rear wheel aligntment tolerance

[cbcanada]

today i had to tighten my chain, i aligned the rear wheel so that one side is 3.0 mm and the other side is 3.5

(measured with a digital caliper)

is this tolerance if half a mm. reasonable? it took a bit of work to get there.. if it is not readonable can anyone
suggest a way to get it right on.

 

[mikbusa]

Are you measuring the markings on the swing arm? If yes, they are somewhat irrelevant. Google up the string method for aligning a real wheel.

 

[cbcanada]

Are you measuring the markings on the swing arm? If yes, they are somewhat irrelevant. Google up the string method for aligning a real wheel.

yes what i am doing is using the first notch on the swing arm as a reference point and then measuring back from there with the caliper. one side is 3 mm and other side is 3.5 mm

 

[Brian P]

Forget the marks on the swingarm for a moment. Do this:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/string_align_motorcycle_wheels/

Then, once you have done this, you have an alignment baseline. Measure how much out of whack the swingarm marks are.

 

[phil_si]

Half a mm is fine, you won't notice anything

 

[sixstring]

The marks on the swingarm are irrelevant. Use something like this. They also make one with a laser.

 

[skapan]

I use a fluorescent tube alongside the rear tire (no need to plug it in) and measure the gap on each side of the front tire. Amazingly accurate. Used to do it with string but too much of a hassle. But generally you can see by how the chain meets the sprocket if the wheel is off.