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Sprocket alignment
- Copbike1000
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I then realized that I have this simple Black & Decker laser that I bought to hang vertical blinds. I think I paid less than $20.00 for the laser.
Long story short, I placed the magnetic laser on the rear sprocket and aligned the two sprockets, spot-on. It worked so well that I found myself going through the process a few times to confirm alignment. i' m sold on the laser guided alignment. Hope this comes in handy for anyone else tackling an alignment of the chain.
1994 Kawasaki KZ1000P, Rancho Cordova, Ca
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598384...-project-bike#674472
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- davido
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www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/594313-csr1000-project-build
CB550 (1978)
CB500/4 (1972)*
KZ1000CSR (1981)
XT 600E (1999)
TDM900 (2003)
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- Patton
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Although it may at first seem counter-intuitive, many new motorcycles, especially those with fat rear tires, are designed with the rear tire center-line being offset from the front tire center-line.
When upright and rolling straight ahead, the center-line of the rear tire does not exactly match the center-line of the front tire.
The tire center-lines are parallel, but don't overlap.
Correct tire alignment requires both tire center-lines being parallel when the bike is rolling upright and straight forward. The wheels are in parallel planes. But not necessarily in the same parallel plane.
Correct sprocket alignment requires both sprockets being in the same parallel plane (regardless of the bike's position).
Being in the same parallel plane assures that the chain has a straight pull between the sprockets, irrespective of the bike's orientation.
Forcing the rear wheel into the same parallel plane as the front wheel in order to achieve matching tire center-lines may create mis-aligned sprockets.
See following links for more info:
www.motorcyclemetal.com/downloads/Harley...%20Made%20Simple.pdf
xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/archive/index.php/t-1600964.html
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- TexasKZ
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www.zrxoa.org/forums/showthread.php?2755...ghlight=Wheel+offset
However, at least one rider in that thread claims to be able to feel the effect of the offset when cornering hard.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
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- Copbike1000
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Thank you ALL for the great feedback and invaluable information. I keep telling my wife that this forum is my "facebook".
1994 Kawasaki KZ1000P, Rancho Cordova, Ca
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598384...-project-bike#674472
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- TexasKZ
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1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
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- davido
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www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/594313-csr1000-project-build
CB550 (1978)
CB500/4 (1972)*
KZ1000CSR (1981)
XT 600E (1999)
TDM900 (2003)
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- scubaanders
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It will come in handy when I start with my project after the season is to it's end when I will try to fit a Zephyr 750 swingarn and a ZXR 400 wheel to my Gpz750 -82
Gpz750R1 1982
Gpz750A1 1983
Gpz1100A2 1984
FZ750 1985
Gpz900R -91
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- SWest
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- 10 22 2014
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Steve
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- davido
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swest wrote: I don't like it. I would do a off set sprocket like the GOOD builds do here.
Steve
Me too. Im shocked to hear that BMW do it (and not at all surprised that Harley do it.) Having any manufacturer do it,youve got to think that theyve spent a lot of time and money on the geometry of the bike as a whole and setting it up safely and properly. Thats very different to
sticking an odd wheel in the back of your bike and shoving it over to the side to get the chain line to run right.
P.S. While Im at it,whats your plan for the front end are you changing that as well? What rear tyre are you trying to fit? I seem to remember from an earlier post you mentioned a 180,or was that someone else?
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/594313-csr1000-project-build
CB550 (1978)
CB500/4 (1972)*
KZ1000CSR (1981)
XT 600E (1999)
TDM900 (2003)
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- Patton
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Also, there's a limit to the amount of offset that can be safely used without a nose added to the sprocket to support its port side.
The nose fits into a bearing support plate that replaces the stock sprocket cover.
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/219130-offset...l=component&type=raw
www.dgchassis.net/outer%20bearing%20supp...bearing-support.aspx
To help avoid the issues of chain clearance and prospective need for a support plate, some folks may prefer to reposition the rear wheel in order to align the rear sprocket with the stock counter-shaft sprocket.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- Copbike1000
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So, I think I will wait until I have mounted the rear tire before wasting any more time playing around with alignment. Once I have the tire mounted, I will then dial in the alignment.
I agree with you guys. I do NOT like the idea of the offset wheels. Hard to believe that the manufacturers would go through so much research and development AND tons of money invested in R/D to produce a motorcycle with offset wheels. I wonder if the professional racers feel the effects of the offset? Scary thought!!!
I will plan for a front end upgrade sometime down the road, not sure which front end I would consider. Not to bring anyone down but, My wife and I just found out that she has terminal cancer. I will more than likely take a break from wrenching on the bike, while we get through this. I truly THANK all of you for your guidance and support.
Daniel
1994 Kawasaki KZ1000P, Rancho Cordova, Ca
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598384...-project-bike#674472
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