Wheel alignment
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Tourer
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Wheel alignment
Sort of long but here goes.
I ordered a nice 21" front wheel from Shooter64 (Thanks Bart!). Anyway, I installed it with a adjure flush front axle and a BAH Axle Cap, new chrome HD Spacers.
When mounted, The wheel looks "fairly" centered, but measuring shows it is closer to the left side by 3/16" of an inch. So I tried numerous things like my old axle and the new wheel and the old spacers. Anyways, I ended up with the OEM Wheel, spacers, and axle back on there to see what I had. It's right at 3/16" of an inch closer to the left side. Yes, the long spacer is on the Left, short on the Right. I actually commented on this before but did not have time to go in depth and check it all out.
Now, I thought if I space it over 3/16" the wheel would be centered, but if I do then neither OEM rotor and caliper would be lined up and would require shimming. So this is making me think the factory front wheel is slightly offset from the factory.
I started checking the factory setup on the rear wheel and guess what. The rear wheel is also offset about the same amount.
Isthis normal? I have to admit, I pulled many a wheel but never noticed if they were offset. It honestly isn't "that" noticable, but knowing some of the handling issues I'm wondering if it's related.
Anyone notice this or actually measured it?
I ordered a nice 21" front wheel from Shooter64 (Thanks Bart!). Anyway, I installed it with a adjure flush front axle and a BAH Axle Cap, new chrome HD Spacers.
When mounted, The wheel looks "fairly" centered, but measuring shows it is closer to the left side by 3/16" of an inch. So I tried numerous things like my old axle and the new wheel and the old spacers. Anyways, I ended up with the OEM Wheel, spacers, and axle back on there to see what I had. It's right at 3/16" of an inch closer to the left side. Yes, the long spacer is on the Left, short on the Right. I actually commented on this before but did not have time to go in depth and check it all out.
Now, I thought if I space it over 3/16" the wheel would be centered, but if I do then neither OEM rotor and caliper would be lined up and would require shimming. So this is making me think the factory front wheel is slightly offset from the factory.
I started checking the factory setup on the rear wheel and guess what. The rear wheel is also offset about the same amount.
Isthis normal? I have to admit, I pulled many a wheel but never noticed if they were offset. It honestly isn't "that" noticable, but knowing some of the handling issues I'm wondering if it's related.
Anyone notice this or actually measured it?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Davie, FL
RE: Wheel alignment
Rev00 What bike exactly is this? Is it your 2000 E-Glide Standard - 88"?
[ul][*]To start with, you need to center the rotors in the calipers on your front end. These maybe a non-floating caliper. . If your bike is the aforementioned, they this is the case. There is nothing you can do with this.[*]You also never said if this was a duel disk set-up and/or stock caliper. I guess a detailed photo would be nice so I would kinda know what I am talking about. Assumptions are not a good thing. Miss-information is even worse. I do not think it would be correct for me to continue any further without knowing these answers.[*]As far as the rear goes, please give me a detailed photo also. [*]A measurement between the belt & tire is also required if not stock wheels.[*]It would be ideal if you got both of the tires in the same track so the handling is correct. [*]As far as correct measurements goes (what is correct), we make our components fit the necessary requirements. There is only one way to go 200 mph and live to tell about it week in and week out. I do hope you understand, the same principles apply to your bike. There is only one right way.
[/ul]
[ul][*]To start with, you need to center the rotors in the calipers on your front end. These maybe a non-floating caliper. . If your bike is the aforementioned, they this is the case. There is nothing you can do with this.[*]You also never said if this was a duel disk set-up and/or stock caliper. I guess a detailed photo would be nice so I would kinda know what I am talking about. Assumptions are not a good thing. Miss-information is even worse. I do not think it would be correct for me to continue any further without knowing these answers.[*]As far as the rear goes, please give me a detailed photo also. [*]A measurement between the belt & tire is also required if not stock wheels.[*]It would be ideal if you got both of the tires in the same track so the handling is correct. [*]As far as correct measurements goes (what is correct), we make our components fit the necessary requirements. There is only one way to go 200 mph and live to tell about it week in and week out. I do hope you understand, the same principles apply to your bike. There is only one right way.
[/ul]
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Tourer
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RE: Wheel alignment
FastHarley, sorry. Yes, it is the 2000 FLHT running the OEM Rear wheel and tire.
One the front, single "solid" 13" rotor with PM 6 piston caliper, but as I mentioned, it's also offset with the factory 9 spoke cast wheel a dual factory rotors.
When I put all the OEM stuff back on, the left caliper is centered on the rotor. I shaved the right side so I can't check it. But the wheel as mentioned is still 3/16" off of center.
BTW, The 2000 had the wide belt and pulley so a stock Dunlop on the rear 140 barely clears the belt by 1/4"
I have heard the older 2000 models had some alignment issues from the factory.
One the front, single "solid" 13" rotor with PM 6 piston caliper, but as I mentioned, it's also offset with the factory 9 spoke cast wheel a dual factory rotors.
When I put all the OEM stuff back on, the left caliper is centered on the rotor. I shaved the right side so I can't check it. But the wheel as mentioned is still 3/16" off of center.
BTW, The 2000 had the wide belt and pulley so a stock Dunlop on the rear 140 barely clears the belt by 1/4"
I have heard the older 2000 models had some alignment issues from the factory.
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Tourer
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RE: Wheel alignment
The front is pretty much lined out. I moved the"right" lower leg in some and tightened it up.
It appears to be within 0.060" of being totally centered. Caliper is centered using 0.016" shims so thats fine. I think that ought to run.
I'll worry about the rear when I get further along. No sensein doing all the alignment then removing the rear wheel to install the fender.
I just did not want to cut shims and perfectly center it if there is suppose to be an offset.
It appears to be within 0.060" of being totally centered. Caliper is centered using 0.016" shims so thats fine. I think that ought to run.
I'll worry about the rear when I get further along. No sensein doing all the alignment then removing the rear wheel to install the fender.
I just did not want to cut shims and perfectly center it if there is suppose to be an offset.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
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From: Davie, FL
RE: Wheel alignment
It looks like you got the front lined up. Your caliper must be lined up to the rotor (centered & parallel). Start there. Now the rear. Go here on my DIY page for alignment [HERE]. Make sure you start out with both wheels straight. A line on your surface would be good & adjust the bike to it than mark it. You must start out with both axles 90Ů to your line (axis). Your front wheel is centered, that is a given. Next center the rear wheel within the confines of your rear swingarm and belt. Shim the pulley out or in but make sure of tire clearance. Next, shim the rear caliper/rotor. Many Harleys are not in alignment. Most (99.9%) custom bike builders do not follow this, just like OCC, they hammer it on. Just think what it would be like if both wheels were 1 foot out of track even though both are going down the road straight. You get the idea, Perfect is good. Where ever you center the front wheel, the rear wheel should track behind. Unfortunately, you are not starting with making your frame. You can do nothing when you hang your primary on one side for weight balance.
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Tourer
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RE: Wheel alignment
Your page is one of the sources that showed that HD offsets their wheels 8-13mm. I figured there was a reason for it and did not want to screw up by fixing something that wasn't broke. I've been known to do that on occassion.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
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From: Davie, FL
RE: Wheel alignment
The front wheel is the key to starting. Your caliper must line up on the rotor. An offset towards the primary side could be an effort to balance the weight of the primary.
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