Wheel alignment problem. - SV650.org

03-05-09, 07:22 PM

Was tightning the chain on my SV650 SK5 yesterday, and found difficulty in aligning the wheel. Took it to a mechanic, who says that the markers on the side of the wheel are a bit bent and thus not helpful during the alignment. They keep tilting while tightning the nut. Are these things called chain adjusters? If not then where can I get these plates with the markers? Any help appreciated. Thanks

Sid Squid · 03-05-09, 07:33 PM

Remove the plates and hammer them flat - then try again.

03-05-09, 10:37 PM

Forget using the markers on the swing arm. They are indication only and nowhere near accurate. You need 2 straight edges to do the job properly. Search the forum on wheel alignment.

04-05-09, 07:27 PM

Without wanting to sound like I'm argueing with Rocket, and most of the .org to be honest, I personally think the markers are accurate enough.

I'm not saying they're perfect, but should result in the rear wheel being straight enough , and I can't see a rider noticing any irregularities.

04-05-09, 07:46 PM

No problem here Sam. One should always do what one feels is right. I just happen to have the kit and it's not a big job when well rehearsed. As Roy Walker would say "It's good but it's not right"

timwilky · 04-05-09, 07:58 PM

I use two pieces of box section that I fasten either side of the back wheel, means my alignment is always perfect

johnnyrod · 05-05-09, 01:54 PM

I've only ever had trouble with the markers on one Chinese bike, the rest have been clsoe enough. One way to check though is to ride along at 30mph or so, shut the throttle and let go of the bars. If the back wheel is pointing to one side, it'll go that way consistently, e.g. if it goes to the right, you need to tighten the left hand adjuster by one turn (or slacken the right one obviously) and try again.

05-05-09, 11:37 PM

There's also the string alignment method which I'm trying to get my head around at the moment...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxK-OQ--fg

06-05-09, 11:56 AM

WOuldnt harm to take the adjusters fomr out of the swingarm and just clean them and grease them a bit I dont think. It might be sticking a bit if there is alot of crap in there?

I dunno

johnnyrod · 08-05-09, 01:49 PM

Never believed in the string method. ACS, it's not that they're stuck, they're just not quite in the right place.

03-05-09, 07:22 PM	#1
smrgup Guest Posts: n/a	Wheel alignment problem. Was tightning the chain on my SV650 SK5 yesterday, and found difficulty in aligning the wheel. Took it to a mechanic, who says that the markers on the side of the wheel are a bit bent and thus not helpful during the alignment. They keep tilting while tightning the nut. Are these things called chain adjusters? If not then where can I get these plates with the markers? Any help appreciated. Thanks Last edited by Sid Squid; 03-05-09 at 07:32 PM.

03-05-09, 07:33 PM	#2
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Re: Wheel alignment problem. Remove the plates and hammer them flat - then try again. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

03-05-09, 10:37 PM	#3
Rocket Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Wheel alignment problem. Forget using the markers on the swing arm. They are indication only and nowhere near accurate. You need 2 straight edges to do the job properly. Search the forum on wheel alignment.

04-05-09, 07:27 PM	#4
sam anon Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Wheel alignment problem. Without wanting to sound like I'm argueing with Rocket, and most of the .org to be honest, I personally think the markers are accurate enough. I'm not saying they're perfect, but should result in the rear wheel being straight enough , and I can't see a rider noticing any irregularities.

04-05-09, 07:46 PM	#5
Rocket Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Wheel alignment problem. No problem here Sam. One should always do what one feels is right. I just happen to have the kit and it's not a big job when well rehearsed. As Roy Walker would say "It's good but it's not right"

04-05-09, 07:58 PM	#6
timwilky Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Not in Yorkshire. (Thank God) Posts: 4,116	Re: Wheel alignment problem. I use two pieces of box section that I fasten either side of the back wheel, means my alignment is always perfect __________________ Not Grumpy, opinionated.

05-05-09, 01:54 PM	#7
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,122	Re: Wheel alignment problem. I've only ever had trouble with the markers on one Chinese bike, the rest have been clsoe enough. One way to check though is to ride along at 30mph or so, shut the throttle and let go of the bars. If the back wheel is pointing to one side, it'll go that way consistently, e.g. if it goes to the right, you need to tighten the left hand adjuster by one turn (or slacken the right one obviously) and try again.

05-05-09, 11:37 PM	#8
skyline Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Wheel alignment problem. There's also the string alignment method which I'm trying to get my head around at the moment... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxK-OQ--fg

06-05-09, 11:56 AM	#9
Alpinestarhero Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Wheel alignment problem. WOuldnt harm to take the adjusters fomr out of the swingarm and just clean them and grease them a bit I dont think. It might be sticking a bit if there is alot of crap in there? I dunno

08-05-09, 01:49 PM	#10
johnnyrod Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Doncaster, oop norf Posts: 2,122	Re: Wheel alignment problem. Never believed in the string method. ACS, it's not that they're stuck, they're just not quite in the right place.

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