Any ideas on making an axle alignment tool?

[darthmoto]

On the 696, I dont think I can trust the axle alignment marks alone to get a a good alignment. Im thinking of making an axle alignment tool with something that sticks out of the rear axle, and over the swingarm bolt connected by a cable that I can tighten to get a reading off of. Equal out both sides, and presto.. axle aligned. But it's got to be dead on, or at least consistent enough when I switch sides. Anyone have any good homebrew alignment methods?

[scott_araujo]

There are two schools of thought on alignment: one is to align the rear wheel with the frame and front wheel, the other is to align the rear wheel to the chain and drivetrain.  Neither requires much special tooling.  If the bike is in reasonably good shape they should be about the same when you're done.

If you want to align the wheel to the frame get a nice long, straight board.  Get the bike on a rear stand and turn the bars to center.  Hold the board snugly against one side of the rear tire at two points of contact and measure from the front wheel to the board.  Now check the other side.  If the measurements aren't the same adjust accordingly.

Adjusting the rear wheel to the drivetrain is easier and what I usually do.  Lay a straight edge along the rear sprocket and see if it follow the chain.  A 1 foot ruler works just fine.  If it veers away from the chain in one direction or another adjust accordingly.

It should be noted that the second method is preferred if you have an aluminum rear sprocket.  A misaligned chain will eat an aluminum rear sprocket very quickly.

Scott

[Howie]

Another way, if you want it aligned with the frame is with a tape measure.  Measure from the center of the swing arm pivot to the center of the axle on each side.

[darthmoto]

Simple enough. 

I like the straight-edge-on-the-sprocket idea. Perhaps the board clamped to the rear tire to x-ref..

[madalf71]

+1 Howie
Swing arm pivot to rear axle for super accuracy.
Cheers.
Madalf.

[darthmoto]

Yes, swingarm pivot to rear axle pivot was what I was describing in my first post. But Im wondering if anyone has fabbed a tool to do this rather than buy one?

[Popeye the Sailor]

Yes, swingarm pivot to rear axle pivot was what I was describing in my first post. But Im wondering if anyone has fabbed a tool to do this rather than buy one?

I've never felt inclined to make my own tape measure. YMMV.

[darthmoto]

 

I understand what measuring is and what you use to do it.

Simply put, I want to make this:


But not spend $150 bux on it.

Something accurate.

[madalf71]

Where abouts did you see that?

[monsta]

yep I made something similar about 10/15 years ago...   

I got 2 - 6"or 8" x 1/2" bolts (cant remember length off hand) and turned the head in a lathe so it was pointed (about 90deg)
then I drilled a hole in the threaded end and filed it square tho suit a length of key-steel.
I then put the nut on the bolt and screwed ot passed the square hole then put the key-steel through and lock it when the nut is screwed back on it. cost--  2 bolts--  but use of a lathe is needed.   I still use it... works well.
I can post pics if ya want, but its late here and I cant be bothered... 

[corey]

On the 696, I dont think I can trust the axle alignment marks alone to get a a good alignment.

any particular reason why you don't trust the alignment marks?

[Howie]

If you measure, you will often find the marks are off a wee bit.  This is true of most chain driven bikes, not just Ducatis.  Enough to cause a problem?  Probably not, but, IMO, if you can be more accurate for minimum effort, why not.

[scott_araujo]

Plus those steel alignment plates are not an exact fit and twist in opposite directions when you tighten the axle.

Howie, are some swingarms offset to one side?  I could swear that from behind some bikes one side of the swingarm seems to sit farther out than the other.  I guess this is to accomodate chains and sprockets, etc. but it's the reason I don't measure from axle to swingarm pivot.  If one side is further out than the other then the measurements would not be the same.

Scott

[darthmoto]

Where abouts did you see that?

Its made by Muzzys, http://www.muzzys.com/catalog/tools.html

Plus those steel alignment plates are not an exact fit and twist in opposite directions when you tighten the axle.

Howie, are some swingarms offset to one side?  I could swear that from behind some bikes one side of the swingarm seems to sit farther out than the other.  I guess this is to accomodate chains and sprockets, etc. but it's the reason I don't measure from axle to swingarm pivot.  If one side is further out than the other then the measurements would not be the same.

Scott

Yeah, I was thinking about this too..


It seems the straight edge on sprocket + the string/board method would probably yield accurate(enough) results.. I was just wondering if anyone had built a tool that somewhat resembles a vernier caliper that will mount centered and 90o on the rear axle, to get a reading that is truly accurate.

On another board, I found someone is getting very good results using something similar to Scott's board method.. It involves fishing line  http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/sportryderswheelalignmentmethod.shtml

[scott_araujo]

Yeah, fishing line/or string works very well and is easier to handle than a board.  Forgot about that.

Accurate enough is relative and subjective.  Each method has it's pros and cons.

Scott