Rear axle alignment issue after swingarm install
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1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Illinois
Rear axle alignment issue after swingarm install
I installed a chrome swing arm onto my 2000 dyna convertible, and now my rear wheel is way out of line and crooked with my rear fender by a lot. I tried to get it aligned with the axel adjusters but thats not gonna happen with how far it is out. So Ive been trying to do some research and now Im wondering if Im supposed to do a whole drivetrain alignment and what the best way to go about that would be. I out all new bearings and washers and bushings into the chrome swingarm. And the new one when I held it up onto the bike, the swingarm pivot shaft seemed to go in fine. So Im not sure if when I removed the old swingarm the transmission shifted with the motor or what. But any help would be appreciated so I can get it back on the road. Thanks!
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From: New Hampsha
Measure from the center of the swing arm pivots to the center of the axle ends and make both sides the same. That should get you in the ball park.
Last edited by John CC; Aug 27, 2023 at 08:29 AM.
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1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Illinois
the problem Im having now is the rear wheel looks offset to the pulley side
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From: Honah Lee
I installed a chrome swing arm onto my 2000 dyna convertible, and now my rear wheel is way out of line and crooked with my rear fender by a lot. I tried to get it aligned with the axel adjusters but that’s not gonna happen with how far it is out. So I’ve been trying to do some research and now I’m wondering if I’m supposed to do a whole drivetrain alignment and what the best way to go about that would be. I out all new bearings and washers and bushings into the chrome swingarm. And the new one when I held it up onto the bike, the swingarm pivot shaft seemed to go in fine. So I’m not sure if when I removed the old swingarm the transmission shifted with the motor or what. But any help would be appreciated so I can get it back on the road. Thanks!
Not sure if you are saying the whole wheel/tire is closer to the fender on one side front to back or angled?. If it's angled, sounds like the swing arm has a manufacturer's problem.
Your engine/transmission hangs in its mounts on the same parallel center line of the frame. You don't shift it there. Now the rear swing arm alignments at the axle align the belt to the front drive cog pulley.
The proper spacers center wheel. As bikes got newer, tires and fenders grew wider. However on these, the actual wheel hub space where the bears press is is of course wider to position drive pulley. Spacer could be slightly different. Usually there not the same on each side either.
Sure I will be beat up posting that. But basically, good mounts when bolts align are as good as it gets. The rear at the axle has tolerance with belt tracking working within that tolerance. There the belt tracking takes precedence. The front handlebars then does the final alignment of what direction you go. Quite often, especially on old Softails, the front to rear center line of the tires is actually off a tad. Not much. Both tires have a radius, so it does not hurt.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 27, 2023 at 12:56 PM.
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1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Illinois
Ended up my wheel was cocked because the front and rear motor mounts needed to be loosened and when I did that it allowed them to kind of be worked into place and its much better now after tightening them back down. The wheel is straight and aligned. Thanks for the help!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
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From: Arkansastan
Just for good measure might want to invest in an inclinometer and degree level to make sure. That much stress on mounts causing that swingsrm to be that much off just doesnt sound good.
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