'm under acceleration.

The bike has 2200 miles and was a theft recovery where the thief had layed it down. As far as I can tell, he/she didn't lay it down too hard because there wasn't too much damage. I went to the local shop where the suspension expert wasn't there but the owner suggested that I check to see if the pinch bolts on the bottom were too tight. They seem ok because i still have no improvement.

There are no signs of leaking seals but could they still be low on fluid? I heard bent axle might cause it but I'm sure i would've noticed that 700 miles ago. Any ideas/suggestions?

[Rigor]

Bent axle maybe, but more possibly a bent stanchion. I'd remove the front wheel and check all the parts independantly. Check each stanchion for excessive stiction. One side will effect the other. If the axle is ok, you may have to go the route and remove the forks/tubes and check them off the bike.

If the axle were bent due to a drop or fall, I'd expect to see some artifact on it due to impact.

My bet is on a bent fork leg.

[highplains240]

thanks for the ideas. i'd hate to think that a stanchion would be bent because i've been in what seems like worse wrecks and still had good forks. And the rc even has some pretty beefy tubes. but since i wasn't there for the wreck, i can't really say. and the axle, don't you think i would've noticed by how it rides if it were bent or not? there is visible signs of damage so i hope that would be an easy fix.

an acquaintance of mine is a honda techy and he thought maybe a slider has seized up inside causing severe resistance for both rebound and compression without showing any exterior signs. i plan to take the front end apart soon because i only have two weeks before a spring break deals gap trip. but is this work something i can do in my garage with regular tools?

i really appreciate the input. keep it coming!

[vmax72000]

check that the legs havn't twisted in the yokes,very common.
can rectify by loosening the yoke bolts and re-aligning them

[highplains240]

is they an easy and smart way to realign them?

[vmax72000]

obviously you need a straight edge to make sure the wheels are still in line.
If your unsure ask your dealer to check. Also have you changed the fork oil yet?

[highplains240]

sorry, maybe i'm having a hard time visualizing this, but how could the twisted fork leg in the yoke effect anything internally? the fork is symmetrical so any change in its external angular position should have no effect on the components inside, right???