Topic: 76 cb550 not aligned well

[bboyroxas]

I realized tonight I have to keep my bars slightly turned to the left in order to go completely straight.  What could be off I have replaced the triple tree recently and the fork tubes they are completely straight I know could it be the wheel??

[Bankerdanny]

Are the upper and lower triples lined up properly?

[bboyroxas]

I mean I think so but how can I tell because wouldn't the forks keep them lined up

[TwoTired]

Check the rear axle alignment.

I have a glass plate (flat) that I put on the front forks during triple tree alignment.  This pretty much assures the fork tubes are parallel with each other as long as the tubes aren't bent.

If the frame is bent, it won't steer with straight handle bars.

Are the handle bars bent?

[bryanj]

With the bike on the centre stand stand in front of it with the wheel clamped between your legs grab the handle bars and pull the side that is too far back

[bboyroxas]

The handlebars are brand new and so are the fork tubes so that cannot be it.  U think it is the rear wheel not aligned?  Also if I put it on the center stand which I don't have how would just pulling it in the right direction do anything the steel is so thick.

[TwoTired]

The chain slack adjusters are also rear wheel aligners.  The adjuster marks aren't always accurate.

If the rear wheel points to the left, the bars will have to be turned left to have the bike travel in a straight line on the road.  The bike will be crabbing slightly.

The triple trees don't self align.  The top tree can swivel off different from the bottom tree and this makes the fork tubes, non-parallel.  That's why the glass plate is handy during fork installation.

[Bankerdanny]

Straight tubes does not automatically equal aligned triples.

[bboyroxas]

Okay I was not aware of that so how to I align them using a glass plate I do not know what you mean by this and also what is the easiest way to align the real wheel with the chain adjusters?

[bboyroxas]

I stood up on the pegs of my bike when pulling into my driveway and I realized that the headlight and everything was crooked and not aligned to the front tire I cant really tell as much when I ride it except that I notice my left hand has more pressure on it when I am going down the road.

[Pecantree]

Been gone for awhile, good to be back.
 Used this procedure and it seems to work well.
YMMV
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=8909.msg344288#msg344288
good luck
Steve

[TwoTired]

Okay I was not aware of that so how to I align them using a glass plate I do not know what you mean by this

It's a geometry thing.  Plate glass is made flat.  If you can lay it flat across both fork tubes, and the tubes make contact all along the length, then the tubes are parallel.  They can only be parallel if the upper tree fork mounts are in perfect alignment with the lower fork tree mounts and not twisted with respect to one another.  If not, you loosen clamps on the trees, as well as the top tree nut and push/pull on the tubes so the plate can lay flat and make full contact.   Then you snug up the clamp bolts and top nut while maintaining the fork in parallel.  If your bike still has the accordion boots that cover the tubes, the process is more involved, and the lower tubes must be removed to gain access to the bare fork tubes.

and also what is the easiest way to align the real wheel with the chain adjusters?

You haven't said if the chain/axle adjuster marks align currently, and with the same mark on both sides of the axle mount.  That's the first thing to verify.

Rear wheel alignment, if the marks are off, requires a long straight edge to reach both wheel rims fore and aft, and four equal length pins to reach between the front and rear rim edges and the straight edge.  Homemade stuff is a bit fiddly.  But, it can be cheaper than a motorcycle alignment shop, though they can also tell you if the frame is bent from a prior accident that wasn't repaired correctly.

[bboyroxas]

Okay I was not aware of that so how to I align them using a glass plate I do not know what you mean by this

It's a geometry thing.  Plate glass is made flat.  If you can lay it flat across both fork tubes, and the tubes make contact all along the length, then the tubes are parallel.  They can only be parallel if the upper tree fork mounts are in perfect alignment with the lower fork tree mounts and not twisted with respect to one another.  If not, you loosen clamps on the trees, as well as the top tree nut and push/pull on the tubes so the plate can lay flat and make full contact.   Then you snug up the clamp bolts and top nut while maintaining the fork in parallel.  If your bike still has the accordion boots that cover the tubes, the process is more involved, and the lower tubes must be removed to gain access to the bare fork tubes.

and also what is the easiest way to align the real wheel with the chain adjusters?

You haven't said if the chain/axle adjuster marks align currently, and with the same mark on both sides of the axle mount.  That's the first thing to verify.

Rear wheel alignment, if the marks are off, requires a long straight edge to reach both wheel rims fore and aft, and four equal length pins to reach between the front and rear rim edges and the straight edge.  Homemade stuff is a bit fiddly.  But, it can be cheaper than a motorcycle alignment shop, though they can also tell you if the frame is bent from a prior accident that wasn't repaired correctly.

So do I just get a small rectangle piece of plate glass and press it across the tubes from the front to see if it touches on both sides?  I do not have boots either.

[TwoTired]

So do I just get a small rectangle piece of plate glass and press it across the tubes from the front to see if it touches on both sides?  I do not have boots either.

Yes.  It has to be flat along both fork tubes.  The longer the tube contact area to glass the better.  And extending the lowers helps expose more upper tube length.

[bboyroxas]

I'm going to get a good piece of plate glass but you can tell in my picture that the wheel is off

[bboyroxas]

So do I just get a small rectangle piece of plate glass and press it across the tubes from the front to see if it touches on both sides?  I do not have boots either.

Yes.  It has to be flat along both fork tubes.  The longer the tube contact area to glass the better.  And extending the lowers helps expose more upper tube length.

Could my wheel be bent TwoTired?

[TwoTired]

Could my wheel be bent TwoTired?

Dunno.    Prop up the bike so the front wheel dangles.  (Aren't you sorry now that the center stand is gone?) 
Anyway, you can see the tread wander side to side while spinning it in free air when it is bent.

[bboyroxas]

Extremely sorry when I bought the bike it was missing

[Black 750K8]

Don't focus on the tread. Look at the edge of the wheel. If you don't have the proper tool make a pointer out of a coat hanger it will work well for what you need. If you need more about that just ask.

[Steve_K]

The 550's (3) that I have seen, all seem to have the rim laced off center to the hub.  They were all off the same way.  I think that is the way Honda sold them.  If I am wrong,  I don't mind being corrected.  750 wheels (2) that I have looked at were the same.  A Henry Abe wheel was the same with the correct spacers installed.
Steve