Wheel alignment options

Pros and cons of options shown and explained. (2007 Kawasaki zzr600)

[@seay_biscuit]

I can't believe I haven't found any of your videos earlier..It's the epitome of a hidden gem! Hats off to you sir for your over engineering channel and thank you for passing on the knowledge.

[@theoverengineer]

Welcome aboard!

[@markymarknj]

Thanks for an interesting and informative video! Even though English isn't your first language, you speak it well. Thank you!

[@theoverengineer]

Thank you! 😃

[@amogh1773]

Very helpful. I used to measure the number of threads and assumed that it would align my wheel. This was an eye opener.

[@penc5use3]

Since we are in the over engineering business, i would argue ikea's paper rulers have bad GR&R so they might not relatively be dead accurate. Even they were, are we sure that two paper ruler strecthed by the same amount? Go figure.. :) i love your videos. Thanks for doing them!

[@roninsurvivor4640]

First time I have heard someone discuss parallax error, good job!

[@theoverengineer]

Cheers, mate

[@myreality7817]

I could tell from the marks it was off by 2mm without the tape measure, but it is always good to take a measurement from another suitable fixed point to verify nothing is out of whack.

[@Fredmullegun]

I like all of the talk of the factory made welds not being precise and then he uses a TORN paper Ikea tape measure. This is a great video I just found that funny.

[@theoverengineer]

Dry paper has zero stretch.

[@Fredmullegun]

There was a tear that was half assed taped up on both stretches of tape measure. The lines clearly don't match up. 8:46 9:42 The stretch of the actual paper is pretty irrelevant. That compared to the amount something moves when factory welded just made me laugh a little. Anyways the point of the goal of the video was reached. Tell people all of their options. I feel chain alignment is more important than than tire though.

[@theoverengineer]

Right, geometry was the point

[@JasonWW2000]

What do you think of this technique for getting the wheel straight? First I remove the chain guard. Then I place a straight yardstick against the tire right above the chain. Then I look from the rear, down the yardstick and chain and can easily see if the tires edge is parallel with the chain. I spin the tire to make sure the chain is straight, then make adjustments to straighten the tire. Once tire is parallel to chain, I adjust both sides evenly to get proper chain slack. Good technique?

[@shanemcredmond9751]

Thanks for this useful video. I also found your video on starter motor very helpful.

[@onaroad4505]

Very detailed explanation 👍

[@DAGenao]

Great explanation. Thanks for sharing.

[@theoverengineer]

Sounds good. Where possible, millwrights and technicians place a straight edge over the SIDES of the sprockets with the chain removed (or gears) and then check for parallel. There should not be slight V-gaps between the straightedge and the sprocket or gear sides. Feeler gages are used to probe for those gaps. Sighting a straight edge to a wobbly chain has its limits, but produces reasonable results, the geometry is solid.

[@JasonWW2000]

Just a note: I do it this way because my exhaust does not allow measuring from swing arm pivot to axle center and the factory axle markings are noticeably inaccurate.

[@Jayeeyee]

Talks about weld tolerance differences on swing arm but uses a paper tape measure for alignment.

[@theoverengineer]

+Jayee That`s because paper doesn`t scratch the bike. How about that? It just so happens that it doesn`t stretch without tearing, so once taut, it isn`t inaccurate. Have anything better at home?

[@diegor3194]

how about using vinyl tape? the type used in tailoring clothing? I think you're just a cheap ass getting the free tape from ikea. How did you find the exact center of the axle and swing arm bolt? I'm pretty sure its wrong. When using such precise measurements your tape is shit and so is your dimple placement. Manufacturer marks are going to be more precise then what you are doing.

[@theoverengineer]

Vinyl stretches too much, can elongate 40%. Paper tears when stretched, so it is more precise. Nothing to do with price, baby. Centering: done on a lathe, pretty sure it is accurate to a fraction of a mm. Have you worked on a lathe? Do you even know what it is? The play on the manufactured aluminum gauge block is at least 2mm, how is that reliable? Make sure you take apart an axle and gauge block, see the fit, learn about lathes and come back when you actually have a clue.

[@diegor3194]

if you're going to worry about vinyl stretching, which by the way is not an issue unless you're pulling it with all your might which you need not do to take a measurement, then you should consider paper expansion due to humidity levels. Yes, there will be variance in measurement in paper tape that will correspond to the amount of moisture in the air. Also if you're going to be that anal why use paper tape manufactured for taking so so measurements? not for precision. They give that out for free don't expect the scales to be accurate at all.

[@theoverengineer]

Not too worried and you`re right, I should have said DRY paper. Does not address ill-fitting adjustment blocks with huge play at axle.

[@PHILIPWATSON82]

I’ve got the same bike 🏍 so this is excellent tip video 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼💯

[@theoverengineer]

Thanks for watching!

[@DerekThorstenson]

Same here! I love this bike. Thanks for the help

[@robertv6795]

Thank you!!!! Very informative

[@scottishyakr]

theory is good,but easier to use a long engineers' rule or straight angle iron...good point about parallax error-should always be aware of that.

[@twrcrew8852]

what's funny is using paper ikea measuring tapes and eyeballing them down the swingarm for initial placement is a potential MAJOR parallax error. lmao He should use a laser. They already have a tool for this anyways.

[@JasonWW2000]

Mr Engineer, I think we both agree that the rear wheel should be straight first and foremost. Then you would set the chain adjustment by moving BOTH adjusters the same amount until chain slack is correct. Then tighten axle. Then double check for wheel straightness again to make sure nothing shifted. Are we in agreement? Continued below ....

[@bretsimpson9890]

Get the chain straight = wheel straight

[@JasonWW2000]

@@bretsimpson9890 That does not work. You can have a crooked wheel and the chain will be straight due to the tolerances between the sprocket teeth and the chain links.

[@bretsimpson9890]

@@JasonWW2000 so going buy ur own theory straight wheel crooked. Sprocket excessive. Chain ware

[@bretsimpson9890]

@@JasonWW2000 I know what ur saying n I agree but unfortunately you don’t get. Sprocket adjustment on the wheel. So. A crap part. Or. Something could have it off line. Think that’s why most alignment tools use chain as reference as for. Road purpose most people wouldn’t notice. A couple of thou of. But I agree for my race bike wheel bang on. Chain bang on would be most beneficial( excuse grammar phone screen smashed )

[@tombailey6342]

The tyre won't drag it will just make its own pathway.

[@bialyabnormal]

I've got a question for you - how did you measure the length of the spindle which you have put in to the right/left swingarm and right side of the rear axle to be sure that the sides are parallel? What's the easiest way to do it?

[@theoverengineer]

Put any thin stick, dowel, welding rod through, make 2 marks on it, remove, measure between marks, add a little extra.

[@storymaker_____]

Some people says aligning your front and rear sprocket dont align the rear wheel. Can u explain why checking the sprocket alignment makes rear wheel also align

[@theoverengineer]

Manufacturers take great care that the sprocket be parallel with the longitudinal axis of the wheel and be perpendicular to the transverse axis (the axle) and that the front and rear sprockets be on the same plane.

[@Jeremy6981]

Are u missing shims from the axle on the left side? Looks like it compared to the right.

[@mtmatt8958]

Did you feel a difference in the ride with it being 2mm off alignment? I believe mine is very slightly out of alignment

[@theoverengineer]

Not perceptible on a motor vehicle. However, I'm coming from cycling where a 2mm offset is immediately obvious in lap times because it causes a "huge" power loss therefore a measurable "huge" time loss

[@mikejd35d23]

What if the hole in the washer on the chain side is not center? Your measurement will be off.

[@johnw7018]

What about a chain alignment tool?

[@theoverengineer]

John W send a link, video, image or manufacturer`s site. Let me look.

[@johnw7018]

www.revzilla.com/product/motion-pro-chain-alignment-tool

[@johnw7018]

I kind of feel silly for buying it hahaha.

[@theoverengineer]

John W Well, no worries, it is an option that works on some sprockets. Top 2 concerns: The rod is too short, keeping the tool parallel or in line with the sprocket is an issue. Good site, has useful customer reviews and ratings on the product. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnw7018]

theoverengineer Yes Great site before you purchase anything check price and analysis of equipment. there also if you check out there youtube videos you can comment and they will answer back. I felt the same about the tool.rod is about 7 inch. I have 03 ZX6r!!!

[@georgiianmafia]

when i am balansing left side and eiggt side marks on same position wheel is touching on chain do you have answer why its happening?

[@theoverengineer]

wheel is not straight in the frame if it's touching the chain

[@flightofthefatman]

Great video and explanations..thank you!

[@USLAFCTV]

is it me ,but it looks loike your just measuring the blocks with the calipers ?

[@theoverengineer]

USL FC I did at around 5:40. On some makes the 2 sides of the swing arm are not identical, thus using the edges of those blocks may not align the wheel properly. Plus there are manufacturing differences due to the shearing process at the edges of those blocks, like in this case:Cheap wrenches

[@USLAFCTV]

thank you , just watched again , good video

[@dazfowell2416]

what a long winded way of getting to the point, I fell asleep about 4 times and still didn't miss the vital peace of information that I needed. why not just say measure from the centre of the swing arm bolt to the centre of the rear wheel bolt and adjust it so its the same each side, it took 8 minutes of nonsense to get to the point

[@theoverengineer]

Daz Fowell Some don`t know what the swing arm is, not to mention its pivot bolt ... Thanks for watching, it`s all cool, just skip and fwd to the pieces you need, some people need the whole nine yard ...

[@dazfowell2416]

sorry I was being a bit ratty mate, I am all for videos helping people out on here . its not like me to dishearten or be so negative, keep up the good work, sorry bud

[@theoverengineer]

Daz Fowell No worries, it`s all good stuff. ldeas? Suggestions? Questions? Anything appreciated.

[@Artur1959]

A misaligned rear tire will not drag at all. Instead, it will dog track, which is pretty unsafe and not elegant.

[@conormcgregor1525]

Laser cat ????

[@theoverengineer]

Been looking for an inexpensive small magnetic base laser line millwrights would use for same purposes for ever ...

[@conormcgregor1525]

www.motozoom.com/profi-laser-cat-pro-laser-cat-kettinglooptester.html?GoogleShopping

[@conormcgregor1525]

Just use this and grap that other b sh FriEnd, even in my Honda manual they recommend such a tool, you'l never rode that smooth 😉😄

[@theoverengineer]

Thanks for the link, yeeeyyyyyy!!!

[@conormcgregor1525]

theoverengineer no thanks , goodluck

[@vic2095]

Draging? It's not a car!

[@michaelleach7275]

Lowrider wheel alignment

[@BennyXV]

Lmao wth