line up rear wheel

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Feb 2, 2007 | 12:18 AM

strickrodt70

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 209

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From: Fort Campbell, KY

line up rear wheel

I took my rear wheel off to do some maintenance on my 1983 Sportster. What is the best way to reinstall the rear wheel and make sure it is lined up correctly? My maintenance manual talks about how to line it up with the front wheel, but I'm more concerned thatthe chain is traveling smoothly, and if the wheel isn't lined up correctly, wouldn't the chain run rough? Thanks for any help.

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Feb 2, 2007 | 05:00 PM

bagga

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 3,673

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From:

RE: line up rear wheel

the easiest way to do it is to measure the length of thethreads sticking out from the adjuster nuts. that will get you close enough.

Feb 3, 2007 | 02:26 PM

billnourse

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,934

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From: Bloomfield, NM

RE: line up rear wheel

Measure from the center of the swing arm bolt to the center of the axle bolt on each side. When they are within 1/8" you will be good. You can then tighten the belt tension by adjusting the axle adjustment bolts on each side equally. I do it one flat or two at a time.

Regards,

Bill

Feb 4, 2007 | 10:42 PM

fl_799

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 1,224

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From:

RE: line up rear wheel

You can make a nice and handy alignment gauge out of a coat hanger and mark lines on it for adjustment. I taped amicro sized slide rulerfrom home depot to itthat measures inmilimeters.Use the gauge to measure the center of the swingarm pivot to center of the axle nut and adjust until both sides are even steven. A small 90 degree bend in the wire and it will work on bikes equippedwithalignment holes drilled in the swingarm.