This is my first Harley, and first post here. Forgive me if my parts description is off. I took my bike into the shop last year for the seal that goes between the engine and trans (oil and fuel mixed together and blew it out) and some carb work. When I rode it home it felt funny, like something was rubbing. Sure enough, it is rubbing on the rubber belt guard and very close to the frame. Tonight I adjusted the alignment by hooking tie wire into the hole on the swing arm and putting a mark on the tie wire to the center of the axle nut and adjusting the left side until the marks were even on both sides. This seems to make the rubbing worse. If I adjust it where the left axle bolt is further back, it brings the tire in away from the frame. I see that the rubber piece of the belt guard is bowed in. You can see a wear mark on the tire, just from a 10 mile ride. Is it possible a spacer or something was left off of the bike, or is the tire supposed to be this close to the belt and frame on the right side? Should I remove the rubber piece and leave the alignment as the book states, or make the alignment off to keep it off of the frame?

 

another shot

 

Something is definitely amiss... what size tire?

 

Just re read your post.
How much deflection in your belt?
You may not have it tight enough. as well as cocked.
I know my bikes different, but I don't have that guard there. I have a splash guurd in the front between the tire and lets say starter.
Riveted to the front of the fender.

 

I use the swingarm bolts myself but he's measuring correctly... there are alignment holes on some swingarms for exactly that purpose.

 

I would suggest letting us know the model of your bike and tire size. Was there any mods done by the previous owner (PO)? I make my alignment tool from threaded rod, then welded a large flat washer to a nut. That's my adjustable part of the alignment tool. The other end is just bent with a point ground on the end.


Anyway, welcome and let us know so we can help?

 

My bet is the tire's oversize and/or the spacers are incorrect.

 

130/90 -16 is the tire size. I do have a manual and did just as you said, but I only adjusted the left side to match the right. The pictures are all with the mark matching and aligned as the manual states. I figured that they messed with the right side and adjusted it for the tension of the belt, and maybe didn't check alignment? These pics show the difference in space between the left and right side

 

Tire size is good, they possibly... no, probably mixed up the spacers, measure their thickness and you should be able to tell right away if swapping them will correct the issue

 

pushing up on the belt to show tension. Probably not the right way to demostrate




where the belt sits without tension




I am not sure where the spacers are? They did replace the ignition rotor, changed primary oil, engine oil, and I believe transmission seal. I wonder if they had the wheel off of the bike? It definitely wasn't rubbing before I took it in. There is about 5/8" between the swing arm and pulley the belt rides on