Forum

[Alan R]

Hi MICK B ---- just to add my support and "well done". If only others would take heed and take similar action with my favourite hot potato . Cheers, matey !!!

[Alan R]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HHHHHHH !!!! That should read}---->>>

[MickB]

Still waiting for what I assume will be the replacement swing arm (and not the complete frame) but in the mean time I have been having a few problems with handling and steering; the bike generally feeling 'not right', uncomfortable seating position, a tendency to wander on corners, etc. I checked the rear wheel alignment, the measurements from the center of the swing arm to the rear axle stud was the same on both sides so that seems to be ok. I then checked the alignment of the rear wheel to the front wheel. On checking the wheel alignment I ran a straight edge from the outside left walls of the rear tyre to the outside left walls of the front tyre. There was a gap of approximately 1.5cm between the straight edge and the outside walls of the front tyre. On doing the same to the right hand side, the straight edge butted up on the rear of the front tyre approximately 1.5cm in from the outside edge of the tyre. This means that the front wheel is offset and quite badly displaced to the right. Now I am no mechanic but I would say that there appears to be a serious problem with the frame (bearing in mind that the rear end was twisted and had to be straightened) and possibly one that can not be corrected by adding a few shims to the front wheel axle. I have emailed the dealer (with photos) and I am still waiting for a reply. Two questions; is the bike safe to ride and at what point am I entitled to ask for a replacement bike? Can I please ask for the collected wisdom of the forum as to whether this is a major problem before I start going in all guns blazing?

[Les H]

Mick. You need to start at the front and work back not from back to front. Reason: all bike wheels have to be in the centre of telescopic forks. Once that is ascertained then measurements will eventually locate the misalignement. It could even be the forks are out of alignment in the vertical plane this is quite common. It is relatively easy to check front rim centrality by measuring the gap of the rim edge to the inside of the forks. IF this is correct then the 7.5mm offset you have could be that the rear wheel requires to be built with a 7.5mm offset, or maybe it should have 3.25 mm offset but has been dished the wrong way and therefore is summing up the errors. otherwise if the rear wheel is correctly dished or does not require dishing then there is a frame fault which is VERY VERY difficult to find and will require special frame jig alignment equipment. But as you have now you have proved there is something wrong I would DEMAND that the bike is replaced as it was NEVER fit for purpose. Do not do any more measuring and wasting your time. It might be time to threaten them with legal action. The law is on your side with this one.

[Les H]

BTW the rear wheel has been set up correctly with the front using the adjusters?? The adjusters should be within one notch either way or say no more than 2-3mm difference if they are screw type.

[Les H]

Just spotted that half of 7.5mm is 3.75mm not 3.25mm as I said. Oh yes, it is quite common that the correct rear wheel fitting does not place it central to the swinging arm, which is why I said start at the front.

[Norm]

Frame on my Electra was out by similar measurements. It was sent to a frame straightening specialis and cost the dealer and importer $500. But I was still without the bike for 3 weeks while it was done

[trevorch]

MickB, We seem to be missing something. " You are still waiting for a new swing arm and the frame had to be straightened"

I do not see how you can expect to measure anything, without the correct swing arm fitted and then it is your dealers responsibility, not just to fit it but also to check fully the front to rear wheel alignment (in all 3 planes).

Not suprised you are having handling problems with a half repaired bike, or am I missing something? Cheers TrevorCH

[MickB]

trevorch, sorry about the confusion but I was as confused as you. Back to the dealer today to fix a small oil leak from the filter and he explained all. The rear of the frame was twisted (hence the leaning rear wheel)and has been straightened temporarily to allow me to use the bike. The whole of the frame is slightly out of line causing the front and rear wheels to be out of alignement. The dealer has ordered a complete new frame, including the swing arm which with a bit of luck will be here before next year... When it arrives the bike will go in when he will also be replacing the complete exhaust system (badly fitted and hanging at the rear), front mudguard (chrome missing), left knee grip (looks like the back has been nibbled by mice)and remounting the rubber baffles on the cylinder block (twisted, badly positioned, hanging off etc). Having said all that, he assures me that the bike is perfectly safe to ride! To give praise where it's due they seem to be bending over backwards to get the bike as it should be. It's just a shame that these problems were not spotted before the bike came out of the showroom.

[Alan R]

---------- Before the bike came out of the factory !!