The usually prescribed method is to support the bike lay straight edges along the rear wheel and measure the gaps at the front.
Motorcycle front and rear wheel alignment.
Correct front wheel alignment process.
Find the midpoint of the string and pass it through the rear wheel 1.
Typical numbers are 55 to 58 inches for mid size and larger street sporting motorcycles 52 to 54 inches for 250 or 500cc gran prix bikes and just under 50 inches for 125cc gp bikes.
The h d manual suggests that wheel alignment should be done using straightedges.
If there are two separate side by side tracks the rear end is misaligned.
That being said there are a couple of variations that need to be taken into account 1.
Bikes that have calipers with no locating dowels on the fork leg or axle casting must follow the following additional step put the bike in the air and set the caliper bolts finger tight and spin the front wheel and.
With the front wheel centered between the tubes measure the gap at the front and rear of the tire.
When we talk about wheel alignment we re referring to the rear wheel s position in.
Have a helper turn the front wheel so that it points straight ahead.
Of course if both tires are the same size the tubes should touch at all four spots.
The distance between the centers of rotation for the front and rear wheels that is the distance between the front and rear axle.
Most bikes are adjusted simply by loosening the axle nut and sliding the rear wheel forward or back on both sides.
Pull each end of the string to the front wheel one end on either side of the bike.
The idea is that you will wrap the string back across the trailing edge of the rear tire.
Another point that is very important that goes along with that is making sure that the alignment of your rear wheel is in proper adjustment.
Because that chain can wear out so can the sprockets if it s off.
Drive through anything that leaves a track.
The rear wheel s don t follow the front.
A misaligned rear wheel on a motorcycle is like a misaligned rear axle on a 4 wheeler.
Be careful to avoid pulling the string loose from the place where it is held on the rear tire by the tape.
Wet snow sand mud doesn t matter.
To make things more difficult the rear wheel can be offset up to 15mm relative to the front depending on model.
If the gaps are different use the rear wheel adjusters to reposition the wheel slightly.