Wheels alignment

[il-rigido]

Hi everybody.
I've noticed that if I get off hands from my 2008 FLHR handlebar at 40/45 MPH it tends slightly to the left.
Someone says it's normal with touring bikes (my Sporty runs stright), and someone else says I have to adjust rear wheel alignment.
What do you say???
And how have I to adjust it???
Thanks
RR

[Night King]

Originally Posted by il-rigido

Hi everybody.
I've noticed that if I get off hands from my 2008 FLHR handlebar at 40/45 MPH it tends slightly to the left.
Someone says it's normal with touring bikes (my Sporty runs stright), and someone else says I have to adjust rear wheel alignment.
What do you say???
And how have I to adjust it???
Thanks
RR

Ciao RR!
I had the same on my 09 FLHR.
You´ll probably also notice that the handlebars seem to point a little to the right when you´re going in a straight line yes?

You need first to make sure the rear axle "snail" eccentric plates are nudged against the little shoulders on the swing-arm.
Loosen the axle nut and slacken the belt. Insert a feeler gauge (I used a 0.7mm) between the left side snail-plate and the little shoulder it normally rests against, and tighten the belt to spec.
While doing this, make sure the right side snail-plate rests against it´s shoulder; they have a habit of moving while you´re tightening everything; maybe the help of a second pair of hands is necessary; and tighten everything up. Make a note of which size feeler gauge you used, so if it´s still not right afterwards, you can make further adjustments if necessary. You´ll need these notes when your bike has been in the workshop, so you can do it again after the mechanic has been wrenchin on yer bike!

It took me a couple of times to get it right, but it´s fine now, and I can take my hands off the bars when using the cruise-control, and she goes straight as an arrow.
When you test ride, make sure you´re on a road that has no camber to it; must be dead flat.

Hope this helps
mike

[il-rigido]

Thanks a lot.
It seems you know what you are talking about!!!!!
Thanks again from Italy
RR

[DR_DEUCE]

Check the clutch cable routing. On touring bikes, many times it puts pressure on the left side. You can't even do a fallaway adjustment properly without freeing up the cable biasing.

[Night King]

Originally Posted by DR_DEUCE

Check the clutch cable routing. On touring bikes, many times it puts pressure on the left side. You can't even do a fallaway adjustment properly without freeing up the cable biasing.

What´s a fallaway adjustment?

[il-rigido]

Hey, by the way what is the right torque for the rear axle nut on a 2008 FLHR?
RR

[DR_DEUCE]

FALLAWAY, or SWINGAWAY, adjustment.
This checks the steering head bearing adjustment. Ajustment is done with bike off ground and level, relieving any biasing like stiff cabling.
For baggers, you start the bar at one side full lock, then let go and check how many swings are made before coming to rest.
For softtails and dynas, you mark center point and tap fender right and notice how many inches it takes before falling to the side. Then repeat for other side.

[xtractor]

DR. DEUCE
FALLAWAY, or SWINGAWAY, adjustment.
This checks the steering head bearing adjustment. Ajustment is done with bike off ground and level, relieving any biasing like stiff cabling.

"For softtails and dynas, you mark center point and tap fender right and notice how many inches it takes before falling to the side. Then repeat for other side."

DR. DEUCE. Would you be so kind to give a little more detail on what your explanning here, I would like to try this on my dyna. tx

[DR_DEUCE]

FALLAWAY ADJUSTMENT: for softtails and dynas. Touring uses the swingaway adjustment.

Lift bike off ground and level. Place masking tape on front of fender and mark center. Gently tap the fender to one side and note where it starts to "fall" by itself. Compare that measurement with the other side. Both sides should start to "fall away" between 1 and 2 inches. Tighten steering head bearing to lessen distance, loosen to increase distance.
YOU MUST: loosen lower triple tree fork pinch bolts AND remove cables that may interfere with the adjustment, which might cause an incorrect actual reading.

[xtractor]

Tx Deuce for the instructions! I do not recall seeing that proceedure in my manual.

[DR_DEUCE]

The procedure is in the MAINTENANCE section, not in the suspension section.

[xtractor]

Found it, tx ! What do they mean by " tap fender untill the front end begins to "FALL AWAY" wish they provided pictures for us visual types. lol

[xtractor]

OK got it figured out. "Fall Away" means the measurable distance of unrestricted swing or movement in the steering head, duh. lol

[DR_DEUCE]

You mean the measureable distance of RESTRICTED swing.
You measure from dead center, which is zero. Tap the fender gently to one side, and it moves a bit...keep tapping with small taps till it goes in direction tapped by itself>> that is the fallaway in inches for that side. Check both left and right fallaway, and if you are 1 to 2 inches, you are good.

[xtractor]

No I'm not retarted...well maybe a little on somethings. tx