Trying to get this front wheel straight, its been slightly off, maybe a couple degrees and its not going without a fight! Ive loosened all bolts, removed the wheel, now are there any tricks to getting it true? Ive looked through the FSM and nothing on the front. 98 RK

 

Also is it a bad idea to substitute lock washers instead of these metal strips?

 

You have to use shims to get the front wheel where you want it.
Not sure what you are talking about it being off a few degrees as you can only move it right or left depending on shims or spacers used.

 

I'd keep the metal strips as they would distribute the load better than lock washers IMO.

 

The bars are square with the triple trees but tge front wheel is angled to the right very slightly. I tried loosening the clamps and axle and banging the wheel back to the left dirt bike style and no luck. I didnt loosen the fender or the top so ill try that and see if it was the fender holding it crooked

 

Gotta get it just right for this trip coming up!

 

Are you sure one of your forks aren't a little bit crooked???

 

Look up, you align the front with the bars. Tires are arches. If it's stock, and spacers are correct, the slight side to side just may be helping the offset in the back side to side. Never seen a Harley with the rear exactly correct centered to frame.
There is no camber with two wheels running the same (Harley ballpark) line.

 

I guess i should have said the front wheel is turned slightly to the right when the bars are pointed straight forward. Been this way since i got it. Maybe previous oner hit a curb or something.

 

Look at video on youtube from Delby's Garage I believe on how to straighten front end out he did it on a Hyabusa I think but its all the same. I had an issue with my HD softail classic and did what he said and it worked perfectly.