Wheel Alignment. Please Help!

Grove · Aug 3, 2011

ok so i just swapped out my tires for some new pirellis. the front and back wheels went back on with ease. Then when i had it on the rear stand to check if the chain was running smoothly and wax it up, the chain kept skipping. I messed with the chain tensioners for almost 3 hours. It just seems as though the wheel is offset to the left of the bike. This is evident by looking at the fender (i know thats not reliable but it looks noticeably off). Both spacers are in on each side. I did take the sprocket off the wheel when i was cleaning the wheel and regreased it and set it back in place. Does anyone have experience with this. from the looks of it, it seems as though i need a bigger spacer on the left and smaller one on the right to even it out. is this possible. im lost. thanks for your help beforehand

garry · Aug 3, 2011

have you got spacers mixed up?

of course you havent, what am i thinking...

bay_1472 · Aug 3, 2011

That's exactly what I was thinking. Put them on the wrong side.

Grove · Aug 3, 2011

both spacers are the same size. but during my 3 frustrating hours i did switch them and still no difference. i even took the sprockets out of the rear wheel and turned them to every different position possible on the wheel.

Nob · Aug 3, 2011

What do you mean by 'skipping'. As in over the sprockets ? Chain to slack ?

bay_1472 · Aug 3, 2011

Is the chain catching on the tyre? You haven't put a 190 on the rear have you?

Grove · Aug 3, 2011

its skipping like the teeth on the inside sprocket are hitting the side of the chain and the chain is jumping and making a clacking noise. i messed with the chain slack for hours. i tried all sorts of stuff with the tightness. If you look at the back wheel its offset to the left. when i felt around with a flathead i noticed the teeth on the bike (not tire) were rubbing the inside wall of the chain. The sprocket on the wheels were doing the opposite (rubbing the outside wall of the chain).

why would switching the spacers help if they are the same size?

Grove · Aug 3, 2011

no 180. same exact size tire. a shop set and balanced them. i know the rear fender is not a good way to judge ifthe wheel is offset but its pretty damn noticable.

Nob · Aug 3, 2011

The alignment marks are ***** on the swinger. Before I got my Gilles I measured from the start of the spindle block to the start of the slider on the swinger with a fancy ruler. Always worked but their are thousands of better ways.

Keith B · Aug 3, 2011

Try measuring from the swingarm pivot centre to the wheel spindle centre.Should be the same both sides.
You have got the adjuster blocks on the right way round?

Grove · Aug 3, 2011

thanks for the help. I will try at it again tomorrow. Please if anyone else has any advice or experience let me know. trying to get this on the road and test these new tires out.

garry · Aug 3, 2011

you,ve taken your own wheel off..

just put it back on..

simples..

is it just me?

bay_1472 · Aug 3, 2011

And all parts have gone back on in the same order they came off?

Batfastard · Aug 3, 2011

Easiest, cheapest and best way to align your rear wheel (IMHO) is a piece of string.

Pull a loop of string around the rear tyre and pull both sides tight so they touch the rear tyre; back and front under the bike. The distance from these two lines should be equal to your front rim/disks on both sides, adjust/check/adjust.

Once it is aligned like this the wheels are in line, irrespective of any frame/swingarm errors.

If you have them, a couple of straight bits of wood and a clamp make it a lot easier.

As Nob says the marks on the swing arm are useless.

Batfastard · Aug 3, 2011

dumb question.

is the carrier for the rear brake seating properly?

Batfastard · Aug 3, 2011

Oh.

While you are at it.

Swap the spindle around so the nut is on the sprocket side - makes replacing the wheel easier - fitting the brake carrier etc. (Griffalo tip) you need to swap the two aluminIum (note correct spelling) carriers over.

check the sprocket bolts are tight in the carriers - nowt to do with alignment but needs checking. (another Griffalo tip)

freestyler · Aug 4, 2011

Coud be just a flat spot on your chain makeing it skip ,The swingarm is all curves so sihgteing a striat line on it eney were is near imposabule Get the wheels Lazer elinde , then yous a Vurnia from the back of the swing arm to the spacer blocks ,and make a note of it ,of each side in mm ,and then just set it to that each tim you chainge eneything , like sproket and chains puting a new tier on it shoudent make eny diffrence unless you have undone the ajusters .

Aldo · Aug 4, 2011

each side in mm

Whits up wae inches mucker, he's in the states?

Grove · Aug 4, 2011

Yes, I'm from Brooklyn. I'm taking it to the shop. I will let you know what they say.

Batfastard · Aug 5, 2011

Depends what you mean by "skipping" I suppose.
Other causes could be - as Freestyler put, chain knackered, or the front sprocket could be on the wrong way?

let us know what the result is.

Wheel Alignment. Please Help!

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