Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Alignment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 4, 2015 | 07:32 AM
  #1  
dbeach2014's Avatar
dbeach2014
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: florida
Default Alignment

Gentleman,

When I take my hands off the handlebars the bike goes left... Any thoughts?


Dennis
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2015 | 08:18 AM
  #2  
AUTOT3K's Avatar
AUTOT3K
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 372
Likes: 3
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Default

Tire pressures are at spec and the weight is evenly distributed?
If those are ok then I'd double check the rear axle, perhaps at the last belt adjustment one adjuster got turned more then the other causing your back tire to track different
 

Last edited by AUTOT3K; Sep 4, 2015 at 09:07 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2015 | 08:31 AM
  #3  
Warp Factor's Avatar
Warp Factor
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Default

Originally Posted by dbeach2014
Gentleman,

When I take my hands off the handlebars the bike goes left... Any thoughts?


Dennis
Not necessarily abnormal on our bikes, especially with a lighter aftermarket exhaust. The primary side of the bike is heavier. Sometimes you can tweak rear wheel alignment enough to make it go away. For instance, having the left side of the rear wheel a little further back would put a little more wind pressure on that side of the bike. Take it too far though, and it can make handling funny in corners, not to mention problems with the belt tracking properly.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2015 | 09:14 AM
  #4  
8541hog's Avatar
8541hog
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Default

Originally Posted by dbeach2014
Gentleman,

When I take my hands off the handlebars the bike goes left... Any thoughts?


Dennis
Don't take your hands off the bars?

Does it act the same at different speeds? Is it a gentle drift or a pull?
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2015 | 11:14 AM
  #5  
jaxdwg's Avatar
jaxdwg
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
Default

Originally Posted by dbeach2014
Gentleman,

When I take my hands off the handlebars the bike goes left... Any thoughts?


Dennis
Poor man's alignment: put bike on Jack and spin the rear wheel while being directly behind the rear sprocket. Adjust wheel until the belt stays as close to center of sprocket as you can get it. Keeping the tension correct, tighten everything up and go for a ride. I have two Harley's and they both go straight with hands off. Of course I'm kinda **** about my bike going dead straight. When I'm on longer ride I often ride for miles with just a little body english, no hands, with the cruise on and no traffic. I keep my cars aligned too, I have my own alignment machine at my shop so it's no big deal for me, and the tires last a lot longer too.--- food for thought!
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2015 | 11:20 AM
  #6  
perki48's Avatar
perki48
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Default

[QUOTE=Warp Factor;14364349] " having the left side of the rear wheel a little further back would put a little more wind pressure on that side of the bike."


I needed a good laugh this morning, Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2015 | 04:25 PM
  #7  
Donny's Avatar
Donny
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 7
From: Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by jaxdwg
Poor man's alignment: put bike on Jack and spin the rear wheel while being directly behind the rear sprocket. Adjust wheel until the belt stays as close to center of sprocket as you can get it. Keeping the tension correct, tighten everything up and go for a ride. I have two Harley's and they both go straight with hands off. Of course I'm kinda **** about my bike going dead straight. When I'm on longer ride I often ride for miles with just a little body english, no hands, with the cruise on and no traffic. I keep my cars aligned too, I have my own alignment machine at my shop so it's no big deal for me, and the tires last a lot longer too.--- food for thought!
Exactly how I do mine. Made a world of difference in handling and tire life.
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2015 | 06:36 AM
  #8  
Warp Factor's Avatar
Warp Factor
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Default

Originally Posted by perki48
" having the left side of the rear wheel a little further back would put a little more wind pressure on that side of the bike."


I needed a good laugh this morning, Thanks.
That's cool. It's true though. Rear wheel alignment will affect whether the bike runs perfectly straight down the road, or slightly sideways, presenting more of one side or the other to the wind. Not that changing the air pressure on each side of the bike is the only thing going on when rear wheel alignment is changed. It's just one of the easiest to visualize and explain. Explaining some of the other dynamics of rear-wheel steering gets much more complicated.
 

Last edited by Warp Factor; Sep 5, 2015 at 11:43 AM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 5, 2015 | 09:48 AM
  #9  
8541hog's Avatar
8541hog
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Default

[QUOTE=Warp Factor;14367057]
Originally Posted by perki48

That's cool. It's true though. Rear wheel alignment will affect whether the bike runs perfectly straight down the road, or slightly sideways, presenting more of one side or the other to the wind. Not that changing the air pressure on each side of the bike is the only thing going on when rear wheel alignment is changed. It's just one of the easiest to visualize and explain. Explaining some of the other dynamics of rear-wheel steering gets much more complicated.
It has nothing to do with air pressure on the side of the bike, it has to do with the wheel not being straight in relation to the front wheel and frame and therefor physically trying to steer the bike to that side....have you ever been behind a vehicle that looked like it was going down the road crooked?
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2015 | 10:38 AM
  #10  
perki48's Avatar
perki48
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Default

[QUOTE=Warp Factor;14367057]
Originally Posted by perki48

That's cool. It's true though. Rear wheel alignment will affect whether the bike runs perfectly straight down the road, or slightly sideways, presenting more of one side or the other to the wind. Not that changing the air pressure on each side of the bike is the only thing going on when rear wheel alignment is changed. It's just one of the easiest to visualize and explain. Explaining some of the other dynamics of rear-wheel steering gets much more complicated.
For "air" pressure on the side of the bike to effect it the alignment would have to be so far out that the bike would be unridable.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:23 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE