Ok gents..experts too

I just bought a 99 polaris 400 sport. You know the one..that looks like ronald mcdonald should be on it..

Anyway I have noticed that the handlebars are not aligned with the wheels. They sit about oh 5 degrees or so of when the wheels are straight and when riding you have to turn the bars to the right slightly to get it to steer straight.

I am hoping that this is NOT a bent steering post.

Would anyone out there have any suggestions on what I need to be looking at to correct this problem. I have a photo I can send if needed.

Thanks in advance and feel free to throw some emails my way if you know what I need to do....

 

Welcome to the forum! Have someone hold the bars perfectly straight while you look at the front tires. if one is toed out or in to much,loosen the 19mm/3/4" tie rod lock nuts and readjust tires to where they toe OUT about 3/8" at the front. If you don't trust your eyeballs just use a straight edge along the back tire toward the front,then you can see a little better on how much to adjust. Check both sides then test drive. Also if tie rod ends are worn, can cause alignment problems. If none of this helps then could be bent bars or the steering post. OPT

 

Took a harder look yesterday and it's not to big of a problem but since I suck at mechanical work..going to get a friend to help me out with this.

1) When someone smacked <insert object here> it bent the rod that is inserted into the A Arm. Since they did not put a washer and only the bushing, it looksl like it really pushed it back and bent the end of the rod, causing the A Arm to have a half inch gap between the a arm and the frame.
2) Bent shock.

Checked on parts, less the shock, it will be around $70, and this is including the radiator shroude which has a nice good sized dent.

Hopefully be next weekend I can have the parts as well as it back up and running top shape....I would really like to tear up some trails.