Gotta question on alignment. I understand the adjusting the top link mount and what it does, moving the engine physically to the left and the right. (in other words, adjustment of the rod makes the valve covers tilt towards the left or the right--vertical). What I don't get is adjustment of the unit horizontally, as in the rear wheel right to left. .As it stands this moment, the two bolts on my front mount can be removed and installed (frame to mount) perfectly with the engine supported. I don't have to force the bolts in at all, or move the engine over to make them fit. But when aligning the rear wheel after removal, If I (using the alignment holes per the service manual) line them up, the bike will pull to the left pretty hard when letting go of the bars. I have to move one side forward in order to get the bike to go straight. Since as has been described on another thread, the unit as a whole can be imagined like a tuning fork, the double end being the swingarm, and the single top portion being the front mount, my question is, after I put my inclinator and top level on it, and get it at 90* and 0*, how do I move that front mount left or right to straighten the back wheel, so the rear axle is centered with the alignment holes? I am installing a new front mount, the old one was worn. I first used a kinetic structures mount and didn't care for the vibes, (I am wanting to sell it if interested. I am sure it works, but not for my tastes) so going back with stock. The bike is a 2015 Switchback with 7000 miles non it, never wrecked or dumped. Wife states it has a wobble above 80MPH on the freeway, (that's about as fast as she rides). For me, the vibes are just way too harsh, even for a dyna. The original stock mount was visually worn, pretty obviously, so hence the replacement. The rear mount looks good and straights. Any suggestions will help, maybe I'm just not seeing the obviously simple or something.

 

Signed up to see the answer to your questions...

How is the drive belt tracking? If you push it backwards, will it track to the other side?

Even when everything is correct, a bike can pull do to road crown, wind and especially worn or damaged tires.

 

belt seems to track ok, not any different than other bikes, it I’ll check again to see if it slides over. The bike has 7000 miles in it. So shouldn’t be any worn items other than the normal trashy front mount.

 

There's an Alignment Procedure in the Harley Service Manual.

 

Yes, I know….

 

Change that rear rubber motor mount and do the Factory Alignment Procedure. After ya shut it off, the engine has settled into it's horizontal position. Then torque down the motor mount bolts. I'm running with Drag Specialties mounts. They are much harder the the OEM crap so ya will feel a slight increase in the vibrations. HOWEVER, the increase in ride stability is well worth it. How well do they wear? How's 60,000+ miles on em sound.

 

Would this be if any use?

 

The motor mounts are designed to support the engine and minimize vibration. They should not be used to align the engine and should not be forced out of their natural unrestrained position. Any product or service that recommends applying forces on the mounts to align something is incorrect. The most likely problem that you're having with motor mounts is because something is putting an unnatural force on them. The top link tilts the rear wheel in order to set it parallel to the front wheel. If you're having tracking issues, look somewhere else other than the motor mounts.

 

The top link moves the whole assy left and right, and that also moves the front mount left or right in reference to the frame. Since the whole assy, from front mount where it attaches to frame, to engine, to tranny, to swingarm, and finally rear wheel, it is one assy, and the front mount has to move a bit to compensate for the adjustment. I'm am not having tracking problems unless I set the rear wheel evenly per the manual. A horizontal alignment issue. This is why I first bought the Kinetics mount, and was told about its straightening ability, keeping the swingarm from laterally moving (again, movement of the front mount),and therefore lessening the (dyna wobble). I was counting on it to tone down the vibes. In my particular case, it did not work on teh vibe issue in as much as I am sure it would have worked for the performance part. A trade off. Not to say its a bad mount, just not for my needs. Now whether you are adjusting the top mount, which will move the engine vertically, or moving the rear wheel centerline (as per the manual), which moves it horizontally, there is going to be some effect on the front mount.. This I believe, is why we have Sputhe links and Kinetic and other brands or performance mounts. They move or lock in alignments. All I am trying to do is make sure when I put the new stock mounts in, that everything aligns as it should. Vertically, is easy. Its the horizontal part I have issue with. I have good swingarm bushings, and no play. Bike has low mileage and never dropped ort wrecked. It is not ridden hard. This is the reason I am confused about the horizontal alignment, as there is no damage that would normally cause this.

 

The front and rear motor mounts act as pivot points when adjusting the top link. The mounts rotate slightly but they do not move left or right. The top link does not move the drivetrain/swingarm left or right. It only rotates the drivetrain/swingarm assembly about the pivot axis formed by the front and rear mounts. Even this little bit of rotation can potentially cause problems with the motor mounts. The Harley service manual states that you should loosen the mount bolts and relieve these stresses after you have adjusted the top link. Motor mounts and stabilizer links do not lock in alignment. They were not designed to do so, should not be used for such purposes, and certainly Harley has never recommended it.

It seems that you want to align the rear wheel horizontally, but are under the assumption that somehow motor mounts are involved (or should be involved) in this process. They are not. I am not an expert in rear wheel alignment but I'm sure someone on this forum can help with this.