Xfz Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Does anyone have a good way to make sure that the rear tire is aligned correctly? The original tire wore more on the left side eventhough the swing arm marks appeared correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschoolsdime92 Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 I measure from the swing arm to the tire. and set it the same on each side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfz Posted June 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Are you saying left front and rear vs. right front and rear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natedogg624 Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 no, swingarm pivot point to the rear axle. measure both sides, compare and adjust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Just because your tire wears more on the left side doesnt mean that its out of alignment. The roads are all crowned down hill from center. This is done on purpose to drain water away. To tell if its out of align, ride it on a straight road and let go of the handlebars, if it doesnt pull one way or the other significantly, its not out of align. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfz Posted June 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 The road crowns are a good point. No the bike never pulled to either side. However, the front does not show the same wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschoolsdime92 Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hue jass Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 They stamp the alignment marks after the swing arm is completed. They're true. Get them lined-up to the nearest mark and then count half turns to the right chain tension. Should be good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfz Posted June 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Nope, the bike is new from Honda. I am going to do a bit of measuring when I get a chance. For now I gave it a 1/4 turn more on the left when the chain was tensioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox_racing_guy Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 I use a laser alignment system to check my bikes, it's kind of a pain in the ass to set up but works well when you take the time to do it correctly. Check you chain alignment as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaNick Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 I use a motion pro alignment tool and it works fine for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wht_scorpion Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Just because your tire wears more on the left side doesnt mean that its out of alignment. The roads are all crowned down hill from center. This is done on purpose to drain water away. To tell if its out of align, ride it on a straight road and let go of the handlebars, if it doesnt pull one way or the other significantly, its not out of align. or it could be to much weight on one side of the bike need to lever out the weight on the bike lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustinsn3485 Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 As someone else mentioned, I measure from the swingarm pivot bolt to the rear axle.You need to find two fixed points to measure from. Using distances from swingarm to tire on either side isn't very accurate, nor are the marks that are factory set on the swingarm.The motion pro chain alignment tool or using a tape and measuring from pivot to axle are your best options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfz Posted June 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Fox racing guy you just might have crossed that fine line. :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox_racing_guy Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Fox racing guy you just might have crossed that fine line. :wink:If your ever around New Philadelphia I would be happy to align your bike as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 You can line the rear tire axle up with:The marks on the swingarm/adjusterThe swingarm pivot (which pretty much will be square to the engine/frame)The chain (which makes the chain and sprockets happy)The front wheel (hard to do but probably the most accurate except for funky bikes that have one wheel off center from the other)all work, although there can be problems with each.What I'm thinking is that none of this type alignment would have caused the off center wear. I've seen road crown wear and cupping on the left side of front tires, but can't really remember having seen it on the rear. Probably because rear tires mostly wear so fast right down the center. A bent swingarm might do it, but I had a slightly bent swingarm on an old scrambler, and it really made no difference. (Other than slightly different transitions between front and rear wheels through left and right corners.)So I'll go with you're making too many left turns. Logic rules...edit: the front tire will take longer to show similar road crown type off center wear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfz Posted June 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 As a matter of fact I do go through New Phillie regularly. I would love to see how your system works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfz Posted June 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 ReconRat you make good sense. I do love left turns. very comfortable rolling on the throttle as well. May be too tight on the right clip-on. Shit, I got to scrounge up some money for a a couple of track days. That will either kill me or get me comfortable on the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremef4i Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 no, swingarm pivot point to the rear axle. measure both sides, compare and adjust.thats how I do it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 This thread makes me appreciate belt drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.