Belt Question, Please??
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 4
I'm not sure about your alignment procedure. The method I use requires a wheel vice for the front tire/wheel. Clamp the tire/wheel in the vice & use a magnetic level on the front rotor to verify you have it level. Then use a long straight edge to verify alignment of the rear wheel per the shop manual.
The frame won't necessarily be level either on the top or bottom. It's bent to meet the mounting needs of the motor/transmission.
The frame won't necessarily be level either on the top or bottom. It's bent to meet the mounting needs of the motor/transmission.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
+1 with Jinks on the alignment - I have a 00 Electra Glide Classic, earlier this year I did a full vehicle alignment and used string around the back tire under the bike to the front tire. Sounds funny but the vibration I was chasing for 6 months is gone. Good luck.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 771
Likes: 2
From: Hurricane,WV
Also, I believe that Harley still puts small holes in the swing arm for wheel alignment. You measure from the center of them to the center of the axle to get proper alignment . Not saying the way you did it is wrong, but just easier to do form a closer point.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 12
From: SE Florida
Nightking,
Yes, I've already put the rear wheel straight by doing those measurements.
Jinks,
I'm doing this in my garage and the floor is level side to side and drops down to the outside, as it should. If you put the front tire in the vise how can you be sure that the bike is 100% vertical? Or even 100% straight? If it's not 100%, then trying to adjust the rear tire to be truley vertical might bevery difficult. So I figured if I level the bike horizontally by using the frame under my seat, I'd then be able to adjust the rear tire to be vertical. I used my jack stand under the bike with some shims to get the top frame level in the bubble. Once I got the bike 100% vertical, you could see the rear tire wasn't standing straight up so I used the upper adjuster to move the top of the engine over, as per the book. But the adjustment was so extreme, as it is now spread apart so much, that I feel something just isn't right.
Yes, I've already put the rear wheel straight by doing those measurements.
Jinks,
I'm doing this in my garage and the floor is level side to side and drops down to the outside, as it should. If you put the front tire in the vise how can you be sure that the bike is 100% vertical? Or even 100% straight? If it's not 100%, then trying to adjust the rear tire to be truley vertical might bevery difficult. So I figured if I level the bike horizontally by using the frame under my seat, I'd then be able to adjust the rear tire to be vertical. I used my jack stand under the bike with some shims to get the top frame level in the bubble. Once I got the bike 100% vertical, you could see the rear tire wasn't standing straight up so I used the upper adjuster to move the top of the engine over, as per the book. But the adjustment was so extreme, as it is now spread apart so much, that I feel something just isn't right.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Yachtman - I agree with you if you are making major adjustments some thing doesn't smell right, in my case I had made no more than a turn and a half on the lower adjuster
and just over a half turn on the one between the jugs and every thing lined right up.
Has your bike ever been in an accident?
and just over a half turn on the one between the jugs and every thing lined right up.
Has your bike ever been in an accident?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Jinks,
I'm doing this in my garage and the floor is level side to side and drops down to the outside, as it should. If you put the front tire in the vise how can you be sure that the bike is 100% vertical? Or even 100% straight? If it's not 100%, then trying to adjust the rear tire to be truley vertical might bevery difficult. So I figured if I level the bike horizontally by using the frame under my seat, I'd then be able to adjust the rear tire to be vertical. I used my jack stand under the bike with some shims to get the top frame level in the bubble. Once I got the bike 100% vertical, you could see the rear tire wasn't standing straight up so I used the upper adjuster to move the top of the engine over, as per the book. But the adjustment was so extreme, as it is now spread apart so much, that I feel something just isn't right.
I'm doing this in my garage and the floor is level side to side and drops down to the outside, as it should. If you put the front tire in the vise how can you be sure that the bike is 100% vertical? Or even 100% straight? If it's not 100%, then trying to adjust the rear tire to be truley vertical might bevery difficult. So I figured if I level the bike horizontally by using the frame under my seat, I'd then be able to adjust the rear tire to be vertical. I used my jack stand under the bike with some shims to get the top frame level in the bubble. Once I got the bike 100% vertical, you could see the rear tire wasn't standing straight up so I used the upper adjuster to move the top of the engine over, as per the book. But the adjustment was so extreme, as it is now spread apart so much, that I feel something just isn't right.
I just looked at my shop manual & was reminded about unloading (loosening, then re-tightening) the motor mount after changing alignment. Not doing that can induce vibration. Of course you re-check the alignment after unloading the motor mount.
What part of S.E. Fla. are you in?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,639
Likes: 2
From: Scottsboro
I had that same problem with the belt rubbing the tire when I rolled the wheel backwards. I checked the alignment like the service manual said to and all was good. So awhile back I started getting a little chirp when I deceled and checked the belt..loose. After tightening up the belt it doesn't move over and rub the tire anymore. Check your belt tension and check alignment from the swing arm pivot to your axle.
+1 if you made no changes before it started
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