How anal are you about rear wheel alignment?

No Worries · 08-05-2009, 09:51 PM

Trying to get the front wheel straight and then using string is old school. The easiest way is to have the rear axle parallel to the swing arm pivot bolt. If your exhaust is not in the way, just use a measuring tape so both sides are equal.

If your exhaust or centerstand is in the way, a set of dividing calipers works well. I made a set using a straight metal pole and clamps that hold Burette tubes like in chemistry class. I put a long nail in each of the two clamps and slide them along the bar. I place one nail into the center of the swing arm bolt and the other in the center of the axle. tighten down the clamps, check the chain slack, and check the other side. When both sides have the same distance between the axle and swingarm, the wheel is perfectly straight.

This picture shows the bar, one clamp, and a long nail in the clamp with the point in the center of the swingarm bolt. The other end of the bar (not shown) has another clamp, with a long nail in the center of the axle bolt. The long nails offset the bar away from my exhausts.

Gas Man · 08-05-2009, 10:00 PM

I do the measurement from center of pivit bolt to center of axle on all the cruisers... but seldom do peeps here use the same meathods. The tool I posted is what I used on my rockets back then.

Amber Lamps · 08-06-2009, 01:44 AM

I should sell my Motion Pro. Since I got the Gilles adjusters I don't need it. I used it to double check a couple of times and it came up perfect so I don't use it anymore. Before that I usually counted the threads coming out of the adj bolt... seemed to work okay for me.

08-05-2009, 10:00 PM	#2
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	I do the measurement from center of pivit bolt to center of axle on all the cruisers... but seldom do peeps here use the same meathods. The tool I posted is what I used on my rockets back then. __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

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08-05-2009, 09:51 PM	#1
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	Trying to get the front wheel straight and then using string is old school. The easiest way is to have the rear axle parallel to the swing arm pivot bolt. If your exhaust is not in the way, just use a measuring tape so both sides are equal. If your exhaust or centerstand is in the way, a set of dividing calipers works well. I made a set using a straight metal pole and clamps that hold Burette tubes like in chemistry class. I put a long nail in each of the two clamps and slide them along the bar. I place one nail into the center of the swing arm bolt and the other in the center of the axle. tighten down the clamps, check the chain slack, and check the other side. When both sides have the same distance between the axle and swingarm, the wheel is perfectly straight. This picture shows the bar, one clamp, and a long nail in the clamp with the point in the center of the swingarm bolt. The other end of the bar (not shown) has another clamp, with a long nail in the center of the axle bolt. The long nails offset the bar away from my exhausts.

08-06-2009, 01:44 AM	#3
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	I should sell my Motion Pro. Since I got the Gilles adjusters I don't need it. I used it to double check a couple of times and it came up perfect so I don't use it anymore. Before that I usually counted the threads coming out of the adj bolt... seemed to work okay for me.