Hey all, this is my first post. Hoping someone here has more knowledge of the 9 than I do. Just picked up a 97 9R that had been laid down. The bike was in great shape except for the left fairing (scratched not cracked) and the front wheel had a chunk out of it. Heres my issue: The wheelhits the bottom of the fairing.I had the forks checked, they looked straight by naked eye but shop said they were bent, soooo Ireplacedthe forks....Still hits. Replaced the trees even though they looked fine..slapped em on this evening...Still hitting. Ive checked the fairing mounts they all look fine an in place... Ive looked the whole frame over and couldnt find a bend a crack anything! I dont get it and im getting very frustrated. I was hoping someone who owns this bike would have more info on what generally gives and where. I could just put it back together and cut a chunk out of the fairing but I would rather have it right for safety sake. I can take pictures if needed incase im missing something. Thanks ALOT! -Josh
Anyone who has any ideas please spit em out before I give up on this beautiful 9.

 

welcome to KF. don't give up bro. post sum pics we'll check it out.

 

I assume you changed out the front wheel and tire when you did the forks and trees?

 

Bent axle? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense really - unless your tire is too big (should be a 120/70/17)... there is actually a fair amount of distance between the fender and the rubber...

Here is mine (yes, a tire is on the way)

 

No, not the fender, the lower fairing. Ivepretty much summed it up to a bent frame which doesnt make sense for a frame to give before forks and trees but after looking a pictures my forks seem to be more straight up and down than 9's ive looked at in the pics. Im boggled since I cant see any damage to the frame. Is there any place in particular that the frame tends to stress? Thanks -Josh

 

You did not answer Josh on if the wheel and tire were changed out.

 

ok... that makes even less sense... tire should be nowhere near the fairing - especially as the fender would need to be in between

What part of the tire is rubbing on what part of the fairing?

A frame bent that severely should not even be able to hold plastic on as half the holes wouldn't line up. Sounds to me like it might be a bent or cracked steering knuckle & headset if the forks are true.

Rake angle should be 24 degrees - if it is anything less than that - then you have got issues for sure, and it could be rather dangerous to ride... so check the angle.

 

No the wheel has not been changed yet due to not being able to find one local. You can spin the wheel and it hits the same all the way around, not as if it was oblong.I can see what youre saying about the fairing mounts butone is on the cradle andanother on the bottom backof the frame so it may not be difficult to line up, as it is not. The wholeheadsethas already been switched w/ no change in condition.How would I go about checking the rake? Im going to take a pictureso yall can see what I do. Thanksfor your advice sofar, I would love to get thisfixed to see what the ol'9 is capable of.

 

Ok guys heres some pics , see if anyone can make anything of this mess. High res. camera so you should be able to blow up if need be. -Josh Also remember no radiator on right now.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ZX9Rresize.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...X9Rresize2.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...R006resize.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../ZX9R007re.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../ZX9R010re.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../ZX9R009re.jpg

 

Mine ('95) had a similar problem when I got it; had been wrecked and in a bone yard. I know you aren't wild about trimming the lowerfairing, but that was my solution. (Just enough to turn lock to lock.) I don't run the little triangular "scoop" at all. But, I also have an oversized radiator, too. (Go to my pics album.)
BTW, damn fine looking 9 you got there!