Fender Shift / Misaligned

[Brent Herridge]

I just realized that my rear fender is nearly hitting the right edge of the tire. Don't know if its changed recently or not.

How do you fix this ?

Right (bad) side - I think the camera angle makes the gap look larger than it is. I could not fit my finger between tire and blinker bolt.



Left side is, of course, much larger gap - 2 fingers:



Sure wish I could've stayed out of the picture.

???

 

[Little-Boo]

If you know its' the fender would loosen all four strut bolts near the seat and realign the fender using a piece of wood or rubber like door stops and alien the fender and tighten the strut bolts back to specs. if that don't work you may have to loosen the fender bolts from the fender struts and do the same thing until you have equal distance on both sides. However, it could be your rear tire that was not aligned properly during a tire change or your rear bearings are shot. If the front of the tire is closer to the right or left side of the fender you may want to check the tire alignment For this you need to put your bike on a jack to bring the rear of the bike up until the rear tire is not on the ground, loosen the rear wheel axel and adjust the wheel. There are four allen screws in the rear swing arm that control how the wheel alignment, two on each side The first ones serve as a lock which have to be removed on each side, then further in the same hole it the adjuster screw, (same size allen wrench) undo it until it is even with the hole, more or less. Then turns that you screw it in and count the turns because you have do the same on the other side.

I use a piece of string or tape measure from the center of the rear axle to the center of the front axle to make sure the rear wheel is straight. You may want to do that first and it's off then you'll now know the reason the fender does not look straight and ever better your will know how to adjust a rear wheel.

You need to get a service manual.

Good Luck

Carlos

 

[Rottweiler]

I use a piece of string or tape measure from the center of the rear axle to the center of the front axle to make sure the rear wheel is straight. You may want to do that first and it's off then you'll now know the reason the fender does not look straight and ever better your will know how to adjust a rear wheel.

Very good advice.

 

[Brent Herridge]

The Next Morning.......I realize wheel spacers could be the only cause or fix. I did not take it apart again, but aren't the R and L spacers the same size ?

I've been through the alignment process the last couple of times I had the wheel off, and it's about as close as I can get it with the belt not touching.

I had the bearings replaced before as well, so they should still be good.

Hard to compare R/L sides of the swingarm since its offset for the belt anyway. Also realized my cleaning yesterday neglected some spots.....:

 

[Mickeetwo]

There are 3 spacers in the rear, they are different sizes if your sitting on the bike the largest is on the right and then next biggest, and then the small. The two that go up against the bearing has a lip on it. Make sure the lip is facing the bearing.

 

[Brent Herridge]

I finally got the lips facing the right way last time. Remembering now what you're saying - single big spacer on the right (pulley) side, and a spacer on each side of the caliper mount bracket on the left isn't it ?

So those can't be swapped...........

Guess I'm back to the alignment.

I suppose a little variance is not too far out of the ordinary ?

 

[Mickeetwo]

I finally got the lips facing the right way last time. Remembering now what you're saying - single big spacer on the right (pulley) side, and a spacer on each side of the caliper mount bracket on the left isn't it ?

So those can't be swapped...........

Guess I'm back to the alignment.

I suppose a little variance is not too far out of the ordinary ?

yes, sounds like you got them in correctly.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

The Next Morning.......I realize wheel spacers could be the only cause or fix. I did not take it apart again, but aren't the R and L spacers the same size ?

I've been through the alignment process the last couple of times I had the wheel off, and it's about as close as I can get it with the belt not touching.

I had the bearings replaced before as well, so they should still be good.

Hard to compare R/L sides of the swingarm since its offset for the belt anyway. Also realized my cleaning yesterday neglected some spots.....:

View attachment 72861
View attachment 72862

The spacers are not the same size but only two of the spacers have the bearing lips so you can't really screw them up. Maybe your right spacer is a little worn, which could be your issue.

You made me look at mine which is up on the lift and it's about 1/2" on each side fender to tire and about +/-3/8" bolt head end to tire. Tolerance is minimal.

Worthwhile to double check and make sure your 4 strut bolts are torqued down to spec. 50ft/lbs.

Hard to tell by the picture how different it is and if it's even worth your time now or just keep an eye on it and next tire change you can get a set of new spacers.

 

[Brent Herridge]

Thanks Eric.

Strut bolts are tight.

I'll keep an eye on it........