Rear Wheel Alignment

Gorilla25 · September 26th, 2011, 08:08 PM

There are a few ways that i read about to align the rear wheel when adjusting the chain tension. One was is the string method. I stumbled upon this at motorcycle-superstore:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...T.ac=SLIsearch

yes, its a lil pricy...but its just a thought. have any of you used or own this tool? is it accurate? your thoughts?

alex.s · September 26th, 2011, 08:11 PM

another way is to simply look down the chain... it's pretty easy to see. or you can use the guides on the swingarm.

i sure wouldn't pay $150 for a glorified laser pointer

Gorilla25 · September 26th, 2011, 08:13 PM

i read somewhere that the marks are a lil off...whats the tolerances of those marks?

ninja250 · September 26th, 2011, 08:13 PM

I use the strings and a piece of tape like Alex taught me.
Seems to be the most reliable way, unless you have boards or bars or something instead.

Don't believe your chain and sprocket, they are trying to fool you. So is a the wheel alignment tool used for aligning wheels via the chain. Tolerances are crap on those cheesy chinese ebay things.

Don't go by your swingarms marks either. they are always off.
Don't count your tensioner bolt threads either. That one won't be accurate. Not if the swingarm wasn't built straight.

String it. PITA but works perfect every time. Dirt cheap too.
How often do you align your wheel, enough to go buying alignment tools that don't work?

String. It can align the wheels on a bent frame.

Gorilla25 · September 26th, 2011, 08:17 PM

i ment the tolerances of the swingarm marks....but yes, i'm not a walking bank, so the string method is good enough for me

ninja250 · September 26th, 2011, 08:29 PM

Nobody can give you a definitive answer on the tolerances of the SA marks but Kawasaki.. maybe.
PS my reply was also generated at your OP.

Quote:

your thoughts?

alex.s · September 26th, 2011, 08:31 PM

what's more important, sprocket/chain alignment, or tire alignment?

just depends on application?

ninja250 · September 26th, 2011, 08:36 PM

It would seem equally important.

Either goes too far from alignment and stuff will start wearing much faster and making louder noises.

Same with chain tension. I'd rather leave it somewhat loose than grinding tight or near the tight side of spec.

I typically run about an inch of slack.. while in the stands.

Gorilla25 · September 26th, 2011, 08:41 PM

yes, equally important IMHO, but i'd align the tires first, knowing that the chain/sprocket should "sorta" be aligned afterwards too....anyways, I was just wondering about the different methods. when filling my tank today i checked the chain slack and it needs some tightening. I do have tape and string and will be using that method to check/re-align my rear wheel when i adjust the chain slack tomorrow

ninja250 · September 26th, 2011, 08:45 PM

I had a bunch of wheels off over here lately.
Strings are a pain to set up but you can get your wheel right on the money centered to your front wheel. Within mm or two.

If you have somebody to help you do it, it goes a bit faster.

Gorilla25 · September 26th, 2011, 08:51 PM

nice. if my brother is home when im doing it, i'll have him help me, then we can do his bike too. if not, i'll be occupied for a little longer

ninja250 · September 26th, 2011, 08:56 PM

Recheck slack when on the ground..

Alex · September 26th, 2011, 10:40 PM

The DIY thread for chain adjustment / rear wheel alignment is right here:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13833

The marks on the ninjette swingarm are off mainly as the marks aren't even on the swingarm. They are on the metal collar that goes around the end of the axle, and the collars themselves can slide forward or back a mm or two depending on when you tighten them. And, the marks aren't symmetrical, so if the collar rotates and you put it on 180 degrees from where it was before, the marks are guaranteed off.

Use string method to confirm that all is well, then count the threads on both sides of the adjuster bolts just to doublecheck that they are the same when your wheels are aligned. Every time afterwards, you now only need to check those bolts. But you can always do the string method again too confirm at any time.

/thread moved to tech section.

headshrink · September 27th, 2011, 12:08 AM

This product is redonculous!
If you have to get a laser, spend $10 for a cheapo laser pointer, and either hot-glue a magnet on it, or tape it on.

Gorilla25 · September 27th, 2011, 01:18 AM

Yes, Alex. I used that thread to learn how to do the string method and counting threads... i just wanted others opinions on that redonculous laser pointer

Ninja250: gotcha..thanks, man

Momaru · September 27th, 2011, 07:10 AM

Hmm. I've just been using the DIY tool from this post:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...40&postcount=5

Haven't had any trouble or irregular sprocket wear in over 20,000mi.

headshrink · September 27th, 2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momaru

Hmm. I've just been using the DIY tool from this post:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...40&postcount=5

Haven't had any trouble or irregular sprocket wear in over 20,000mi.

Me too, but I have been planning to build a nicer one at some point.... it's good enough the way it is, but it would be just for fun

September 26th, 2011, 08:08 PM	#1
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	Rear Wheel Alignment There are a few ways that i read about to align the rear wheel when adjusting the chain tension. One was is the string method. I stumbled upon this at motorcycle-superstore: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...T.ac=SLIsearch yes, its a lil pricy...but its just a thought. have any of you used or own this tool? is it accurate? your thoughts?

September 26th, 2011, 08:11 PM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	another way is to simply look down the chain... it's pretty easy to see. or you can use the guides on the swingarm. i sure wouldn't pay $150 for a glorified laser pointer __________________________________________________

September 26th, 2011, 08:13 PM	#4
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	I use the strings and a piece of tape like Alex taught me. Seems to be the most reliable way, unless you have boards or bars or something instead. Don't believe your chain and sprocket, they are trying to fool you. So is a the wheel alignment tool used for aligning wheels via the chain. Tolerances are crap on those cheesy chinese ebay things. Don't go by your swingarms marks either. they are always off. Don't count your tensioner bolt threads either. That one won't be accurate. Not if the swingarm wasn't built straight. String it. PITA but works perfect every time. Dirt cheap too. How often do you align your wheel, enough to go buying alignment tools that don't work? String. It can align the wheels on a bent frame. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

September 26th, 2011, 08:31 PM	#7
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	what's more important, sprocket/chain alignment, or tire alignment? just depends on application? __________________________________________________

September 26th, 2011, 08:36 PM	#8
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	It would seem equally important. Either goes too far from alignment and stuff will start wearing much faster and making louder noises. Same with chain tension. I'd rather leave it somewhat loose than grinding tight or near the tight side of spec. I typically run about an inch of slack.. while in the stands. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

September 26th, 2011, 08:17 PM	#5
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	i ment the tolerances of the swingarm marks....but yes, i'm not a walking bank, so the string method is good enough for me

September 26th, 2011, 08:41 PM	#9
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	yes, equally important IMHO, but i'd align the tires first, knowing that the chain/sprocket should "sorta" be aligned afterwards too....anyways, I was just wondering about the different methods. when filling my tank today i checked the chain slack and it needs some tightening. I do have tape and string and will be using that method to check/re-align my rear wheel when i adjust the chain slack tomorrow

September 26th, 2011, 08:45 PM	#10
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	I had a bunch of wheels off over here lately. Strings are a pain to set up but you can get your wheel right on the money centered to your front wheel. Within mm or two. If you have somebody to help you do it, it goes a bit faster. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

September 26th, 2011, 08:51 PM	#11
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	nice. if my brother is home when im doing it, i'll have him help me, then we can do his bike too. if not, i'll be occupied for a little longer

September 26th, 2011, 08:56 PM	#12
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	Recheck slack when on the ground.. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

September 26th, 2011, 10:40 PM	#13
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	The DIY thread for chain adjustment / rear wheel alignment is right here: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13833 The marks on the ninjette swingarm are off mainly as the marks aren't even on the swingarm. They are on the metal collar that goes around the end of the axle, and the collars themselves can slide forward or back a mm or two depending on when you tighten them. And, the marks aren't symmetrical, so if the collar rotates and you put it on 180 degrees from where it was before, the marks are guaranteed off. Use string method to confirm that all is well, then count the threads on both sides of the adjuster bolts just to doublecheck that they are the same when your wheels are aligned. Every time afterwards, you now only need to check those bolts. But you can always do the string method again too confirm at any time. /thread moved to tech section. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 27th, 2011, 12:08 AM	#14
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	This product is redonculous! If you have to get a laser, spend $10 for a cheapo laser pointer, and either hot-glue a magnet on it, or tape it on. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

September 27th, 2011, 01:18 AM	#15
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	Yes, Alex. I used that thread to learn how to do the string method and counting threads... i just wanted others opinions on that redonculous laser pointer Ninja250: gotcha..thanks, man

September 27th, 2011, 07:10 AM	#16
Momaru ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: Roanoke, VA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.	Hmm. I've just been using the DIY tool from this post: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...40&postcount=5 Haven't had any trouble or irregular sprocket wear in over 20,000mi. __________________________________________________ Proud member of the Blue Army

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