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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper 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.
I have checked the alignment of my Dyna Low Rider 2006.
I put the frame straight, measured the angles of the brake discs and found a difference of about 2 degrees (using my iPhone). I then took a shot of the bike to confirm the misalignment. It looked like this: How my Dyna aligns right now.
According to the manual, which I looked into at a later occasion, only one degree of misalignment is acceptable, and it suggests adjusting the stabilizer link (which is holding the top of the engine to the frame) so that the discs align up with each other. I will try this later.
For now, I am curious about what kind of experience you all have in this matter. And I have a couple of questions:
1/ Do I have to remove the petrol tank to reach the stabilizer?
2/ If it is impossible to get a good alignment by using the stabilizer link, which is the most likely reason for the bike not aligning?
(To this question I have some thoughts about the front fork not being straight as the bike had an accident with the previous owner.)
Advice and recommendations are much appreciated.
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Nov 4, 2018 at 07:46 AM.
1/ Do I have to remove the petrol tank to reach the stabilizer?
You might be able to get away with loosening the front tank mount bolt, but removing the rear and the fuel line, and rotating the back of the tank up and forward.
Originally Posted by OakMountainRider
2/ If it is impossible to get a good alignment by using the stabilizer link, which is the most likely reason for the bike not aligning?
(To this question I have some thoughts about the front fork not being straight as the bike had an accident with the previous owner.)
Advice and recommendations are much appreciated.
I would question as to whether you got an accurate measurement using a photo with the iPhone. Alignment is relative to the bike, or something attached/bolted to the bike... and not a picture... too subjective.
Check on your fork lengths, if something was replaced.. it may have not been 'measured'.. .just 'eye-balled'.
[QUOTE=archergodwin;17803302]You might be able to get away with loosening the front tank mount bolt, but removing the rear and the fuel line, and rotating the back of the tank up and forward.
I would question as to whether you got an accurate measurement using a photo with the iPhone. Alignment is relative to the bike, or something attached/bolted to the bike... and not a picture... too subjective.
Check on your fork lengths, if something was replaced.. it may have not been 'measured'.. .just 'eye-balled'.[/QUOTE
True, the picture is just additional graphic and the assumtion of the bike´s misalignment is based on measuring the angles of the brake discs. iPhone has an app for measuring angles, and I used that one.
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Nov 4, 2018 at 08:45 AM.
Did this a few weeks back. Youll need a digital level I highly doubt your phones reading is correct. I took the tank off when I did mine just to get it out the way take a measurement where the frame rails meet( beneath) seat and rear rotor. Its very important your rear axle is aligned before you start along with proper belt tracking and tension. If the rear rotor is not close to 90 then you can adjust the top engine mount to center it into the frame
F86 method is probably one of the easiest and best methods I have come across, don’t trust any thing except a proper inclinometer, you can get them pretty much anywhere but get a good one. I bought mine at Lee Valley (in Canada) but most woodworking stores should have them or amazon or eBay.
using the proper tools is essential for this procedure....you can really mess things up without them....
What issues are you getting from your bike that causes you to think it is the alignment? It was the last thing I checked using process of elimination
When replacing the front isolator, I tied the bike (frame) up straight, and thought I might as well check if the brake discs were vertical. Using a spirit level I could see they were pretty much out of vertical angle, and when using the app in my iPhone, it read 91 degrees at the front and 89 at the rear. To also get the visual inspection illustrated I took the shot, turned the picture straight in Illustrator and added the angled lines. I am aware that the Iphone app is only roughly measuring, but it confirms both what the spirit level and the visual inspection have shown.
What I believe is an effect of the misalignment, is that the bike feels a bit hard to keep in balance.
Be careful using the front rotor for anything alignment related, although I know it's often recommended. If you don't have a way to confirm that the forks are PERFECTLY straight in relation to the frame, that measurement is pretty much worthless. Due to the rake of the fork, the slightest deviation from a true centerline results in the rotor no longer being vertical. I've stood my bike up straight, verified with a level across the frame, and placed an inclinometer on a front rotor. The slightest lateral tap against the front tire changes the reading on the inclinometer, even though the fork still looks straight by eye.
When replacing the front isolator, I tied the bike (frame) up straight, and thought I might as well check if the brake discs were vertical. Using a spirit level I could see they were pretty much out of vertical angle, and when using the app in my iPhone, it read 91 degrees at the front and 89 at the rear. To also get the visual inspection illustrated I took the shot, turned the picture straight in Illustrator and added the angled lines. I am aware that the Iphone app is only roughly measuring, but it confirms both what the spirit level and the visual inspection have shown.
What I believe is an effect of the misalignment, is that the bike feels a bit hard to keep in balance.
Want to add that when the dealer was to adjust the steering bearing friction, they said they could not do it because the steering bearing has to be replaced. So I guess I have less friction and to much "fall away" and that this contributes to the unbalance when riding, especially in corners.
I guess I have at least three projects to do this winter:
1/ Fix the alignment
2/ Replace and adjust the steering bearing
3/ Let someone balance the front wheel, which feels unsteady (you can actually watch how it is uneven when riding, stretching your head a bit)
Last edited by OakMountainRider; Nov 5, 2018 at 09:49 AM.
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Dyna alignment
