rear tire not centered!!!! swingarm problem?

[Anonymous]

i have a 85 gs700e and i have come into a problem, my rear tire is not straight! i have adjusted it to the lines and it looks to still be off about an inch to the left side of the bike (if looking at it from the rear of the bike). i took all the plastic off and inspected the frame nothing looks to ever have been bent and straightend. the problem seems to be in the swing arm, it doesnt look straight the tire doesnt have the same amount of clearence at the front of the swingarm, it should have correct? the odd thing is the tire isnt wearing wrong and the bike ride smooth as silk, i mean i can take my hands off the bars at 60 mph and doesnt shake or shimmy. i dont think the bike has been wrecked, but i have noticed that the person i bought it from knew how to use tools, but not how to work on this bike correctly. the worst thing is that he gave me a shop manual with the bike. he over torqued everything and has caused me more problems. anyway, could he have taken off the swing arm and installed washers in the wrong places, that in turn would make the swing arm off? i dont know, nothing looks out of place, but im not a mechanic either. thank you in advance.

 

[Hap Call]

It would be obvious if the swing are were bent. Also, you would see and hear excessive wear on the chain and sprockets (which may still be the case). I would go to the manual, find the exploded drawing of the rear wheel/axle assembly, and check that the spacers were in the correct position.

To insure the wheel is straight, measure from the center of the rear axle to the center of the swingarm pivot...both sides should be exactly equal.

Hap

 

[Guest]

with some swingarms the tire doesn't look centered when it is. some swings have an offset onside for chain and hub clearance.

As mentioned one of the best ways is to run string around the front wheel to the rear and measure the distances between the string and the front wheel on both sides.

assuming of course your triples and forks are strait.....

another way is to run a string from the center of the steering stem down the center of your tank, seat and cowl and down to your tire (center hopefully)

 

[Anonymous]

I donno man, My rear swing arm is bent the chain is still strait but the bike leans to the left when you let go of the handle bars while riding. I can take a left turn without even trying

When you aligned your axle to the notches on the swing arm was the tire crooked? In my experince with a bent swing arm, when I had like.. 2 notches on the left and 6 on the right, THEN tire was straight but THEN the chain was all out of wack. If you must ride it I reccamend right it with the tire bent and the chain straight. If you ride it with the tire straight and the you can look from the sproket down the chain and see the chain is not perfectly align, DONT ride it, you'll probably lock up or bust your chain.

Im replacing my Rear swing arm in a few days here, I'll let you know what happens. You may have to remind me though.. it should get here by the 17th

Justin