2012 Deluxe, I am going to check my rear axle alignment and wonder if anyone bought and uses the HD rubber axle plugs? Should i buy and use them ?
Any one have any tips on the procedure ?
Thanx.

 

Dont know anything about the rubber plugs.

With the bike on a jack and in N, sit behind it and spin the wheel forward and backwards while watching the belt. If the belt tracks in the center of the pulley and doesn't wander then you're good. If not, tighten or loosen the adjusters until it does. You'll need to loosen the axle nut enough to be snug and not let the wheel wander while spinning, but at the same time allowing the adjusters to actually move the axle.

 

The rubber plugs allow you find the Exact Center of the axle and make accurate measurements on both sides of the wheel. Very helpful and inexpensive.

 

Thanx, thats what I wanted to know.If you cant measure within at least a 1/16" your wasting your time. My last front tire wore on one side only and I dont want that to happen again.

 

I just called the dealer and they of course dont have them or know how to get them. I was told to find a Mac or Snapon truck.
Where did you find yours ?

 

The proper term is "Axle Alignment Plug Set", HD Part Number 48856.

It's also pretty easy to make a set yourself.

 

Yea, I'm aware of that.They wont sell them to the common man. Jims Mach has them for $143, screw that.
In order to have any success aligning your axle ,you have to be able to make precise and repeatable measurements. I went to Lowes and bought a:Bostitch Large Circle Compass. It's way too short so I put it on a 1/2" dowel rod. It works perfect now. I also found at Lowes the correct sizes of rubber plugs to fit the axle. I marked the center of the plugs and the swingarm bolt. I was a bit over a 1/16" off. I adjusted and time will tell if it makes a difference.
You can not properly align your axle by measuring threads on the adjuster or rollin the wheel and watching the belt.

 

Why not? Do you use the method in the manual? How are you precisely locating the center of the swing arm pivot bolt? You could do all this fancy "measuring" and "figuring" and your belt might be rubbing the edge of the pulley at the end of it all. What then?

Then you adjust it so the belt runs true and straight.

These aren't spaceships or Swiss watches, they're fast lawnmowers. If it tracks straight with your hands off the bars and the belt ain't rubbin then you're good to go. 1/32" isn't going to sink the ship. Plus, tires are cheaper than belts.

 

I just use a tape measure and mark the center of the bolts and set it that way, then look to make sure the belt runs true and you are good to go. jreichart is right this machine is not all that high tech to start with.

 

Make your own Axle Alignment Plugs by using over size bolts and having them turned down to the proper diameter by your local machine shop. Find the center of the bolt head and drill a small dimple into it. Also drill small dimples into the heads of the swing arm bolts. Now you have precise measuring points.

Easy and inexpensive.