Front end wobble question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,849
Likes: 1,389
From: Florida
No...I bought the $10 tool from Drag Specialties.
This is the same tool from J&P
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/910...xoCtMgQAvD_BwE
This is the same tool from J&P
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/910...xoCtMgQAvD_BwE
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
that's what I use too. I like that tool but it works even better when you have a second set of hands to help you torque the axel so it doesn't un-true itself after you align it. I feel your pain, my bike always feels like it is angled to the left when I am riding on it and I for the life of me can't figure it out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,849
Likes: 1,389
From: Florida
Yes for a moment then it wants to pull right. This is the part I don't know why. The real wheel is all setup with oem spacers appropriate for the wheel and bike. The front wheel uses a speedo drive for a 16 inch (which I have) which sets the spacing and the wheel is perfectly straight. The rear is perfectly aligned but no matter what it pulls right
I even checked the adjustment of the rear shocks. They are even and adjusted with the same preload. The front end is straight and was all new parts except for the triple trees, which I bought used, but not off a wrecked bike.
The only things I question are the tire on the back, which I am going to switch out after bike week as it's old and harder than I like, and the shocks. The shocks are oem ones but I had one and had to get another one to make a set when I built the bike. I have been looking for a takeoff set of used ones but I haven't had any luck at the local swapmeets or ebay to rule them out yet
The frame was new when I got it. The swingarm was used and looks straight to me when the axel is put through. I do have a spare swingarm sitting in the attic should the need arise.
I am about to give up on it and take it to my buddies shop and drop it off. I'll tell him to find it. I just hate paying for something I can do myself. But I also hate not being able to figure a problem out on my own. Sometimes you've got to get a second set of eyes on it
And mind you, I am checking all these things and only have partial blurred vision in my right eye due to an old accident. It's like seeing double all of the time, but I don't even drink! Haha
I even checked the adjustment of the rear shocks. They are even and adjusted with the same preload. The front end is straight and was all new parts except for the triple trees, which I bought used, but not off a wrecked bike.
The only things I question are the tire on the back, which I am going to switch out after bike week as it's old and harder than I like, and the shocks. The shocks are oem ones but I had one and had to get another one to make a set when I built the bike. I have been looking for a takeoff set of used ones but I haven't had any luck at the local swapmeets or ebay to rule them out yet
The frame was new when I got it. The swingarm was used and looks straight to me when the axel is put through. I do have a spare swingarm sitting in the attic should the need arise.
I am about to give up on it and take it to my buddies shop and drop it off. I'll tell him to find it. I just hate paying for something I can do myself. But I also hate not being able to figure a problem out on my own. Sometimes you've got to get a second set of eyes on it
And mind you, I am checking all these things and only have partial blurred vision in my right eye due to an old accident. It's like seeing double all of the time, but I don't even drink! Haha
Last edited by misfitJason; Feb 13, 2018 at 07:16 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Yes for a moment then it wants to pull right. This is the part I don't know why. The real wheel is all setup with oem spacers appropriate for the wheel and bike. The front wheel uses a speedo drive for a 16 inch (which I have) which sets the spacing and the wheel is perfectly straight. The rear is perfectly aligned but no matter what it pulls right
I even checked the adjustment of the rear shocks. They are even and adjusted with the same preload. The front end is straight and was all new parts except for the triple trees, which I bought used, but not off a wrecked bike.
The only things I question are the tire on the back, which I am going to switch out after bike week as it's old and harder than I like, and the shocks. The shocks are oem ones but I had one and had to get another one to make a set when I built the bike. I have been looking for a takeoff set of used ones but I haven't had any luck at the local swapmeets or ebay to rule them out yet
The frame was new when I got it. The swingarm was used and looks straight to me when the axel is put through. I do have a spare swingarm sitting in the attic should the need arise.
I am about to give up on it and take it to my buddies shop and drop it off. I'll tell him to find it. I just hate paying for something I can do myself. But I also hate not being able to figure a problem out on my own. Sometimes you've got to get a second set of eyes on it
And mind you, I am checking all these things and only have partial blurred vision in my right eye due to an old accident. It's like seeing double all of the time, but I don't even drink! Haha
I even checked the adjustment of the rear shocks. They are even and adjusted with the same preload. The front end is straight and was all new parts except for the triple trees, which I bought used, but not off a wrecked bike.
The only things I question are the tire on the back, which I am going to switch out after bike week as it's old and harder than I like, and the shocks. The shocks are oem ones but I had one and had to get another one to make a set when I built the bike. I have been looking for a takeoff set of used ones but I haven't had any luck at the local swapmeets or ebay to rule them out yet
The frame was new when I got it. The swingarm was used and looks straight to me when the axel is put through. I do have a spare swingarm sitting in the attic should the need arise.
I am about to give up on it and take it to my buddies shop and drop it off. I'll tell him to find it. I just hate paying for something I can do myself. But I also hate not being able to figure a problem out on my own. Sometimes you've got to get a second set of eyes on it
And mind you, I am checking all these things and only have partial blurred vision in my right eye due to an old accident. It's like seeing double all of the time, but I don't even drink! Haha
I took it to the Harley shop and was told "They all do that".
I finally got it straightened out when I put a touring mag wheel on the front for my dual disk brakes.
I had to play with the spacers on the left side a bit to get it to work.
I think you will find that if you space out your speedo drive just a bit then your bike will run straight.
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
A buddy of mine had a bag full of shims that would fit a 3/4" axle.
I have no idea where he got them.
I just called him and he doesn't remember where he got them either but he suggested going to a nut/bolt warehouse and seeing what they have.
I have no idea where he got them.
I just called him and he doesn't remember where he got them either but he suggested going to a nut/bolt warehouse and seeing what they have.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,857
Likes: 17,908
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Originally Posted by Spanners39
I'm saying nothing on the grounds it might define or incriminate me...
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Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
It was a couple of years ago when I did mine and I just tried different thicknesses until I found the combination that worked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,093
Likes: 7,622
From: Poolville
Keep in mind that all roads are crowned for water to flow off the surface. Only car alignments are manipulated to stay straight on a crowned road. We cannot adjust for caster or camber....