anybody got any secrets on squarin up the rear wheel to the swingarm?&nbsp\\; the manuals kinda vague.&nbsp\\;

 

Easiest way is to buy VT part 44-2011 calibrated rear wheel adjusters.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Page 720 2008 catalog.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Bolts have micrometer type markings and sight window.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; I agree the way in the manual is cumbersome and time consuming.

 

Measure from the centerline of the rear fork (swingarm) bolt&nbsp\\;to the centerline of the rear axle bolt.

 

&nbsp\\;
Good advice for a FLT will not work on a 4 speed\\; Left side swing arm bolt is behind the primary.&nbsp\\;
They also make some tools to measure chain angle to insure its inline with the front sprocket.&nbsp\\; I've seen one that clamps to the rear sprocket and has a guide rod that extends parallel to the chain.&nbsp\\; Another was a laser that mounted with a magnet.
The calibrated adjusters is still an easier solution.&nbsp\\; The japs have used this method for decades.

 

on my '78 fxs there are 2 holes drilled in the swingarm just a couple of inches in front of the adjusters. I use a stiff wire with a 90 degree bend in it. I have a wire tie on the long side of the wire that fits tight , but still slides on the wire. compare from side to side until both sides are even. an old wire coat hanger will work.

 

Get two 8' fluorecent light tubes. Stand the bike up straight and hold them against the side of the rear wheel. Adjust the rear wheel until it matches up straight to the front wheel and yer square. If the front tire is narrower than the rear you have to measure the difference side to side.

 

The old school way was to lay down some flour on a FLAT surface, roll your bike through it and look at the tire pattern. Adjust the left or right side accordingly BUT WATCH YOUR CHAIN TENSION!!!!!!!!!!
I ALWAYS adjust my chain with around 200 lbs on the seat, a buddy usually sits my bike while do the final adjusting of the chain...
ShovelheadGreg

 

This works great. And its free!!!!!

 

Ido it the same as Al Cherry. The fluorecent light idea is a good one. But a pair of 2x4's also works very well.

 

To all of you who are looking for a rear wheel alignment tool there is a picture and instructions on how to make one in most 1991- 2000 hd manuals. Using 2x4s or florecent tubes is to check rear wheel to from wheel alignment only. This would be something that is done after the rear wheel has been aligned to the swing arm, softails included. The tool you want to make can be best made out of mild 1/4 inch rod or smaller that can be purchased from your hardware store. This rod needs to be About 9 to 10 inches longer than the distance from your pivot shaft to the end of your swingarm. On one end make a 90 degree bend 3 and 1/2 inches from the end. Next make a 45 degree bend three innches from that bend. Now make another 45 three inches back up from that bend. Now you have what looks like a hook with a long straight rod. On the end put a ty-strap and cut a short point on the strap. 1/4 inch will do. This tool is now ready to use. Listen carefully. Although not brain surgery you need to be precise. Get your belt some what close to its proper tension, just close. (on the loose side) Take your rod and put the bent end of the rod in the center of the pivot shaft. Belt or chain side first. Move the pointer to measure the center of the axle shaft. For those of you with softtail hook the bent end over the passenger peg mount. And as mentioned by someone in th forum some bikes have a hole in the swingarm just down from axle shaft. Now that you have a measurement, take the rod to the other side of the bike and repeat the process the same way. Don't worry about the belt tension until both sides are the same. Now you have it aligned. Now you can set the belt tension. If you turn one side one bolt head flat ,do the same to the other side. When adjusting belt tension the bike must be on the ground standing straight up. Use the manuals measurement @ 10LBs Pressure on a belt and proper slack for a chain. The 2 x 4 and powder tricks are only for frame and front to back wheel tracking. Some bikes are designed with a built in offset of the front wheel. This situation is best left to someone that knows which is which. I know it's alot to take in, but after a couple of times its easy to do.
Good luck to all.
BSCriss