Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Rear Wheel Aligniment

Well I've fitted my new tyre and lined my rear wheel up as best as I can but I'm sure there are better ways of checking real wheel alignment (especialy with bikes fitted with centre stands) than the way I do it.
Having the bike up on its centre stand, it is impossible to run a string line from the rear wheel to the front wheel so the only option I have resorted to is to use a vernier caliper to measure the distance from the back of each swing arm leg to the notched drive chain adjuster. I then adjust the chain tension so the measurement is the same on both sides once the correct chain tension has been achieved. Any advice on how to get a better indication on correct alignment with a centre stand fitted would be greatly appreciated?

I use a little purpose built laser. Very quick and easy. Place it on the rear sprocket and sight it up the top of the lower chain to the front sprocket. Perfect alignment.
You can get them in Oz now from here. I have the cheaper dot version which is all you need. Just a miniscule rotation runs the dot the full length of the chain. I don't see any advantage in the more expensive version.

Actually I thought you saw it in action at OZBASM when we checked Benny's alignment after he got his new rear tyre.

Thanks Richard. I must have missed that light show. I understand that method would check that the drive train is aligned but I'm thinking that may not guarantee your front & rear wheels are tracking perfectly?

I guess if your front alignment or forks were out it wouldn't tell you, but isnt your drive train alignment inherent in your rear wheel alignment? I mean can one be true but not the other in a properly constructed bike with no frame damage? I'm not an expert, just asking the question to check my own assumptions.

Using a toothpick, counts the threads on each adjuster.

I bolt it on count the notches and ride. I have a couple choppers that don't have the notches and I use a tape measure from a common fixed point and measure from that point to the center of the axle.