Rear Wheel Alignment

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twerth

New member
Joined
Mar 12, 2016
Messages
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Location
Parkville, MO
My Bike Models
2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200, 1993 Honda XR650L
I searched but didn't come up with a solution, so casting a wider net.

I have an '81 GL1100 I'm trying to put back on the road, and I noticed something strange the other day. Looking at the bike from the back, the rear wheel is offset about an inch to the left. I can't find any indication of tweaking to the frame or swing arm. Everything else seems to line up, and the wheel spins freely. Is this normal? It looks goofy.

I feel like something's got to be bent, but it's not apparent. I'd think if it was the swing arm, the tire would have clearance issues toward the front. I don't see any bent sections or popped paint on the frame or swing arm, so I'm not seeing the culprit. I haven't had the swing arm off (I don't have the tool). Pretty certain the rear wheel is fully engaged in the drive and installed correctly. Finally, it has been dropped, and there is some fork damage, but the rear of the bike appears to be fine except for the wheel. Let me know if there are other pictures I could post to help diagnosis.

The pics below uploaded in reverse order. The shots showing alignment are the last two.
 

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Looks fine to me. Except the inner fender looks a little tilted. The big final drive can change your perspective a bit.
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=202056#p202056:25xn4odo said:
slabghost » Today, 6:43 am[/url]":25xn4odo]
Looks fine to me. Except the inner fender looks a little tilted. The big final drive can change your perspective a bit.

No, it's not an illusion. Becomes more evident when the rear fender is installed. It's definitely about an inch to the left.
 
I'm with Brian! there are spacers on the axle that have to be in the correct sequence.

I'm getting a little deja vu too, so I'm pretty sure this happened to me and the spacers fixed it.
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=202080#p202080:10vi5c2b said:
chilidawg » Yesterday, 5:13 pm[/url]":10vi5c2b]
I'm with Brian! there are spacers on the axle that have to be in the correct sequence.

I'm getting a little deja vu too, so I'm pretty sure this happened to me and the spacers fixed it.

Chillidawg and Brian,
I'll have to pull it apart and make sure everything inside is where it should be. That said, looking at the pictures in my original post, it appears that the wheel is fully engaged in the drive. I don't see that there's any room to move things to the right. It seems like everything, final drive included, needs to move. Thanks.
 
Well the 1100 set up is not adjustable...one pivot pin from swingarm tightens down and the other screws in and has a lock collar ....might be that these pivot pins are reversed ...it’s been awhile since I’ve messed with 1100 setup ...maybe someone has some insight here ....but for sure the driveline has no tollerence for being off side to side .....driveshaft has to be strait cause of its one joint design ...so I’d really look into this good ...a binding driveshaft will not run smooth or last or even go far ...1200 drivelines are off 1/2” on purpose from Honda ...I’m thinking this was done to help cancel out chassis jacking to some degree ...driveshaft on a bike has many advantages but the discount is they tend to try and push the bike off line from side push on final drive gear....
 
There isn't much clearance in the swingarm for side to side error. 1/4'" to one side the tire should be rubbing something. Honestly it looks more like the top is shifted right a bit. Brake caliper would rub if it were in the wrong position. Or had the spacers wrong.
 
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