Wheel Alignment

JRock

Turbocharged
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
786
Location
Central NJ, USA
Ride
2008 Rocket III Standard
I'd like to get new tires as cheaply as possible by removing the front and rear wheels myself and taking them in for mounting the new tires. Is there anything special the dealer would do when putting the wheels back on to align them? Is there an adjustment on the bike to make sure front and rear are tracking strait and aligned with one another? TIA
 
I believe the wheels are just balanced and you slap them back on and torque them to specs.
 
Wouldn't hurt to buy that rubber from somewhere other than the dealer too.

Of course, you don't have to go to a Triumph dealer to have this done if you're doing most of the work yourself. Find an indy and you'll probably pay less in labor and get out the door quicker.
 
My tyre alignment check (in the 80's) was always to use a piece of thin string, or fishing line, and run it around the front and rear tyres to check if they are all tickety-boo: maybe a little tricky with such a disparity between tyre sizes, and, I guess it's a little difficult without a centre stand, but maybe get someone to assist?
 
Assuming you have the wheels balanced, the only thing you should do when remounting is before you tighten up the lock bolts in front and that axle nut in rear, do a little pounding on the axle with a rubber mallet to make sure bearings are seated correctly. Compressing the shocks by bouncing on the bike helps too. Then tighten bolts and nuts to spec. And for a little clarification for the mechanically challenged, don't bounce in the bike if you have it on a lift. Only do that with both tires in full contact with the ground.
 
While watching American Chopper last night, I noticed they used a laser pointer/laser leveler to align the wheel/tire to the center of the frame.
 
Check for rotation mark :arrow: on each ruber before switching them
The rear tire is a pain in the ass to take off and to put back on :twisted:
You have to remove the hub you need a snap ring removal tool or something to remove the snap ring
And I do remove (make a mark before you take it off and put it back at the same spot ) the rear disc brake before taking the rubber off
Not to many shop have the right machine to switch the rear tire and just to balanced them they need a extra long shaft to scew on the nut

If you do it yourself they won't be any waranty :shock:
At the dealer it's a 2 hour labour job ±
Ask for a quotes before
 
From Houston just got this quote:
Rear tire change labor: $110 includes balance and appearently some bolt that triumph recommends you always replace?? then $220 for the tire.
That's from a dealer.
Any thoughts?
 
tugboat tim said:
From Houston just got this quote:
Rear tire change labor: $110 includes balance and appearently some bolt that triumph recommends you always replace?? then $220 for the tire.
That's from a dealer.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Yes, you are being raped! Call the police! :shock: I believe Houston only has one dealership anymore, and if you buy a Metz or a Avon you only have the one choice if you have the dealer install. Check around and see if any other dealers change Rocket tires and their price for labor, balance, etc. Check the net for tire prices!

Native One
 
Yup ... no lateral movement with respect to the rear wheel. There is a huge shaft/bolt that slides through the entire assembly, with no side to side play whatsoever. You are not going to have a tracking problem on the rear.

I have not personally removed a front.
 
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