WHAT IS THIS THING?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: WHAT IS THIS THING?
ORIGINAL: MNPGRider
Anyone who thinks thatthe links don't have anything to do with alignment are probably the same ones complaining about wobble....
MCNews reported on this years ago, when they were trying to figure out why Road Kings were coming from the factory with the rear wheel 3/4" out of plane with the front. The links were improperly adjusted at the factory.
And you don't need the shop manual to know this. Read your owner's manual! This is what mine says, under "Vehicle alignment".
"Vehicle alignment is important. Major alignment of the front and rear wheel is partially controlled by the stabilizer link at the top of the engine."
Yes indeed, and also the front one- to align the rear wheel to the front one in both planes- by pulling either the front or top of the engine from side to side by adjusting the length of the links. What the linksdon't do is stop the vertical movement of the engine; the movement we see as the engine idles. That's a job for the rubber mounts andthey arewhat isolate vibration (well, mostly) from the rest of the motorcycle. It's side to side movement that can't be tolerated when it comes to handling.
Anyone who thinks thatthe links don't have anything to do with alignment are probably the same ones complaining about wobble....
MCNews reported on this years ago, when they were trying to figure out why Road Kings were coming from the factory with the rear wheel 3/4" out of plane with the front. The links were improperly adjusted at the factory.
And you don't need the shop manual to know this. Read your owner's manual! This is what mine says, under "Vehicle alignment".
"Vehicle alignment is important. Major alignment of the front and rear wheel is partially controlled by the stabilizer link at the top of the engine."
Yes indeed, and also the front one- to align the rear wheel to the front one in both planes- by pulling either the front or top of the engine from side to side by adjusting the length of the links. What the linksdon't do is stop the vertical movement of the engine; the movement we see as the engine idles. That's a job for the rubber mounts andthey arewhat isolate vibration (well, mostly) from the rest of the motorcycle. It's side to side movement that can't be tolerated when it comes to handling.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Northeast Ohio
RE: WHAT IS THIS THING?
OK, I'll bite
The links at the top and bottome serve two purposes. One is to isolate the engine movement to a lateral direction only and eliminate any side to side movement (would be disasterous in a curve). Second, is to align the drivetrain/rear wheel assembly. The engine, trans and swingarm is basically a single unit that can be "steered" by adjusting the links.
And yes, if you have to remove one for service or other reasons, dont play with it, you will be out of alignment.
The links at the top and bottome serve two purposes. One is to isolate the engine movement to a lateral direction only and eliminate any side to side movement (would be disasterous in a curve). Second, is to align the drivetrain/rear wheel assembly. The engine, trans and swingarm is basically a single unit that can be "steered" by adjusting the links.
And yes, if you have to remove one for service or other reasons, dont play with it, you will be out of alignment.
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