front tire alignment
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: st marys oh
front tire alignment
Is there a way to check the front tire alignment I ordered a service manual just not in yet. front end seems to wander a little at low speeds. bike has new tires done by dealer that doesnt mean it is right.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
The only thing I know of..is to align the motor.
You need a special tool to do that.
A $500 dollar tool...MSRP for the tool is almost $700 ($500 is what I paid for mine)
I have 1, as does member PhilM.
Either of us will be glad to rent the tool.
Rental Fee is $75 plus shipping.
Deposit is $500.
You'll get your $500 refunded once we receive our tool back and no parts missing/broken.
We both have Paypal.
You need a special tool to do that.
A $500 dollar tool...MSRP for the tool is almost $700 ($500 is what I paid for mine)
I have 1, as does member PhilM.
Either of us will be glad to rent the tool.
Rental Fee is $75 plus shipping.
Deposit is $500.
You'll get your $500 refunded once we receive our tool back and no parts missing/broken.
We both have Paypal.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
What year bike do you have? My '04 EG has different spacers for right and left side and, IIRC, the one of the left side should be oriented in a specific way (notched side toward the wheel, IIRC).
Also, do you have laced or cast wheels? The laced wheels require servicing from time to time to tighten spokes and, if not well maintained, the laced wheels needs to be trued.
Also, do you have laced or cast wheels? The laced wheels require servicing from time to time to tighten spokes and, if not well maintained, the laced wheels needs to be trued.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
The only thing I know of..is to align the motor.
You need a special tool to do that.
A $500 dollar tool...MSRP for the tool is almost $700 ($500 is what I paid for mine)
I have 1, as does member PhilM.
Either of us will be glad to rent the tool.
Rental Fee is $75 plus shipping.
Deposit is $500.
You'll get your $500 refunded once we receive our tool back and no parts missing/broken.
We both have Paypal.
You need a special tool to do that.
A $500 dollar tool...MSRP for the tool is almost $700 ($500 is what I paid for mine)
I have 1, as does member PhilM.
Either of us will be glad to rent the tool.
Rental Fee is $75 plus shipping.
Deposit is $500.
You'll get your $500 refunded once we receive our tool back and no parts missing/broken.
We both have Paypal.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
The only thing I know of..is to align the motor.
You need a special tool to do that.
A $500 dollar tool...MSRP for the tool is almost $700 ($500 is what I paid for mine)
I have 1, as does member PhilM.
Either of us will be glad to rent the tool.
Rental Fee is $75 plus shipping.
Deposit is $500.
You'll get your $500 refunded once we receive our tool back and no parts missing/broken.
We both have Paypal.
You need a special tool to do that.
A $500 dollar tool...MSRP for the tool is almost $700 ($500 is what I paid for mine)
I have 1, as does member PhilM.
Either of us will be glad to rent the tool.
Rental Fee is $75 plus shipping.
Deposit is $500.
You'll get your $500 refunded once we receive our tool back and no parts missing/broken.
We both have Paypal.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
By adjusting the mounting points of the motor, it changes the angle of the swingarm in relation to the tracking between the front and rear wheel alignment. Depending on which mounts you adjust, it will change the angle either horizontally or vertically. This is about the best way I interpreted the adjustment procedure.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 8
From: south
I have not done this, but I have read about using fluorescent light bulbs and rubber bands to check alignment. Don't laugh, read on!
You place a fluorescent tube on each side of the rear tire and use the rubber bands in front and behind the rear tire to hold the bulbs straight with the rear tire. The bulbs run up to the front tire on each side and you can see if something is out of align.
I know there are hi-tech ways of doing this(lasers), but this will get you in the ball park.
You place a fluorescent tube on each side of the rear tire and use the rubber bands in front and behind the rear tire to hold the bulbs straight with the rear tire. The bulbs run up to the front tire on each side and you can see if something is out of align.
I know there are hi-tech ways of doing this(lasers), but this will get you in the ball park.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
I have not done this, but I have read about using fluorescent light bulbs and rubber bands to check alignment. Don't laugh, read on!
You place a fluorescent tube on each side of the rear tire and use the rubber bands in front and behind the rear tire to hold the bulbs straight with the rear tire. The bulbs run up to the front tire on each side and you can see if something is out of align.
I know there are hi-tech ways of doing this(lasers), but this will get you in the ball park.
You place a fluorescent tube on each side of the rear tire and use the rubber bands in front and behind the rear tire to hold the bulbs straight with the rear tire. The bulbs run up to the front tire on each side and you can see if something is out of align.
I know there are hi-tech ways of doing this(lasers), but this will get you in the ball park.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
By adjusting the mounting points of the motor, it changes the angle of the swingarm in relation to the tracking between the front and rear wheel alignment. Depending on which mounts you adjust, it will change the angle either horizontally or vertically. This is about the best way I interpreted the adjustment procedure.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
Mine is a Jim's tool.
For '96 to current, excluding the new '09s
If anyone is interested in renting it, perhaps you could talk to a few of your buddies, make them pitch in. Have an "alignment party" some Saturday afternoon.
PM myself or PhilM if any of you would like to rent this tool.
As I said, we both have the alignment tool and will rent them out.