Alignment
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 933
From: Long Island
Alignment
hey guys,I have a question regarding alignment.Putting a straight edge from rear tire to front tire,should they line up or are they offset slightly? The bike pulls slightly left when I let go of the bars,no clutch cable fastener.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
When adjusting the front wheel all adjustments need to be done on the left side.
Sounds like you need to take a little off the left side (a few thousandths at a guess). Do it in small increments so you don't overdo it.
I don't understand what you mean by no clutch cable fastener...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
With the original tyres on my 1990 Glide, i recall the front was actually marginally wider than the rear. There are various ways to check alignment of the wheels, by eye, length of string, length of straight timber, 8 foot flourescent tube, etc. Having checked from one side of the tyres, check from the other.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,604
Likes: 3,375
From: Cental, MI
I agree... gonna be a Bad ride otherwise...
Not like my FXR will be the same as your Ultra!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 2,159
From: Ohio
That alignment thing can get really complex with lasers or simple as a string, depends how precision you want to be.
Like Dr Hess is saying, the alignment is based off the rear wheel. Would keep it simple and measure the rear axle to the swing arm pivot axle if your bike doesn't have the measuring holes in the swing arm.
Complex alignment is mounting lasers on each side of the rear wheel with the bike standing upright. 2 types of lasers, one running a beam on the floor the length of the bike or the other sending beams to a plate upright in front of the bike, both can measure with precision.
Like Dr Hess is saying, the alignment is based off the rear wheel. Would keep it simple and measure the rear axle to the swing arm pivot axle if your bike doesn't have the measuring holes in the swing arm.
Complex alignment is mounting lasers on each side of the rear wheel with the bike standing upright. 2 types of lasers, one running a beam on the floor the length of the bike or the other sending beams to a plate upright in front of the bike, both can measure with precision.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
The factory service manual has a little drawing that shows you how to make an alignment tool to check for rear axle alignment. It's a piece of 1/8" wire with a rubber thing on it. Once you get that bent up you pop off the chrome covers from the swingarm pivot points and put your new tool in the hole. Measure to the axle and move the little rubber thing to the axle center. Now go over to the other side of the bike and check to see where the little rubber thing is and adjust accordingly.
Pretty easy.
carl
Pretty easy.
carl
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 933
From: Long Island
thanks for all the responses,I do have FSM made the rear tool .rear is spot on,gonna do the string thing ,then may check the motor alignment.Just remember the bike not drifting left May have to do with swapping from fairing to windshield.nothing I can't live with.
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
My bike did the same thing and in the process of changing front wheels and adding a brake caliper to the right side I fixed the problem.