Motorcycle Repair: Bar issue, sportster 883, quick jerk

Question
QUESTION: Mike, I saw your answer on the Yamaha but I have a 2001 Sportster 883 Hugger. It had the buckhorn bars but I installed the factory bars.Now, when I did the bars they did not align with the wheel. I loosened the 4 pinch bolts and put the wheel between my legs and turned it while someone else tightened the bolts as it was hard to turn it. I don't know if that's normal or not but anyway it did not appear to fix the problem completely. It still is not lined up perfectly. Now I did not loosen the 4 fender bolts because I thought that wasn't necessary. Also when I loosened the 4 pinch bolts I guess I should have expected this but the retainer slid down the forks which is no problem.  Someone else told me that the riser is in rubber and all I have to do is just give it a quick jerk and that will straighten the bars. Not sure what to do and would like to know what you think.

ANSWER: was the buckhorn bars square with the front end?
Mike

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QUESTION: not sure since I did not ride the bike. Working on getting my license.

Answer
If your bars are off that much you might either have a bent frame or a bent front end. Trying to straighten them like you did will not help and rubber in the risers will not cause the problem. Check the neck of the frame and look for cracks int he paint or in the metal. Check the forks and see if there are any tweeks in the fork tubes
Good luck and happy riding
Mike