Alignment tool HD-46247

[Mr B]

Hi, I've been whinging on about my Road King's bad handling for a while now. I think I ought to do the most obvious things first before I go fitting rear stabilizers etc., which is vehicle alignment. I've read on an American forum of a few cases where the alignment was way out from new, and when it was sorted the problem went.

Harley Davidson tool HD-46247 which bolts into the swinging arm axle ends....how does this work, I must be thick, I just cannot visualise how it works. Can someone explain before I go out and get these tools. I've heard of the string method, and the laser method as well. Which is best.

The club doesn't appear to have these tools for hire, does anyone have them for me to hire from them at some point soon.

I've checked the distance from the wheel rim to the swinging arm both sides and that's ok...no rim runout either. The belt runs ok in the pulley, about 1/16" from the edge, so I figure my next move is to make sure that the rear wheel is following the front wheel as it should.

My local indy, Jim, has ridden lots of different baggers, and said he's never seen one like mine, so it could well be an alignment problem, which would have been like it from new....it could have been a Friday afternoon build.

Strangely enough, I bought the bike at 2 years old with only 240 miles on it, the previous owner said he hardly rode it at all because it didn't feel right to him, so he traded it in.

Any advice on this would be helpful.

Brian.

[robbiemac]

Hi Brian, you need a manual first before touching those tools.
In the manual there are 2 methods of doing the alignment.
One of the methods does not require the use of the tools.

If you are comfortable about doing this sort of work on your bike yourself, get a manual and crack on. If not, get a shop to do it.

see your pm's

[Mr B]

Thanks Robert, I've already got the proper factory manual and one on Cd. I've read the alignment section over and over again, but cannot see how the tools work. I'm sure that if I had them in my hand, I'd see straight away. I've just read it again and can't see the obvious...how do they work to align the drive train up.

Brian.

[Limey_Dave]

Well I'v read through both alignment methods,one with tool and one with straight edges.
As the box and swing arm are attached to the rear mounting I'd guess the tool pushes in the same amount each side to centre the rear mount in the frame.The links are then adjusted to hold engine/box in the central position so the bolts just slip in to eyes.
Using the straight edges instead of the tool the links are use to pull things into line until front and back wheels are lined up.

That's the best I can come up with without poking and proding the actual bike.

[Mr B]

That makes sence Dave, it isn't a very good idea though. It brings us back to the stabilizer not being fitted at the factory....there is nothing to hold the back of the transmission in place under load.

I'm going to go through this whole alignment process from front to back and top to bottom until I get it right. I'll use the fishing line method that I've just read about. It's probably more accurate. We'll see.

Thanks Robert and Dave for your help.

Brian.