Looney Method

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

The discoverer of this method (Lynn -Looney- George) has asked that this method NOT BE USED. He feels that there might be an error.

Author's note: I feel it is more likely that any error would be in my ability to understand, properly execute, and describe Looney's method.

In any case, please do not attempt to use the description on this page until it has been thoroughly checked out. The text is included here for editing and publishing convenience only.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE, UNTIL IT HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY THE DEVELOPER AND THIS AUTHOR.

Here is a very simple, and reportedly, accurate alignment method used by Lynn George (Looney on the Delphi Forums). This method has several appealing things going for it:

• The distances to be measured are small.
• The only tool needed is a cheap, plastic, vernier (or other) caliper, available from most hardware stores.
• No estimation of the exact center of a hole, is needed.
• No steady hand or steely eye is needed.
• No removal of parts is necessary except, of course, for certain saddlebags and/or Kuryakyn axle covers.

Lynn estimates the accuracy of this method to be about +/- 0.015". He should know. Lynn builds and sells wide swing-arm kits for wide tire installation, as well as Harley wheel adapters and axles, and other Road Star, custom parts. You can always find him on is Delphi forum at http://forums.delphiforums.com/theloon/start.

To perform the alignment, take your calipers and locate the inside-jaws (the smaller of the two sets). Go to the bike's left side, and place one of the jaws against the front edge of the alignment block. Then adjust the jaw-span to rest the other jaw against the inner edge of the alignment-screw boss. See photo below.

Note: Your reading will only be as accurate as your skill in using the calipers. It's easy, but you must take your time to look closely at the exact spots you're measuring. One jaw should be as close to the vertical center of the forward edge of the adjuster-block as possible. The other jaw should be ??? (to just above the screw???). Be sure you duplicate your locations when you use the calipers on the other side.

Without disturbing the caliper jaws, move to the other side of the bike, and hold the calipers up to the same spots on the bike's right side. See photo below.

If the calipers show that the right side is smaller (jaws won't fit), turn the adjustment screw IN, to pull the axle back. If the calipers show that the right side is larger (jaws fit sloppily), turn the adjustment screw OUT, to allow the axle to move forward.