Author Topic: Wheel alignment  (Read 4471 times)

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Offline tlbranth

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Wheel alignment
« on: March 02, 2009, 09:03:23 PM »
I had to relace both wheels on my K0 and didn't have any info on the hub/rim position relationship for either so I was interested in the alignment discussions in the sohc-4 forum. I think it was hondaman said to have a frind hold the bike up while you used a stringline to check alignment. I came up with another way that I think is a bit easier - don't know if it's original or not. I used an 8' long piece of 1/2" plywood about 1' or so wide. I put a good straight on one edge and made a cutout to clear the centre stand. I set the thing on some lifts on the left side of the bike, adjusted the ply to touch the rear tire front and back the measured the distance, front and back, from the front tire to the ply. I had to mess with the steering a tad to make them the same - 5mm. Then I flipped the ply, and did the same thing on the right side of the bike. It measured out at 7mm. I didn't think a 1mm movement was worth the effort so left it as-is. Pretty easy to do though. If your ply edge isn't dead-on, when you flip the ply from side to side, the error will be the same on each and should still give you a good reading. I have a jointer so I got a pretty good edge. Hope this is of help to someone.

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Offline Head

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Re: Wheel alignment
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2009, 06:46:55 PM »
Good idea!    Head
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matt365

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Re: Wheel alignment
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2009, 08:19:03 AM »
Get the rear off the ground, place a shop towel ontop of the chain, and rotate the rear wheel to tighten the shop towel between the chain and rear sprocket.  The chain will now be taught and can be adjusted to line up with the front sprocket. 

Rotate back to pull out the shop towel and tighten down the axle.

Easiest way.

-Matt

Offline eurban

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Re: Wheel alignment
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2009, 07:02:11 PM »
The front sprocket floats a good bit on the splines so in my experience there is a large range where the chain will appear to be lined up.  Precision is limited and you are assuming chain wear is the primary reason for wheel alignment.  For handling purposes, I would suggest focusing on having correct front to rear wheel alignment (using straight edges or string lines).  The results in handling improvement can be quite noticeable.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2009, 03:46:28 AM by eurban »