Two Wheel Fix - How anal are you about rear wheel alignment?

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I just use the alignment marks on the swing arm. Good fuckin enough.

Trying to get the front wheel straight and then using string is old school. The easiest way is to have the rear axle parallel to the swing arm pivot bolt. If your exhaust is not in the way, just use a measuring tape so both sides are equal.

If your exhaust or centerstand is in the way, a set of dividing calipers works well. I made a set using a straight metal pole and clamps that hold Burette tubes like in chemistry class. I put a long nail in each of the two clamps and slide them along the bar. I place one nail into the center of the swing arm bolt and the other in the center of the axle. tighten down the clamps, check the chain slack, and check the other side. When both sides have the same distance between the axle and swingarm, the wheel is perfectly straight.

This picture shows the bar, one clamp, and a long nail in the clamp with the point in the center of the swingarm bolt. The other end of the bar (not shown) has another clamp, with a long nail in the center of the axle bolt. The long nails offset the bar away from my exhausts.
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6...caliperhi0.jpg

I do the measurement from center of pivit bolt to center of axle on all the cruisers... but seldom do peeps here use the same meathods. The tool I posted is what I used on my rockets back then.

I should sell my Motion Pro. Since I got the Gilles adjusters I don't need it. I used it to double check a couple of times and it came up perfect so I don't use it anymore. Before that I usually counted the threads coming out of the adj bolt... seemed to work okay for me.:idk:

Not too anal about it. I measure swingarm pivot to axle, if they are within a 16th I quit and move on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tached1000rr (Post 251076)

I'm not anal about it, but I know a few who are. For me, it's been all good so far.

Same here. I've had the rear tire off of both bikes and now have the front tire off of the R6 to replace the tire tomorrow. I just eyeball it and use the guide lines that came on the bike and never seem to have any issues.

I keep the chain clean and lubricated as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER (Post 251484)

QFT! Yea, once you get it right, you're good until you change chains/sprockets and even then if you're a bit anal about how many times you turn the adj screws....:lol:

QFT?

I have no idea how many times I turn the screw. I haven't changed the tire since last year. I have my husband to help me so I don't pay attention to it. That is his job!

So I changed my tire last week and didn't mess with anything but removing the rear axle nut.
I did make sure that the lines matched up on both sides in case they had been bumped. But never loosened those screws.

I never much worry about aligning it. Having to let all of the air out of my tire and using dish washing soap to lube it past the swing arm on the other hand......not so much fun.