How To Check Front and Rear Motorcycle Wheel Alignment

Motofool · January 9th, 2015, 05:25 PM

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ho...rage-tech-tips

chrly · January 9th, 2015, 06:20 PM

Funny part is , I never read anyone suggesting that the front end should be checked before anything is done..Not sure about all bikes but I know that it is easy for someone to unknowingly put teh front wheel back on and actually have it in a bind on my personal bikes...

spooph · January 14th, 2015, 09:13 AM

This is awesome, very helpful, thanks for posting!

Bubba · January 14th, 2015, 12:19 PM

They should remove those stamped alignment marks from swingarm chain adjusters, they are misleading.

greenaero · January 14th, 2015, 12:35 PM

Hernan, Great info as usual!

thank you

nickjpass · January 16th, 2015, 01:12 AM

I like it perfect..can't stand it. How so you keep your chain with the correct amount of slack if you have tto align your wheels!

Makes my brain hurt because I remember how frustrated I got with chain maintenance.

InvisiBill · January 18th, 2015, 09:24 PM

The version of this used over on the 500 forum is to attach the string to the rear tire, as it's wider. Run the strings toward the front, just barely touching the front edges of the rear tire. With the strings extended out forward, you should have the same gap on each side of the front tire. Either way, you're just making sure that the one tire's tracking path matches the other tire's, so that they're in alignment with each other.

Note that it's possible to pull on the string too much so it's actually bending around the tire, rather than just indicating the line along the edge of the tire. I have a laser-line level that I've tried to use for this, but I haven't come up with a good fool-proof way to do things. It makes for a nice perfectly-straight "string" for checking alignment, but I just haven't figured out a simple way to mount a pair of them for instant checking. Others have used sections of conduit pipe strapped to the rear tire as well. You just need *something* extending in a straight line to the other wheel to verify that they line up.

chrly · January 19th, 2015, 07:38 AM

I just make sure the front wheel/forks are not in a bind then align the rear axle with the swingarm bolt. I have a simple device that checks distance.

verboten1 · January 19th, 2015, 10:23 AM

being centered to each other is not critical. being parallel to each other is.

Point in case, my viragos (both of them) the rear wheel is offset to the right of center by 1/4" or so (from the factory)
BMW GS's have an offset as well IIRC

chrly · January 19th, 2015, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verboten1

being centered to each other is not critical. being parallel to each other is.

Point in case, my viragos (both of them) the rear wheel is offset to the right of center by 1/4" or so (from the factory)
BMW GS's have an offset as well IIRC

As does teh Kawi ZRX1200.

Alex · January 19th, 2015, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvisiBill

The version of this used over on the 500 forum is to attach the string to the rear tire, as it's wider.

Yep - sounds similar to the one we have here in our DIY area:

DIY- Chain Adjustment and Rear Wheel Alignment

cadd · March 26th, 2015, 08:28 AM

I also tie the string to the rear tire, then use hammers to tie the string up front to make it nice and taunt.

I suppose tying the string to the front tire is a much much quicker way if you have 2 people doing it.

I have no friends....so I was forced to do it alone =/

January 9th, 2015, 05:25 PM	#1
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	How To Check Front and Rear Motorcycle Wheel Alignment http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ho...rage-tech-tips __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

January 9th, 2015, 06:20 PM	#2
chrly ninjette.org member Name: Charley Location: Northern California Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Kawasaki EX300 , 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Posts: 164	Funny part is , I never read anyone suggesting that the front end should be checked before anything is done..Not sure about all bikes but I know that it is easy for someone to unknowingly put teh front wheel back on and actually have it in a bind on my personal bikes... __________________________________________________ IBA # 59523

January 14th, 2015, 09:13 AM	#3
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	This is awesome, very helpful, thanks for posting! __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.

January 14th, 2015, 12:35 PM	#5
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Hernan, Great info as usual! thank you __________________________________________________ 235 MPG Hypermotorcycling to a better tomorrow

January 16th, 2015, 01:12 AM	#6
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	I like it perfect..can't stand it. How so you keep your chain with the correct amount of slack if you have tto align your wheels! Makes my brain hurt because I remember how frustrated I got with chain maintenance. __________________________________________________

January 14th, 2015, 12:19 PM	#4
Bubba ninjette.org member Name: Bubba Location: Hamilton, Canada Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: 99	They should remove those stamped alignment marks from swingarm chain adjusters, they are misleading.

January 18th, 2015, 09:24 PM	#7
InvisiBill EX500 full of EX250 parts Name: Bill Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Aug '15	The version of this used over on the 500 forum is to attach the string to the rear tire, as it's wider. Run the strings toward the front, just barely touching the front edges of the rear tire. With the strings extended out forward, you should have the same gap on each side of the front tire. Either way, you're just making sure that the one tire's tracking path matches the other tire's, so that they're in alignment with each other. Note that it's possible to pull on the string too much so it's actually bending around the tire, rather than just indicating the line along the edge of the tire. I have a laser-line level that I've tried to use for this, but I haven't come up with a good fool-proof way to do things. It makes for a nice perfectly-straight "string" for checking alignment, but I just haven't figured out a simple way to mount a pair of them for instant checking. Others have used sections of conduit pipe strapped to the rear tire as well. You just need something extending in a straight line to the other wheel to verify that they line up. __________________________________________________ * Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *

January 19th, 2015, 07:38 AM	#8
chrly ninjette.org member Name: Charley Location: Northern California Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Kawasaki EX300 , 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Posts: 164	I just make sure the front wheel/forks are not in a bind then align the rear axle with the swingarm bolt. I have a simple device that checks distance. __________________________________________________ IBA # 59523

January 19th, 2015, 10:23 AM	#9
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	being centered to each other is not critical. being parallel to each other is. Point in case, my viragos (both of them) the rear wheel is offset to the right of center by 1/4" or so (from the factory) BMW GS's have an offset as well IIRC __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

March 26th, 2015, 08:28 AM	#12
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	I also tie the string to the rear tire, then use hammers to tie the string up front to make it nice and taunt. I suppose tying the string to the front tire is a much much quicker way if you have 2 people doing it. I have no friends....so I was forced to do it alone =/

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[motorcyclistonline] - How To Check Front and Rear Motorcycle Wheel Alignment \| MC GA	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	January 5th, 2015 10:50 AM
Rear-wheel feels like it's kicking out of alignment	Sykes92	Riding Skills	28	March 15th, 2014 05:11 AM
Rear wheel alignment	SwagenGTI	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	23	April 7th, 2013 09:51 AM
Rear Wheel Alignment	Gorilla25	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	16	September 27th, 2011 11:38 AM
rear wheel alignment tool	quanttrom	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	11	September 3rd, 2011 10:03 PM