Rear Wheel Alignment

[comanche91]

I re-greased and adjusted my chain yesterday, and decided to check the rear wheel alignment (whch I should have done before). Using the strings from the rear wheel method, the rear wheel was cocked to the left showing up as almost an inch offset at the left string at the front wheel. I got the rear wheel all centered/lined up very carefully w. correct chain tension, then measured the distance from the inside swingarm surface to the rear wheel outer rim face on both sides at several points. The readings were exactly the same on both sides, so the MZ 500's use a concentric swingarm, something I wasn't sure of before. So taking these swingarm-to-the-rim measurements is a good quick check to see if you're in the ballpark.

[ekirtz]

THIS is really good information! Thanks!

[DAVID THOMPSON]

also attention to how the rear axle works on this bike
most bikes i have worked on the axle goes all the way through and the nut goes on its end

this one the nut on the right side holds the chain ring on a hub and is tightened

then the axle goes in from the left and is tightened

other bikes may do this but none i have ever seen or worked on
dave

did a bit of head scratching the first time i took the rear end all apart

need to order a set of rubbers for it and put them on before i send it back on the road

the rt 125 is in sad need of some serious TLC so may ride the Saxon Tour this next year

[comanche91]

Hey Dave - how's it going mate? Looking for another Rotax now, I miss it.............