Any tips on how to properly center and align front wheels by cranking on steering arms? By measuring the front of tire and back of tire and shooting for the same distance apart? I keep tinkering and twisting with hopes of tracking straight. Toe-in or toe-out something to think about?

 

There is a zillion ways to do this, but here is how I do it.
Find a nice flat smooth surface. (Cement garage floor?)
Take a marker and mark a line on the top side of the tie rod.
Loosen the jam nuts on the tie rods.
Take a tape measure and hook the end on the center tread in front of the tire. Measure, and remember the measurement.
Go to the back of the tire and hook the tape on the same lug of the tire and measure.
Now you need to do some math. What difference do you have in the measurements? Lets say you have 1/2" more in the front than the back. That means you have 1/2" towed out.
Now you need to tow it in some.
Turn your driver side tie rod counter clockwise 1/2 turn.
Now do the same on the pass side.
Measure again. Worse? Ok, turn the tie rods one turn clockwise.
Just keep doing this until you get the same measurements or within an 1/8" or so.
Remember, if you do one tie rod you have to do the other, or your handle bars will be off.

 

Thanks DoctorTurbo! I had a feeling that it was one of those deals of tweaking here and there to get tracking alignment correct. I'll give it a try this afternoon! Aloha!

 

No problem. MolokaiRider, it's very important to understand what I have typed before you try this. It's very easy the get lost when doing tow adjustment (least it is for me)!!!! Then it is a nightmare to get the bars straight and the tie rods where they need to be. And don't drink beer or do "other things" when you do this!!!! Ha ha ha ha......
Maybe someone else will chime in and tell you the string method of doing a tow, or give you a link. It's not hard to do if you've done it, but it is hard for me to explain how to do it.
Have fun on your island!!!!!!!!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]