Topic: CB550 wheel alignment seems off relative to front sprocket

[jakec]

Got the wheels back from the shop with new tires. I tensioned the chain and aligned the wheels via notches. Rolling it around the shop it was noisy so I took the sprocket cover and chain guard off. It looks to me like the wheel is too far to the left. However I have double checked and looked at the fiches and I’m pretty sure I have the spacer set up correctly.

When I doing the wheel the chain is loud and the link don’t fall on the front sprocket nicely. The chain is hitting the inside of the teeth like the chain is being pulled to far to the left side by the rear sprocket. I’ve tried adjusting the sides of the axle individually to point the rear sprocket more toward the center of the bike. But the chain still falls over the front sprocket in a nasty way. I also checked the whole chain when I reinstalled it and there are no kinked/seized links. Bike has 5500 miles.

[DaveBarbier]

First, measure the distance from the axle ends to the swing arm pivot bolt ends and make sure they’re the same. That’s a better way to check wheel alignment than using the hash marks on the swing arm.

Is the sprocket loose on the hub?

[jakec]

Looking at the back of the sprocket, it looks flush with the hub on all four points of contact.

[jakec]

I have checked and double checked.. I'm not missing a spacer on the chain side of the wheel, however that is how it seems. Seems like the wheel should be moved toward the left side of the bike...

[DaveBarbier]

So before the shop work there was no problem but now after reassembly it doesn’t seem right. Did you align the wheel by measuring up to the swing arm yet?

And all the shop did was put new tires on your wheels?

[jakec]

I removed the wheels myself and took them to the shop, to save on labor. Then reinstalled myself.

I did not try the string method yet. However last night when I was working on it, I had both sides of the axle loose, sliding them around to try and find a better position which would align the chain better (no luck).

The only thing I changed was I tightened the M6 retaining bolts on the front sprocket about 1/16 turn each. That and reinstalling the wheel and brake linkage. I should probably disconnect that while I am trying to realign the wheel. Will try string method tonight.

[DaveBarbier]

You could align the front wheel to the rear with the string method, that works really well but only if the forks are aimed perfectly straight.

For measuring the swing arm, use a tape measure or a yard stick, something more rigid than string.

[Don R]

 Could the 7 and 14 spacers be reversed? It appears you have the correct amount of axle sticking past the nut and if one was missing things would bind up when you tighten the nut.
 Just a guess but I've done that on a 750 before.

[jakec]

I never took off the sprocket, so unless it was that way when I go the bike, I don't think so. Unfortunately I don't remember if the chain "clicked" when I initially got the bike. I don't think so, though.

[Marks78]

This is a long shot but -- if the shop that mounted the tires had to take the hub apart to put it on their tire changing machine then they could have put it back together incorrectly.

[jakec]

I can call them and ask about that.

[CB400JAY]

You are missing a spacer on the left side.  I'm pretty sure that it's number 7.

[jakec]

Would #7 stick out past #2? Or does #2 rest on #7? Are you saying I'm missing the spacer because you should be able to see it in the photo?

edit: seems #7 would have to stick out past #2 to affect alignment.

[CB400JAY]

Yes, you should see it.  Just had a look at my own CB550 to make sure.  Somethings missing.

[jakec]

Just found this photo on ebay. Can't really tell on my photo due to the angle, but I will check when I get home.

[jakec]

I feel like my wheel wouldn't spin freely without this part (which it does).

[CB400JAY]

Mine is a 550F.  Might be a different back wheel setup with a bigger spacer.

UPDATE:Just checked and the CB550F does use a bigger spacer than a standard 550.  So that's probably not your issue.

[CB400JAY]

Did you solve this?

[jgger]

In the 1st picture  what is up with your shock? The spring cover is cocked over to one side, is it missing a retainer?
Did the bike get wrecked or hit and tweek the swing arm? Something ain't kosher back there.

[jakec]

 Have not worked on the bike since I made the post since I’ve been on vacation. I am planning to work on it again on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Regarding the shock cover I am not sure, I’ve never noticed that before. Maybe the cover is just tweaked. I don’t know if the bike has been down before, I just got it. It’s basically been sitting in the PO’s shop for years.

[rosewood]

Try removing the chain and checking with a straight edge on the rear sprocket how it aligns with the front sprocket. If you cant get it to line up and be parallel with the front by adjusting the rear wheel then maybe your rear swing arm may be bent.

If this is a new to you bike and you are unsure what it was like before you took it apart then I would double check with a straight edge as described above and then also check alignment with the front wheel with rear using the string line method.

You can also check with a plumb bob how the upper shock mounts align vertically with the mounts on the swing arm. How does your rear wheel look relative to the subframe? is it centered looking from the back and top?

So first check the rear wheel is assembled correctly then rear sprocket alignment with front then front and back wheel alignment.

I had a similar issue with mine and ended up having to replace the rear swing arm as it was bent. Once that was sorted my wheels were still not aligned front and back and I had to get the steering tube on the frame tweaked back by a specialist to correct everything.

There's a bit of worked involved but its worth the piece of mind knowing all the geometry is correct.

Hope this helps
rosewood...

[jakec]

I did not have the plumb bob so I measured the distance from axle to swing arm axle, and they were the same, about 17-5/8”. I also measured the shocks, frame to swingarm, and they were the same, about 12-1/2”.

I did have the chain a little tight. I loosened it a bit and decided to mark the links that “walked” over the front sprocket. All were repeat offenders, with the “main” loudest link being the loudest on every revolution. So I am sure I at least need a new chain. I guess I will order a new chain and sprocket kit and go from there.

Regarding the shock cover, it’s just loose. You can move it around by hand.

[754]

You could have a few sticky links, oil them.
 Check the chain for wear by pulling it away from the sprocket at the rear of bike.. how much does it move.
 We sort of assume here that you started out with a lubed chain with no links sticking.

[jakec]

Well before I reinstalled the chain (after getting new tires) I tested the chain for links that were stuck since this happened on my 400. I only noticed that one link was a little tougher to "move" than the others. Maybe this is the one that was making the "clink" noise and walking across the sprocket.However there were also other links that made noise but not as bad as this one link.

Any tips to clean the chain? If I can clean the chain and save myself $50 I'd be happy.

[jakec]

I soaked the chain in gasoline for about 20 minutes and then reapplied chain oil. The sticky link is still stuff, pictured below. There is one other link where the rivets look mangled, but that link works just fine. Time for a new chain?