Alignment after chain adjustment

[Drewski]

I just did my first chain adjustment and now I'm not sure I have the rear tire straight. When I had it on the rear stand and ran it in 1st gear, the chain seemed to move back and forth a small bit. I ran a string from the front to rear tire and it looks to be out about 1/8 - 1/4 of an inch from side to side but the adjustment marks are dead on. The bike is a '98 Honda VTR1000. Should I go by the marks like the manual says and leave it at that? Thanks in advance for any help.

[nhbubba]

Demonstrates the "string method" for aligning. Google 'round for more.

Personally I use the hash marks 9/10 times. The 10th when I'm feeling anal I bust out the tape measure and measure from the swingarm pivot bolt to the axle on both sides. So far I've yet to find a motorcycle where the hash marks on the swingarm are not accurate enough for my needs.

[Tekime]

Personally I use the hash marks 9/10 times. The 10th when I'm feeling anal I bust out the tape measure and measure from the swingarm pivot bolt to the axle on both sides. So far I've yet to find a motorcycle where the hash marks on the swingarm are not accurate enough for my needs.

^ Same here. Digital caliper works too.

I've read if your bike has a fixed point on the frame that's identical on both sides you can measure distance to the axle on both sides there as well. Been meaning to look into this as it might be more reliable and just as simple. The string method drives me nuts. And for some reason I never seem to have any string handy.

[Drewski]

Wirelessly posted

Thank you guys.

[Jim]

i bought the alignment tool from Jimmy Chance on the WERA boards. it's done me very well over the years.

[Kurlon]

I've got a homemade tool. (Heyooo!)

I started with a bar of aluminum from the hardware section of Home Depot. To it I've attached two zipties with the leads cut to about 3". I take said handy tool and space the zipties apart so I can hold it up to the swingarm and have a ziptie end touching the center of the axle and swingarm pivot bolts. Once setup, I then move to the other side to check to see if it still lines up without adjustment. That'll align the wheel to the swingarm pivot.

The other check is to spin the wheel a few times and then look at the chain at the furthest back point on the rear sprocket, midway between the top and bottom. If the sprocket to chain alignment is good the chain will have matching gaps on each side of the teeth. If the chain is pressed up on one side and not the other, the chain alignment is off.

Depending on the state of your bike, chain alignment and wheel to swingarm pivot may not occur at the same time. Neither may be true straight either.

[isaac_]

I've got a homemade tool. (Heyooo!)

I started with a bar of aluminum from the hardware section of Home Depot. To it I've attached two zipties with the leads cut to about 3". I take said handy tool and space the zipties apart so I can hold it up to the swingarm and have a ziptie end touching the center of the axle and swingarm pivot bolts. Once setup, I then move to the other side to check to see if it still lines up without adjustment. That'll align the wheel to the swingarm pivot.

The other check is to spin the wheel a few times and then look at the chain at the furthest back point on the rear sprocket, midway between the top and bottom. If the sprocket to chain alignment is good the chain will have matching gaps on each side of the teeth. If the chain is pressed up on one side and not the other, the chain alignment is off.

Depending on the state of your bike, chain alignment and wheel to swingarm pivot may not occur at the same time. Neither may be true straight either.

Too many words. Needs more pictures.

[Tekime]

I've got a homemade tool. (Heyooo!)

I started with a bar of aluminum from the hardware section of Home Depot. To it I've attached two zipties with the leads cut to about 3". I take said handy tool and space the zipties apart so I can hold it up to the swingarm and have a ziptie end touching the center of the axle and swingarm pivot bolts. Once setup, I then move to the other side to check to see if it still lines up without adjustment. That'll align the wheel to the swingarm pivot.

I'm very curious about this. Maybe I'm not getting it... sounds like you just made a ruler lol. I second the pics request ^

Love my homemade valve spring compressor.. kicks the "real" tools butt, sometimes expensive is not better! Would love to have another trick up my sleeve for alignment.

[Kurlon]

I'm very curious about this. Maybe I'm not getting it... sounds like you just made a ruler lol. I second the pics request ^

That's exactly what it is, a ruler with adjustable probes. I'll get pics this weekend.

[carsick]

I don' care what Isaac says, I want no pictures of Kurlon's probe tool.

[Tekime]

lmao

[carsick]

He was my den mother at the track. I don't want to ruin that with things that can't be unseen.

[nhbubba]

"Was." Ha!

[Tekime]

I don't know, if it's adjustable you have to be a little curious

[carsick]

It's all in how you use it. To hell with these new "adjustable" ones.

[Drewski]

Thanks again guys. Figured out what I did wrong and went ahead and re-did it this morning. I appreciate the help.

[Studio X]

And for the high tech path -I give you the ... Profi Laser

I have one and it works as advertised.

x

[Tekime]

And for the high tech path -I give you the ... Profi Laser

I have one and it works as advertised.

x

Neato. I've puzzled over using a laser for a DIY tool but didn't think to use the chain as a reference. I've got a line laser kicking around somewhere too...

Would love one of these Sealey setups: Sealey MS070 Motorcycle Wheel Laser Aligner - YouTube