Front wheel alignment question
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
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From: Ashby, Ma
Front wheel alignment question
I have a 2011 Ultra Classic with 38K miles. It's a new to me bike this year. It's had a minor electrical issue, but otherwise has run well almost most of the summer and fall. I had a new rear tire put on a few weeks ago, and the mechanic discovered that the rear sprocket teeth we severely worn and the final drive belt needed to be replaced. So I bit the bullet on that one. We never did find out what the cause was.
But I recently noticed even before the work done to replace tire/sprockets/drive belt, that the front end of the bike doesn't seem to be aligned and square when I'm riding down the road, with the tank and I can see a difference toward the right side where it's a longer reach to the bars for my left arm than my right. It's just a few degrees but it is definitely slightly off square. The odd thing is the bike rides true down the road and doesn't seem to pull to either left of right, at least that I can feel.
I should mention I also had new 12 inch wild one bars installed early in the year right after I bought the bike. That work was done by a reputable indie and the tire/pulley/belt work was done by a decent HD dealer. Other work done at the same time was the brake light switch recall and the ABS free service.
Has anyone had any experience with this and any suggestions? I've watched some alignment vids on utube and such, but I'm not sure that's my issue given the true line the bike seems to take down the road, and I don't see any cupping wear on the tires.
But I recently noticed even before the work done to replace tire/sprockets/drive belt, that the front end of the bike doesn't seem to be aligned and square when I'm riding down the road, with the tank and I can see a difference toward the right side where it's a longer reach to the bars for my left arm than my right. It's just a few degrees but it is definitely slightly off square. The odd thing is the bike rides true down the road and doesn't seem to pull to either left of right, at least that I can feel.
I should mention I also had new 12 inch wild one bars installed early in the year right after I bought the bike. That work was done by a reputable indie and the tire/pulley/belt work was done by a decent HD dealer. Other work done at the same time was the brake light switch recall and the ABS free service.
Has anyone had any experience with this and any suggestions? I've watched some alignment vids on utube and such, but I'm not sure that's my issue given the true line the bike seems to take down the road, and I don't see any cupping wear on the tires.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 353
From: Tyler Tx
Most likely it’s a tank/batwing issue. I have the exact same “problem” where I am positive running down the interstate something is crooked on my ultra but the bike rides perfectly straight and true with no strange tire wear/shaking etc.
Or could be an optical illusion from the angle you/I am sitting at. I dunno but we have identical symptoms.
Or could be an optical illusion from the angle you/I am sitting at. I dunno but we have identical symptoms.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
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...
Last edited by lp; Oct 25, 2018 at 07:32 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,540
Likes: 5,865
From: Syracuse NY
Is just my negativity this morning, (because of the 40-degree temps & rain), or is it possible this bike has been down before the OP bought it?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Ashby, Ma
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...
I know the belt issue was a surprise and bothersome. The bike was so clean in every other way I just missed it prior to the purchase.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,076
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From: Plover, WI
You say it seems to be a longer reach to the left grip versus the right grip. Were the riser bushings replaced during the bar swap? If it's only a couple of degrees as stated, some minor adjustments to the bushings may help. Loosen the lower riser bolts, pull & hold the left grip, and tighten the bolts. This won't even out the space between the tank and the dash panel, but it may get your bars pointed in the right direction. If the bushings weren't replaced, you may want to consider new bushings as well.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
If one arm is extended further than the other while riding straight, something is off. Two main possibilities. 1, the handlebars are tweaked. 2, the forks are tweaked.
Handlebars get bent pretty easily, and sometimes aren't straight when brand new. With a square, you can compare sides and see.
Forks get tweaked less easily, but it does depend greatly on the bike. Harleys seem to not be so subject to this. You can fairly readily determine this by looking sideways across the fork tubes, as well by looking down the forks from the top. But on a touring Harley you've got some hardware to remove in order to look down the fork tubes.
Neither will cause any problem with riding straight on down the road.
Handlebars get bent pretty easily, and sometimes aren't straight when brand new. With a square, you can compare sides and see.
Forks get tweaked less easily, but it does depend greatly on the bike. Harleys seem to not be so subject to this. You can fairly readily determine this by looking sideways across the fork tubes, as well by looking down the forks from the top. But on a touring Harley you've got some hardware to remove in order to look down the fork tubes.
Neither will cause any problem with riding straight on down the road.