How To Check Your Wheel Alignment | MC Garage
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- If your bike’s wheels aren’t properly aligned you might experience handling issues, uneven tire and drivetrain wear, and other problems. In this video from the MC Garage we'll show you several ways to verify that your wheels are tracking true, plus check to see if those reference marks on your swingarm are accurate or not.
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Is your bike handling strangely? Tires wearing out asymmetrically? Chain making funny sounds? Believe it or not, a serious misalignment of the front and rear wheels can be the cause of all these maladies.
When we talk about wheel alignment, we're referring to the rear wheel's position in the swingarm, and thus its alignment with the frame and the front wheel. The front wheel isn't adjustable, but the rear wheel can shift in the dropouts. That's key for chain-slack adjustment, but it also means the wheel can be out of whack.
Now, you’re probably thinking that you’ve already checked the alignment marks on the swingarm so the wheels must be aligned. Not so fast. While these alignment marks are better than they used to be, there’s no guarantee they’re right, considering the inherent variations in manufacturing and the often prodigious amount of slop in the axle blocks.
But there is an easy way to check alignment that needs no special tools beyond a rear stand-assuming your bike doesn’t have a center stand-a wrench, and a length of lightweight rope.
Gather Necessary Items And Place Your Bike On A Stand
To adjust your wheel alignment, you’re first going to need to get your bike vertical. You can either accomplish this with a wheel chock, center stand, or a rear stand, as long as your bike stays straight. No, your buddy sitting on the bike won’t work. You’ll also need some lightweight rope and a wrench to adjust your axle blocks.
Wrap The Rope Around The Front Tire
Start by wrapping the center of the length of rope around the front of the tire as shown. You want it placed so the lengths of rope heading rearward are as high as they can be without hitting the brake discs or bodywork.
Pull The String Taut
Pull the loose ends of the rope toward the rear wheel, trying to keep the line taut enough that it won't slip down the front tire. A piece of duct tape will hold the string onto the front tire if you're having trouble.
Align The Front Wheel
Draw the free ends of the string back until they just touch the tread at the front of the rear wheel. From this angle, look at the front wheel again. There should be a small gap between the rope and the trailing edge of the front tire; that gap should be equal on both sides. Sight down the bike from one side then the other. It will be obvious when the front tire is not pointing straight. Turn the handlebars until it is.
Check The Alignment Of The Rear Wheel
With the front wheel aligned, once again bring the rope to the leading edge of the rear tire. Draw the ends inward until the rope just touches the leading edge. Be careful that you don't pull it so far that the rope bends. Again, if you look at a low angle, it's very obvious.
Measure The Gap At The Rear Wheel
Now look at the gap from the rope to the trailing-edge tread. It should be the same left and right. If the gaps are different, the rear wheel is not tracking the front. If the rope touches the rear of the tire before the front, it's way out of whack.
Determine Which Side Needs Adjusting
If the wheel is perfectly aligned, this gap will be the same on both sides. If the gap is larger on the left and smaller on the right, the rear wheel is cocked in the swingarm with the front of the tire to the left of center. If the larger gap is on the right, the tire is "facing" slightly right.
Adjust The Rear Wheel In The Axle Block
If you’re smart, you’ll mark the axle blocks when the wheel is properly aligned for quick reference later. Or you can maintain alignment by turning the adjusters the exact same amount each time you set the chain.
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Ari is an exceptional presenter and just about the best I've seen in this sport. He is very well-spoken in terms of how he gets the words out and accross to the viewer. His presence is excellent. Very well done brother. Motorcyclist Magazine is fortunate to have him, although they should enjoy it while it lasts because I think he will soon be snapped up by a company willing to pay him more than MCM ever could. This guy is a huge talent regardless. Kudos...and best of luck.
Agreed!
you are so right
maxrusch1 Totally agree. Ari is exceptional. He is really good and gets to the point straight away.
Si es que esa intro es mucho bisnes xDD
Ditto
I've been meaning to get a chain alignment tool for 20 odd years now. If I can remember I'll order one with my next set of tires. (Been saying that for 20 years as well).
blipco5 here, get it now.
Look at this on eBay www.ebay.com/itm/331238847677
Bernardo...Thanks, I just ordered it.
blipco5 iam happy that you ordered ! You 20 year old dream 🤩
This guy has a natural, friendly no-nonsense approach that I like - much appreciated.
it's doesn't matter how complicated or trivial your vid is, I always love it Ari. haha... I just love the way you guys make this mc garage video. even if it's just a simple information, I always enjoyed watching it. keep it up!
excellent as always. didn't know that tool, I'll buy it no doubt!! thank you for another great video
Majes en Moto Justo voy a comprar mi primera moto y estoy que me veo todos los videos de MC Garage y de tu canal como adicto. MC Garage para lo técnico y tu canal para aprender todo lo que puede haber en la calle. Saludos!
Genial el majes!!!
Neatly explained - as ever. Thank you. I get fed up people taking 20mins to explain a 1 minute topic!
Thanks Ari, love the vids you do. It's because of you that I mount and balance my own tires which has saved me hundreds in the last 2 years and the mere thought of it has amazed people and it boggles there mind that at 140 mph it's smooth as can be. Keep up the great work!
That's great to hear Frank. Cultivating self sufficiency and knowledge is what this show is all about, so getting feedback like that is really encouraging. Ride safe.
What I'd like to know - what happens if your wheels are out of alignment? What problems can it cause?
Thanks, great video!
Did you ever find this answer??
Ari, you're the only reason i watch this. You just make it so simple and fun to watch. Looking forward to more vids :)
Nice info, thanks for the share. I have a feeling not many mechanics from where I'm from actually know this, or bother to check this every time the wheel is removed, either for tire change, or chain/sprocket change. From now on I'll be sure to have this checked!
TheSighBored most won't even do wheel balancing
Great info. Love the videos, they are short, concise and easy to learn from. I've been riding over 40 years and still learning some cool new stuff about motorcycle care and maintenance. Thanks MC Garage, Great Job.
Dude your videos are absolutely perfect not too short not to long technical but not too technical absolutely hit the nail on the head every time keep up the tremendous work
We're glad you like our recipe.
A great series of videos. I have been riding for many many years but these videos are still a excellent source of new information, tips and techniques.
Not only these videos are so good but sometimes they just crack me up like in this case: "It's also worth mentioning that if your bike has a single sided swing arm or drive shaft, you didn't need to watch this video" 😂😂😂 kudos to Ari
You've got great confidence. great presenter. watching all your videos is fun. one can never get bored of them and they are useful and to the point. thumbs up.
I was always a bit nervous of having a go at things re my bike but this guy gives me confidence! Thanks a lot.
Re tuning in, I think i'd still be watching your videos even if I got rid of my bike, I think this channel deserves at least as much support as that
Thanks, that's quite the approval. Hopefully you never get rid of your bike though ;)
Straight to the point. Best video on alignment I've seen tonight.
This was really helpful. I had my tires replaced somewhere and adjusted the chain tension, but in turn it left my bike leaning to the left when I let off the throttle with hands off the clipons. Will definitely do a wheel alignment after this.
Elegant, succinct, no nonsense description, best I've seen on this
I think I watch these vids now more for how great the production is than the actual information lol. Good job Ari👍🏿
4th way.
measure the distance between the wheel's rim lip and the swingarm inside or outside .
both sides.
simple.
regards.
nicholas d.
edit: love your videos.
keep it up!!!
5th way: Take it to the shop.
Not all swingarms are alike; mine has a different distance between each side!
does not realy work with my bike xD swingarm does not look the same on both sides xD rip ?
Pretty much every bike will have difference in the two sides
Today I needed this video and I was like: "MC Garage is not going to do
"Wheel Alignment" video soon, so I'm just gonna try by myself" Ha! I'm watching this
video after a lot of back pain trying to do the 3rd one few hours ago,
it took me 3h to give up because it wasn't changing the gap difference
on the front wheel, it's really stressful, don't do it.
Alberto Harres Rocha I tried it once - never again! It obviously does work but it's so much hassle.
Dude, you're doing a fabulous job! Thanks for all the great tips! I really enjoy your videos, they are very helpful.
Glad you like them William. Thanks for watching.
Where can I buy that shirt at?
scotch iron
nice videos, well explained, good language and NO loud music, thanks
Honestly, the best descriptive video I've ever watched on TH-cam. Well done! (Nikos. Greece)
Neither of the 2 methods will work on either of my bikes (Roadliner and Roadmaster) and the 3rd is just unpractical.
Having said that I am sure it helps on lot of people.
Keep up the good work
rsm8
Thank You very much. Every time i tightened the nut on my ninja 650 the axle block moved backwards and the lines didnt match. Using the measuring tape worked perfect. I got worried for a while, kept redoing it. Great video.
Great commercial for Motion Pro tools. Wish I had this chain alignment tool 30 years ago!
These MC Garage videos are awesome! Aside from uneven tire wear, what else is a good indication of misaligned wheel? My bike had a tendency to lean left if I let go of the handlebar. The factory marks were the same on both sides but the distance b/w the swing arm pivot and rear axle was off by 1.2 cm. After correcting the bikes rides straight with no pressure on the handle bar. If you do try this, use a empty car park that you know has a straight surface to check. Also, this may not apply to every bike out there.
I think it's possible that front wheel can be out of alignment. If you cop a whack on the front, the forks can develop a twist in the headset, or if the forks are re-assembled with some mis-alignment in the head
This would happen all the time in motocross. If you crash, it would twist the forks in the triple tree, therefore putting the front wheel out of alignment
i do not have a bike😅 but i still wait for your uploads😉
When you tighten the axle the wheel will go where it wants to go. If you are having to use the chain tension bolts to correct it you will be stressing other components like spacers and swing arm surface.
Pure nonsense
Just changed front sprocket on new RE Int 650. I measured the the amount of adjustment screw sticking out was the same. Felt Ok, had to finish in the dark and couldn't see any markings on swing arm. Thanks for the tips, will double check in the morning.
LOL
So now you tell me I don't need to watch this if I have a single swing arm or a shaft drive.
Thanks for these informative videos; even though I can never get back those 3 minutes and 30 seconds of information that I didn't require ;)
been riding my qmb139 stunt scooter for 2 years now and im just starting to get some slop in my rear tire, changed motor mount bushigs, case bushings, got a new axle with thicker splines but still slop. this video is for sure gonna help me fix this, the darn left side of my tire is bald and the right side still has the little factory mold nipples on it. after 2 damn years and 5k miles
then at the end you say i didnt need to watch this video being shaft driven.....why is half my damn tire 10 years old and the other half is 2 XD back to square one
Great vid, but my 4 bikes are all shaft drive! I suspect my next bike will have a chain, so this is very informative! Ride safe.
I got a shaft drive but I still enjoy these videos.
Lerning something new every day! Thank you!
Very impressed with this video.
exactly what I needed.. perfect timing!!
Another quality video guys. Well done.
the LaserVAT is also a wonderful, easy and fast tool for alignment... i love it its my favourite and second fav is the motionpro tool you showed in the vid
I broke down and finally bought that Motion Pro tool. GOOD MOVE: I found that the marks were off-line by ONE FULL MARK. Because of this, I discovered that early Bandit 1200's came out of the factory with the sprockets 3mm out-of- plane.. I altered two rear wheel spacers 3mm and now my chains last twice as long.
Great tips and a very cool motionpro tool. I appreciate the call out to those of us with shaft drive. Deep down we miss chain adjustments and wheel alignment activities. ;-)
Thanks a lot Brother. The first method helped me to resolve the issue of handlebar vibe and restricted movement on my Interceptor 650.👍🤘✊🏼
Been doing tape measure swing arm pivot to axle for a couple years. Easiest and cheapest way
That's what I was thinking...
Not many ppl can hold a tape measure perfectly while paying attention to one end of the tape
Can you please do a video about spark plugs?
Thank you. Great work!
Thank you! I've been messing around with string since 1983 and it's never been reliable; my swing arm bolt is visible and there's nothing in the way - can't believe it never occurred to me to measure them!
Very clear and helpful tips as usual 👌
Great tips. thanks MC Garage! Now this is a good piece of info!
Thank you for this video. Always helpful.
Man, I love this guy. Spot on, crisp, no bull shit, yet a short video... Ari, style.. Would love to know do injector cleaners and octane boosters as such, are they really what they claim to be. And also, a little technical video especially for the KTM 390 engine and parts, how well they're put together, how well they handle track abuse, just a separate video regarding the 390 as a whole would be super super useful. Keep revving mate!
tumbs up man keep it up thanks for all knowledge you share with us. making referance to all your videos.
Great video it just seems so simple when you put it like that
Brilliant video the tape measure method has done it for me
I have a single sided swing arm. Watching this video game me appreciation for what some of you have to deal with. 😂
Great video, thank you!!
With the popularity of restoring old mikes today it is important to mention checking the swingarm bushing for wear. That can't be adjusted out and needs to be replaced if there is wear.
Thanks a lot Ari. I really enjoy your work.
YOU ARE GREAT SIR ..... YOU TEACH EVERYTHING IN VERY SIMPLE MANNER , AND IT IS EASY TO APPLY AT HOME ... THANK YOU SIR ...... SIR MAKE A VIDEO ON HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR BIKE PROPERLY.....PLEASE....
I've learned straight edge method for sprocket alignment, but for a motorcycle it's quite tough.
Thanks Ari Henning. Really Helpful Video! :) :D
Single side swing arm FTW (07 Speed Triple)...balancing the rear wheel, have to take it to the shop ;( lol
Great video as always!
wow i didn't know that thing i always thought wheel alignment thing is only on four wheels ty u r great
Great presentation
Thanks bud the tape measure tip is excellent 💯
Just found this channel, good stuff.
I love these guys
A vernier caliper also works well too :).
Had to look, if anyone else thought so...
Nice one, @MyRandomLife247 😁
Браво винаги много добри съвети от това момче.
thanks man i used the tape measure method. you probably just saved me closer to $200 i have a 2016 kawasaki vulcan s the cruiser version of the z650 you got in the video :D
Nice video Sir
Love how at the end you tell who doesn't need to lol
great video. i used that little tool it worked. very easy any one can use.
have had great success with two 2"x4"s, and two wide adjustable wood clamps. shade tree style
Nice topic man! Love it
Great video, do you think you can do one on how to swap out brake and clutch levers with new ones???
great video...can you briefly explain why owners of bikes with shaft drive don't need to watch this video? I don't regret watching it but I do have a BMW R1200GS, hence the question...cheers
The reason for that is that that kind of stuff is already tuned from the factory. A drive shaft has no play in it like a belt or a chain, so it will never come out of alignment (until you wreck it, but then you have much bigger issues than some pesky alignment). With a chain bike, the mechanism will have to allow for some movement as the chain or belt stretch out after use. With this, comes the chance for the wheel to come out of alignment with the body.
Except if you do the song and dance to check your alignment and find that it's off there is nothing you can do to fix it (on a bike with a drive shaft). There is no possibility for adjustment on those bikes.
thank Alex...I have only had this GS for two years now and I am not too familiar with the maintenance that is required to drive safely...I did send it to BMW a few thousand KM ago so I hope the were professionals and checked for everything that is supposed to be checked.
As long as you don't do major modifications to your bike and take it in for regular maintenance intervals to the dealership, you certainly have nothing to worry about. As you said they are professionals. The only thing I would worry about is if you take it into a budget mechanic, some shady stuff in that industry.
Why to feel smug, of course.
Great info thanks a lot, very useful.
You can use a single string or known straight line down the center of your tires provided they have a center grove. When I started doing this all of them did. Also instead of buying the tool you can use a square especially if you have a belt drive.
will it worked
Use a stringline for the Straight Edge front to back both sides of the tire measuring side of the front tyre straight edge
Could you do a video on tyres used in off roading bikes. Bikers who go for the Leh Laddakh circuit in India would benefit a lot with knowledge on that tech. Hope to see the video soon. Thank you.
You said at the end that if our motorcycles have a single sided swing arm or a shaft drive that we didn't need to watch the video. Jokes on you, I don't even have a motorcycle.
I like the tool that goes on the rear sprocket
Ta very much for these videos, very helpful and clear. I'm new to bikes, just got my first one and I rode it from, where I bought it, quite far so I had to adjust the chain, I gave it a go but there's no centre stand or paddock stand so had to just keep it as upright as best I could using wood under the side stand =P
Nice tips 👍🏻👍🏻
My bikes have single sided swing arms, but I enjoyed the video!
I did it by measuring how much the adjusters stick out from the nuts.
They should be quite precise (in lenght) but i'll check with the other methods.
Hi very useful info. Thanks a lot.
I dont really get why those methods should have better accuracy than the tip marks made exactly to check allignment. I see a lot of room for human errors.
Did you not watch the video?
Or a 4th. Test ride and adjust depending how much the bike leans over when doing no hands
thanks!! your videos really helps!!
nice tricks sir
I like this Channel !
Thanks Sir.
Love your videos guys you planning on doing a review or comparison of that z650 ???
Thank you I just order that motion pro. MY bike the way it is s about the only other option is doing line of site and trying a tape measure.
Does this apply to belt-driven bikes as well?
Can shaft driven bikes also go out of alignment, or was this video's methods of checking and fixing alignment just not applicable to shaft driven bikes?
really helpful, thanks a lot