When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Since I had my rear tire changed a month ago I'd been wondering how my alignment was, so I got out the grinder and a piece of steel wire and presto, I had my alignment tool. I set it for the right side of the bike, then went to the left side to see how close it was, and... WTF!... where's the pivot end with the center point? All mine had on the left side was a nut and a bolt end sticking out - as you can see from the pictures. (Of course I'm only 3 weeks out of warranty.)
Am I missing something, or did the Factory install the left pivot bolt reversed?
Last edited by FurryOne; Jul 5, 2015 at 05:39 PM.
Reason: correctness
Yea mine are exactly like that I was wondering how to aline wheel with that set up. Maybe tight socket and use in some manner to find center but I seen that a feww months back.
Yea mine are exactly like that I was wondering how to aline wheel with that set up. Maybe tight socket and use in some manner to find center but I seen that a feww months back.
I used a center punch to mark mine, but why should I have needed to? I get the feeling that this was the problem at Harley...
Yea mine are exactly like that I was wondering how to align wheel with that set up. Maybe tight socket and use in some manner to find center but I seen that a few months back.
Well, the mystery is solved - Here's the breakdown of the whole mechanism. The one thing you'll notice is that Harley has conveniently left out the center pivot marking on the left side of the swingarm - yes, that's right - it's NOT there - even though their pricey service manual says it is, the parts breakdown says it isn't. Why am I not surprised?
Anyways, I checked mine as best I could and found the right side off by over 1/8", so I cranked it back into spec and torqued the axle to 100ft/lbs.
So, what sport was playing on TV when the Breakout manual was written?
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.