Is there a few measurements I can do to see if my bike is square?

Im with GI, bent forks could be the culprit.. it only takes a couple of mm to affect the handling, can you post a pic of your front tyre ?

Bent Forks test

I check bent forks by jacking the bike up from underneath, the loosing the top and bottom bolt on the triple tree (one side at a time) that holds the chrome part of the fork to the triple tree, once loosened, you should be able to grip the chrome fork leg and turn it around easily ( tighten back up before trying the other side ), if it wont turn then there is a good chance the fork could be bent. Also have a look for movement in your headstem.. could be bearings are causing the handling issues :

How to test head stem bearings :

With the front wheel off the ground, start turning the bars from side to side you may be able to feel it being notchy as you doing it. The movement should be nice and smooth. Another method is it sit on the bike, apply the front brake and rock the bike back and forward.. you may feel a small amount of movement which may be worn headstem bearings.

Last but not least.. how are your tyre pressures ?

 

run a straight chalkmark on flat concrete and push bike along it. if deviates somewhere a problem. try triangulating from front wheel to fixed points either side of bike. 1mm or less nornmally in tolerance level . jap stuff is normally identical.

 

Saw a bike at my mechanics sometime back, rider was experiencing similar problem to you. Fork tubes were marked slightly but not bent, head stem bearing adjusted and greased, still no resolve??? The bike had been involved in an accident at some stage, no much known how or where. In desperation the entire head stem was found to have a crack within, At that stage I was a little lost but a second hand one was sourced and problem solved.
I never fully understood the implication, perhaps worth a look!!

 

If you have a windows machine, right mouse click on the picture - > send to - > Mail recipient and select 1024x768, then save the image from the e-mail and it will be smaller.

If you dont have the necessary tools, then drop by your local bike shop, Im sure it will take them less than an hour of their time to determine the cause of your handling issues, this could well be $100 well spent.

 

other thing is brand of tyre. ch4nese ones may not have the internal cords right.have seen a few tyres wearing funny from there.

 

Hey Andrew
The photo clearly shows extra wear to one side of your front tyre??? It's been awhile since I worked on an Across so I am uncertain how the mudguard is attached. Some bikes have a plate that the mudguard attaches to, others are fastened on the forks with 2 bolts each side. If yours is attached to the forks, I would hazard a guess that you have a bent fork which has applied more pressure on one side causing that lift in your guard. This is but pure supposition on my behalf, but kinda makes sense. Adverse pressure applied to the plastic guard will do this. Keep us posted.

 

other thing you might try is swapping the fork legs over.do not know if it can be done on accross.

 

also put spirit level across frame and when bubble level use small spirit level on headstem holder and see if vertical.

 

take the fairing off and set bike on flat concrete.have the missus take the kids away and get a mate to help.jack under the motor to get front wheel off ground.

 

also try bike with extra 3 pound of pressure in tyres and adjust to your body weight. my 750 honda feels mushy if i do not run 36 in front tyre.

 

if you felt resistance turning the handlebars there is a good chance you are missing some head stem bearings or they need grease.. undo the top head stem nut and see if bearings missing or dry.be careful not to lose bearings andbearings are cheaper at a bearing shop than a bike dealer.