Rear wheel alignment
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 2,990
From: Charleston, SC
A couple of lone straight edges work fine as long as both wheels are expected to be exactly center line; however, there are a bunch that are not. HDs included. In a lot of cases the rear wheel is offset a few millimeters to accommodate engine offset and belt alignment.
Mike's coat hanger advice is straight from the manual. Tape measure works too obviously if you're good with tiny numbers.
Mike's coat hanger advice is straight from the manual. Tape measure works too obviously if you're good with tiny numbers.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Can somebody explain the rear wheel alignment on these new cammed axels?
The old bikes were simple as each side was adjusted independently. But on my '13 bike, what difference does it make if the wheels cockeyed when you measure, if there's no way to adjust it? Or is there a way that I just am not seeing? The only adjustment I see is foreward and backwards. Am I missing something?
Edit: Holy crap!!!! I found the procedure of motor alignment. WTF, that's how you align the tire! Damn.... I like the old way better! Sorry, back to the thread....
The old bikes were simple as each side was adjusted independently. But on my '13 bike, what difference does it make if the wheels cockeyed when you measure, if there's no way to adjust it? Or is there a way that I just am not seeing? The only adjustment I see is foreward and backwards. Am I missing something?
Edit: Holy crap!!!! I found the procedure of motor alignment. WTF, that's how you align the tire! Damn.... I like the old way better! Sorry, back to the thread....
Last edited by bikerlaw; Nov 7, 2016 at 02:11 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 304
From: mid Michigan
I'm with gbrown check tire to tire. That's what really matters. I used a old wire from vacume rapped around tire then to front pulled tight with Jack stands. Bike in air with 2x4 under front to keep it straight. Then check gap & ajust till gone on each side. My bike tracks straight down the road now after doing it this way. By the way the my axle to pivet shaft are not eguel length to get this. Might not be the way it's saposed to be done but this works & it don't pull anymore.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 2,810
From: Oklahoma
I'm with gbrown check tire to tire. That's what really matters. I used a old wire from vacume rapped around tire then to front pulled tight with Jack stands. Bike in air with 2x4 under front to keep it straight. Then check gap & ajust till gone on each side. My bike tracks straight down the road now after doing it this way. By the way the my axle to pivet shaft are not eguel length to get this. Might not be the way it's saposed to be done but this works & it don't pull anymore.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
What follows is best done with the rear wheel out of the bike. Look down the side of the tyre at the rear pulley. When the bead of the tyre, top and bottom, are in line, it is possible to measure how much of the belt track is visible. I've had tyres where I can only see the flange of the belt, almost nothing of the belt track and measured this as 3/16". So I aligned the rear wheel using a 3/16" allen key as a 'feeler' gauge, between tyre and belt.
That was on an older bike, before the snail cams. Fortunately, although I now have those cams and an even wider rear wheel, with similar belt/tyre clearance, I haven't had to mess with the cams, they work just fine.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 304
From: mid Michigan
It appears to track the same as before, pulls to the left side. Have about 10,000 miles like this. The right way would be to get axle to pevit bolt eguel and ajust the links in the motor to move all of it to get tires straightened. The easy works though as I felt my wheels where in alignment vertically & this is the way it came from the factory so good enough. This is with new motor mount, isolaters & swing bushings(solid). Almost 95,000 on original belt.
Last edited by xcbullet; Nov 8, 2016 at 10:15 AM.
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