Wheel Alignment

[Gavin]

I am on my way to doing a wheel alignment. So far I have collected a few helpful bits and I think I am close to a good outcome. It's at this point that I will try and explain and illustrate the process and then look for input from the forum which I know would be invaluable (?) (well often is..)

I have used an old camera tripod and modified the top to carry 2 laser pens.

Since the rear wheel has a wider tread than the front wheel has I have tried to make allowances for that using the yellow tipped blue clamp as my marker for the front wheel.

I ran both lights at the same time. Each one touching the rear wheel twice and lighting up just beside the front wheel once at the rear of the front wheel. Using the yellow tipped blue clamp to "absorb" the difference in the tread size I believe I have a pretty accurate alignment.

Your analysis is anticipated. Thanks.

[Derby Rob]

like the idea,always used a bit of string or a plank of wood myself!

[bsa-bill]

vast improvement on my laser method I think Gavin.
I just have one laser (tripod levelling thing), set it up so it shines a set distance from the rear wheel and clears other bike bits and measure from tyre edges with a steel measure where the light strikes.
Difficult bit is getting it parallel but you can get up to about wheel centre so checks for vertical as well

[muskrat]

I used to always use string line then made laser type similar to yours but I still go back to doing it by eye (and only one of mine works).
First eye down both sides of the front tyre and adjust so you see the same amount of rear tyre either side. Now move to the back and sight down the sides of the rear tyre till the front tyre disappears. Note how much of the front of the rear tyre you can see. Adjust rear wheel till same on both sides. It took longer to type this than it does to do.
Cheers

[BSA500]

I tried the swingarm method for centering the rear wheel. It wasn't corning well and I just can't get on with the string method so a tip I got was to measure from the centre of the swingarm pivot to the centre of the wheel spindle each side. I found with mine the rear was kicked out 5 mm to the right no wonder it fell into right handers. It looked good by just looking down the wheels.
What would be nice if someone with known perfect alignment measured the distance between the spindles just to prove or disprove the method. I have not had a chance to try it in anger as I found the forks were also flexing badly which of course doesn't help(also the head bearings were shagged) but I have always had trouble with the wheels as every mot they say the wheels are a little out.

[duTch]

 I reckon make sure the axle and g/box mainshaft are parallel for starters

I used string lines too, but having a bent frame complicated things......

   

[muskrat]

http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2408.0;attach=6453;image
It's not rocket science.
BSA500, 5mm is huge as far as alignment goes. Is that the problem you had back in 2010?
Cheers

[Angus]

Having just got my front and back wheel offset fixed (see http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=4368.msg56235#msg56235). The front wheel is now dead centre in the forks and and back wheel has no offset. Does that mean I now need to do this and if I find it is out what do I do. Generally when I do anything to the back wheel I just ensure the axle is the same distance back on each side of the swing arm.

[muskrat]

G'day Angus. I would suggest to. All it really does is make both the wheels point in the same direction. It will mask most other small problems (slightly bent or twisted forks or swingarm).
Cheers

[Angus]

Thanks Muskrat, I was getting really worried that I may have to adjust some offset on the back wheel to get them inline. I will use it to make sure the thay are both pointing forward.

[BSA500]

http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2408.0;attach=6453;image
It's not rocket science.
BSA500, 5mm is huge as far as alignment goes. Is that the problem you had back in 2010?
Cheers

If I remember right that time the rear wheel bearings had collapsed.I use her to much  . Once I have fixed the fork issues(twisting forks,new bushes and steering head bearings-see my other post) I will be able to assess it better-I hope