Front wheel alignment question
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
And on these bikes (since 2009) there is no alignment adjustments to be made. You can check/replace engine mounts etc but that's about it.
About all you can do is loosen the 4 batwing mounting bolts and move the fairing to and fro to see if that makes a difference. Handlebar clamp the same way.
38K is way, way, way, too soon to be replacing sprockets and belt...
About all you can do is loosen the 4 batwing mounting bolts and move the fairing to and fro to see if that makes a difference. Handlebar clamp the same way.
38K is way, way, way, too soon to be replacing sprockets and belt...
If that is true, I would be more then suspicious and would check it anyway?
How is the belt adjusted without slots?
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I agree with foxtrapper, with his two suggested possibilities.
Your bike has the older style forks which are not properly supported by the top tree, so it is too easy for the two legs to be slightly out of alignment, such as when hitting a big pothole hard. A way of correcting that is to slacken off the wheel axle clamps and nut, also the bottom tree clamping screws, then pump the forks several times when holding the front brake on. Tighten everything back as per the FSM. That should help with correcting any misalignment of the forks in the trees.
Take a close look at the handlebar clamps, especially if non-stock bars have been installed. The top clamp is a single piece, but the lower clamps are separate. The gaps front and rear of each lower clamp should be the same, otherwise the bars may be pulled a little out of alignment.
Your bike has the older style forks which are not properly supported by the top tree, so it is too easy for the two legs to be slightly out of alignment, such as when hitting a big pothole hard. A way of correcting that is to slacken off the wheel axle clamps and nut, also the bottom tree clamping screws, then pump the forks several times when holding the front brake on. Tighten everything back as per the FSM. That should help with correcting any misalignment of the forks in the trees.
Take a close look at the handlebar clamps, especially if non-stock bars have been installed. The top clamp is a single piece, but the lower clamps are separate. The gaps front and rear of each lower clamp should be the same, otherwise the bars may be pulled a little out of alignment.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
The swingarm still has slots for adjusting belt tension and dual axle cams to keep it all aligned (to the rear fork/swingarm) while doing so. No tire to frame adjustability there.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The frame to engine to swing arm adjustments have been removed since the new frame was introduced.
The swingarm still has slots for adjusting belt tension and dual axle cams to keep it all aligned (to the rear fork/swingarm) while doing so. No tire to frame adjustability there.
The swingarm still has slots for adjusting belt tension and dual axle cams to keep it all aligned (to the rear fork/swingarm) while doing so. No tire to frame adjustability there.
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
I agree with foxtrapper, with his two suggested possibilities.
Your bike has the older style forks which are not properly supported by the top tree, so it is too easy for the two legs to be slightly out of alignment, such as when hitting a big pothole hard. A way of correcting that is to slacken off the wheel axle clamps and nut, also the bottom tree clamping screws, then pump the forks several times when holding the front brake on. Tighten everything back as per the FSM. That should help with correcting any misalignment of the forks in the trees.
Take a close look at the handlebar clamps, especially if non-stock bars have been installed. The top clamp is a single piece, but the lower clamps are separate. The gaps front and rear of each lower clamp should be the same, otherwise the bars may be pulled a little out of alignment.
Your bike has the older style forks which are not properly supported by the top tree, so it is too easy for the two legs to be slightly out of alignment, such as when hitting a big pothole hard. A way of correcting that is to slacken off the wheel axle clamps and nut, also the bottom tree clamping screws, then pump the forks several times when holding the front brake on. Tighten everything back as per the FSM. That should help with correcting any misalignment of the forks in the trees.
Take a close look at the handlebar clamps, especially if non-stock bars have been installed. The top clamp is a single piece, but the lower clamps are separate. The gaps front and rear of each lower clamp should be the same, otherwise the bars may be pulled a little out of alignment.
Drag Specialties axle
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 482
From: MA
I'd be willing to bet nothing is bent or tweaked, its just in your risers/bushings. When you tighten them they often twist a little that way.
Loosen handlebars and bushings, retighten while someone else is holding everything straight. Ive seen it a bunch of times.
Loosen handlebars and bushings, retighten while someone else is holding everything straight. Ive seen it a bunch of times.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
...I noticed a aftermarket axle assembly on front axle. It eliminates the big axle nut and just looks like a smooth chrome cover there. I'd never noticed that piece of bling on other bikes before, but since then I've noticed it on other bikes, apparently it's a Drag Specialties "upgrade". My indie was familiar with them and mentioned he didn't understand why people felt the need to dress that part of the bike up. Now I have to wonder if that might play into this.
Drag Specialties axle
Drag Specialties axle
If you really do have that Drag Specialties axle, I don't think that alone would cause a tweaking. Removing and installing the front wheel axle doesn't cause any forces that would tweak the forks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
On the 2002 touring bikes the rear axle adjusters were eliminated in favor of the axle cams. Been that way ever since. It's still possible to misalign the rear wheel if both cams are not touching the swingarm bosses.