Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi all

I am assuming that wheel alingments are done on bike yes? I was just wondering how they do it and whats involved? I've have done many W/A on cars with a W/A machine but have no idea how they do it with bike's.
I ask this because when I ride my bike straight down the street my handle bars are slightly off to the right

Could have lightly twisted forks..
Ride down the road and do a bit of hard front end braking, it may strighten em out. Alternatively have someone hold the front wheel while you turn the bars to correct the twist..
Or alternatively, loosen the forks in the triple clamps give em a bit of twist and tighten it all back up.. and while you have em loose raise the tubes in the triple clamp by about 5mm. It will quicken the steering up a little..

To align the font and rear wheels you need to put it on a stand and use a string line... alternatively, to check the rear wheel alignment, accurately measure from the ctr of the axle to the ctr of the swingarm pivot bolt (or similar) and make sure both sides are the same..
The notches on the axle are ok but not perfect..

ok I tried the braking idea no good.
Tried the bending idea still no good

But then I tried loosening the clamp bolts for the handle bars and holding the front wheel with my legs while twisting the handle bars and success
I think it's right I went for a ride down the road and it seemed to be all ok.

Thanks

Pull the front wheel off, undo the clamps and refit the forks, then refit front wheel and axle - front will now be right unless you have a bent fork.

Or do what you did...

Whoa dudes !!!!
This is the sure fire Froggy way
Loosen all but the top triple, including brake caliper mounting bolts.
Bounce up and down a few times on the brakes.
Bingo alignment at it should be!
Nip up all then tighten.

This works as fast as I am game to go on the 12 with no wobbles etc.

And bloody stringlines keep getting caught on the pipe, pegs stand etc.
If you plan on keeping your bike (who doesnt?)
Get a bit of wood as long as the bike, a couple of long up headed bolts.
You already know your wheel base and how wide the tyres are so it is pretty easy to get close before it even gets near the bike (if you are that way inclined).

Hope this helps

And if I am doing naything wrong here someone PLEASE tell me.....
Flip from one side to other and it is a one man job to get it "stringlined"
Set up for your bike, it is simple to use and works excellent.....
Finished "tool" should look like too capital F's joined at the base.
The bolts will be "shorter" in the back (once you get the right distance cut the excess off).