Lining up the rear tire
Harley Wheels & Harley Tire IssuesDiscuss Lining up the rear tire in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Hey
I'm re-installing the rear wheel today. I took it off to polish the spokes and put a chrome sprocket cover on. I have the shop manual and will follow ...
Hey
I'm re-installing the rear wheel today. I took it off to polish the spokes and put a chrome sprocket cover on. I have the shop manual and will follow it's instructions closely. I'd be interested in any tips anyone may have on getting the wheel back on and in position. I have a belt tension tool and will measure that as well. I was thinking of backing the adjuster screws all the way out and then counting the number of turns on each as I work them back in to the point where they contact the wheel. Is that about the best method?
Yes you can count flats and threads, ugh - or you can make the nifty tool that is illustrated in your service manual-made/bent out of a piece of welding rod - that is my suggestion.
You do have a service manual and a parts book for your ride, now - don't you?
Thanks Steve
I do have the shop manual, but I don't see the nifty tool you describe. The section on re-installing the rear wheel just walks through the steps. I did it my way, but it must be off a hair. With the bike still on the lift the belt seems to be "just" touching the plastic debris deflector. Guess I'll have to back em off and try again.
In the back of your manual you will see tools. The alingnment tool Can/I made out of a clothes hanger 6 yrs ago put a rubber grommet on it.Follow alignment instructions. There are good articles in AIM and also on Headvy Duty cycles web site. gluck
Tipper
Oops
Finally got the dang thing lined up, belt tension set and put the chrome axle covers back on and the rear exhaust (must be dropped to remove axle on the FXST). Then in the middle of the night I woke in a panic. Did I or did I not make sure the spacers were returned in the same conbfiguration. The book says the outer edges should remain facing the fork with the chamfered inner edge facing the bearings. Short of dropping the exhaust and pulling the axle off again, is there any way to eyeball that?? Also, whay is it an issue? Thanks again guys. At least if I must drop it again I know where to find the tool at the back of the book.
I took a metal coat hanger and strightened it out and then bent one end at about 1/4 in 90 degree angle and slid a small rubber washer/o-ring on the other end and created my one tool for setting the rear tire distance, works great.
Zoom
03FXST - i just saw this quesiton above, dated Feb 7 - yes it is important (orientation of axle spacers) and no there is no way to eyeball it - if you not sure, pull the axle and make sure - this is an easy way to screw up your wheel bearing preload, that litle detail makes a diff
Thanks Steve.
Guess I know what I'll be doing this Saturday. Dropping the exhaust and pulling the axel again. Ah well, can't ride it in the snow -- might as well wrench it in the garage.
Lining up the rear tire 
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