Topic: rear tire alignment cb750k2

[amattel]

I have had my k2 close to 2 1/2 years now and I have found using the notches on the swingarm to align the rear tire a hit or miss business.

I remember one time I think I really hit it on and the bike handled really well.

All my other attempts have been just so-so...

So I just put a new tire on the back (dunlop gt501 120/90-18) and went on a group ride through NApa.  A rider who was behind me noticed that my bike was "crabbing" and said my rear tire wasn't aligned correctly.

Those tick marks are so hard to accurately align to for me.

Does anyone have another method for tire alignment that is more precise?

thanks.

Adam

[mcpuffett]

hi adam, you could try highlighting the marks on your swing arm with white paint or something similar  or look in the archives on here there may be something else in there that may help    mick.

[Jonesy]

You can take a straight piece of metal tubing or angle (I'm thinking aluminum angle) and lay it on the pavement under the bike. Make sure it is touching up against the rear tire and be sure the handlebars are pointing straight ahead. Look at the gap with the front tire. If the gap is uniform front to back with the metal angle, the tires are aligned. If the gap is angled in either direction, the rear tire needs to be better aligned with the front.

[SteveD CB500F]

Run a search on "tire alignment" or even "tyre alignment".

The tried and trusted method uses a piece of string tied between the front and rear wheels - I can't remember if I ever turned it into a FAQ though. Should have done.

If you can't find it, let us know and we'll see if anyone can write it up (it eally needs pictures)

Steve

[dusterdude]

i adjust my wheel until the chain is running in the middle of the sprocket.i figure if the chain is running true then the tire must be too.

[amattel]

I ran a search before I posted, but didn't find anything.

I just gave it a try using two pieces of wire.  both tied to the rear of the rear wheel and running down either side of it.

I kneeled in front of the front wheel while hold a wire in each hand.  I brought each from outside toward center until I saw that they just touched the front outermost edge of the rear tire on each side.

This seemed to work.  The bike feels like if moves more effortlessly and with more stability.

If I look at the tick marks, however, they are way off of each other with one being just before the 2nd tick and the other being just after.

I noticed a slight cupping the the rear tire wear just from approximately 300 miles riding in this state of misalignment since the tire was installed.

I wonder what causes teh swing arm to no longer be in alignment between left and right side tick marks?

[stevej]

When using a "straight edge" to align front and rear wheels dont forget to raise it a little off the ground. Ive never trusted those marks on the swingarm,but if youre sure youve got it right now and the bikes handling well .Now is proberably a good time to put a datum mark on the swingarm and adjuster,to help with future reference.

[SteveD CB500F]

Agree with SteveJ. Ignore the marks and when tensioning chain, be sure to take up the same number of turns per side.

Adam - you're method sounds fine, although I've always done it with one piece of string tied to the rear wheel, fed through the centre stand and touched to the outside of the front tyre.