Topic: cb550F sprocket alignment issue help needed

[754]

A few things..
Jakal shows the BEST tool. For measuring what spacer SHOULD be there WITH wheel lined up. Have done it dozens of times.

First though, without wiping off sprockets, check them visually..misalignment witll clearly show by shiny one side greasy on other.

As to swingarm being brittle I doubt it..hard to get mild steel to harden up ...short of bending a thin rod repeatedly. So get a correct measurement of swing arm width. Put bike a centrestand, tie stand to immovable object and hold front securely. .now pull ONE side of swingarm so that it stays over the amount you think it needs, then pull other side till you get correct inner width.
Now it could be out up and down a bit as well .. To correct that pull swing arm and level the pivot shaft, then replace swingarm and check the axle in the slots with a level..

 If you have trouble with how to tweak the swingarm try fastening a 2x3 to side of arm with a ratchet strap.... Total do it at home job..

[rosewood]

Love it when I get conflicting information!

To Bend or Not to bend ??

I have contacted a frame alignment specialist here in New Zealand, Ill see what he comes back with. My gut feel is it could be tweaked back provided it is fully inspected afterwards for any cracks in the welds...

754 have you practiced this procedure you have described yourself before?

[754]

I am not sure if I. Bent a swingarm back, but stock ones are same material as the frame which can be straighten after impact in many cases.
 Have straightened a few sets of fork tubes, they are higher carbon content steel and less forgiving than the Honda swigarm material.
 Forks that sit 3/4 of an inch or more off a straight edge can be straightened to 3 thou runnout or better, as long as they are not kinked...if a swingarm was bent that far you coudnt ride the bike and chain would not fit..
 Hope that explains it a bit.
 

[rosewood]

Update on my situation....

I took the plunge and ordered a swing arm from a E-bay seller in Germany, shipping was not too bad to NZ, took a few weeks to turn up. Assembled it all last night and now the sprockets are lining up pretty damn well. The rear wheel is sitting fairly centered under the sub-frame also.

Nice when things work out like that...now to get on with the rest of the build..