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New to me 21” wheel - alignment questions

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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by OCSpringer
Are there any spacers on the brake rotor of the new wheel. I had to put a spacer on my rotor for my setup, so if someone where to take my wheel and put it on the original year it was meant for it would have your exact problem.
A spacer on the rotor would help fix the drag but not center the wheel between the forks. It almost is like once I center the wheel the rotor wont drag anymore.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Threeheadedshadow
A spacer on the rotor would help fix the drag but not center the wheel between the forks. It almost is like once I center the wheel the rotor wont drag anymore.
Is there any way to move the caliper?
 
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 12:22 PM
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Are you sure you didn't accidently swap the spacers left/right. I am assuming not as you installed the old wheel to check fitment.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by hammer6315
Is there any way to move the caliper?
I could add a thick washer between the fork leg and caliper to stop the brakes from dragging. But that wouldn’t center the wheel.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by OCSpringer
Are you sure you didn't accidently swap the spacers left/right. I am assuming not as you installed the old wheel to check fitment.
Haha. Yes i checked that!
 
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 05:18 PM
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Here are a couple pics showing the bearing placement on both sides of the new 21” wheel.



 
Last edited by Threeheadedshadow; Jan 2, 2026 at 07:14 PM.
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 05:58 PM
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Here is the old 19” wheel. The bearing on the 21” is definitely set different.


 
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 07:13 PM
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Based on your pics I think the post by 08xl1200r is likely correct. The brake side bearing is supposed to be driven into the hub first and set all the way in, then the opposite side is driven in just to the point it touches the spacer. That looks correct on the 19" wheel as the brake side bearing is set further into the hub than the non-brake side. The 21" wheel looks like the bearing on the non-brake side is further into the hub than the brake side, which is opposite.

 
Last edited by OCSpringer; Jan 3, 2026 at 02:51 AM.
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Old Jan 2, 2026 | 07:19 PM
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Agree with OCSpringer.
You need a bearing tool set to remove and install them properly and they are fairly inexpensive on Amazon. I'd install new bearings too, pulling the old ones can damage them.
 
Last edited by 08xl1200r; Jan 2, 2026 at 07:22 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2026 | 09:53 AM
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Are you putting the wider of the two spaces on the rotor side?
 
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