Hitchcocks Forum

I have been thinking of building a jig to ensure that Effie's front and back wheels are in correct alignment. I have a design in mind but was wondering if anyone else has any ideas for one.

Both the front an rear tyres on my Enfield are the same size and pattern, 110/80 19.
All I use is a length of angle iron. But a length of angle iron with a two nuts and bolts near one end set at 1/2 the difference of width of the two tyres should do the job. Setting the distance the two bolts need to be set apart is not rocket science.

I have always thought one day i will make a device specially for this purpose, brackets on board with cheap laser beams kind of thing.

Never get round to it, just use string or angle iron to check after works undertaken.

Trouble i find with the enfield is the centre stand gets in the way whatever method you use, darn awkward with the stand up trying to move the back wheel.

Always interested in any ideas from others..

Put on side stand (works on mine)



tie string on front wheel spoke, about 5 spokes up towards the front. then take around tyre to other side of wheel


feed string past sidestand to back wheel



Tie to lowish spoke at rear of rear wheel

adjust string so that it spans both wheels just above wheel rim height.



Sit in front of bike and carefully twist front wheel until string touches both front and back of tyre at widest point.

go to back and check string is touching both crossing points.



for double check, without moving front wheel or steering position , switch string to other side of bik, repeat as above.



I did try a laser pointer, but was too much hassle trying to hold and look at four points on two tyres at the same time without the thing moving.

I use a piece of sheet metal angle with a piece reversed each end that it long enough to span each wheel. This back to back angle allows you to go around the center stand, sit it on a brick each end and in 30 seconds you can check the alignment

I use the string method .I did consider using a modern laser system but as Scalyback says it is too fiddly.

If any one wants to try using lasers I got mine in Poundland . As laser beams they work O.K. with a minimum spend but as I said a bit fiddly to set up.

Cheers Mick

A good check is:
You need a dry road with the occasional puddle and friend following you.
Ride through a puddle and stay straight for a few yards. If your friend can only see one track the wheels are as near in line as doesn't matter.

I had to check one yesterday with my jig, too easy took longer to walk over and pick the jig up than it did to check

Jim, have a look at this cheap rig using lasers.
http://www.realclassic.co.uk/techfiles/ ... nment.html