After Bandit 1200 rear rim swap motorcycle leaning to left

[gpspl]

Hello,

I've installed bandit 1200 rear rim with suzuki spacers and caliper bracket. Unfortunately my bike is leaning to lef when riding.

Did somebody experience something similar after rim swap?

[fj1289]

FJ's center the swingarm in the frame.   I think a lot of Suzukis offset the swingarm in the frame, so the wheel gets offset in the swingarm.   There is a good chance that by using the Suzuki spacers the wheel is not centered in the swingarm.

Another option is the wheel is not straight in the swingarm and is driving the bike to one side, requiring a lean to track in a straight direction.

[Pat Conlon]

To check centering of the back rim I use (2) 7' long 1x1 steel tubes. I clamp 1 on each side of the back rim extending the tubes past the front tire. Centering the front tire and carefully measuring it will become obvious if the back tire is off center.

On rear rim swaps, proper centering the back rim with the front rim is the first step, once completed then deal with the sprocket offsets.

[Bozo]

To check centering of the back rim I use (2) 7' long 1x1 steel tubes. I clamp 1 on each side of the back rim extending the tubes past the front tire. Centering the front tire and carefully measuring it will become obvious if the back tire is off center.

On rear rim swaps, proper centering the back rim with the front rim is the first step, once completed then deal with the sprocket offsets.

Another way is while the front sprocket is without a chain put a straight edge flat against it and lower it to the rear sprocket, my 1999 GSX750 was 9mm out and required some mods to the sprocket hub and a couple of spacers.

[Pat Conlon]

I've seen some neat laser tools you can use for sprocket alignment. My point is folks just seem to worry about chain alignment and forget about proper tire alignment.

[Millietant]

Hello,

I've installed bandit 1200 rear rim with suzuki spacers and caliper bracket. Unfortunately my bike is leaning to lef when riding.

Did somebody experience something similar after rim swap?

When you measured up the wheel for the spacer dimensions, did you ensure the wheel centre-line was sitting in the same place on the spindle as the FJ wheel?

If you made up spacers to keep the wheel centre-line aligned, then there shouldn't be a problem.

[gpspl]

I think I did align wheels previously but today to check if it's aligment I went overboard and made new left side spacer on my lathe about 6mm shorter than the one made by suzuki but still abolutly no change, still leaning to left.
So maybe it's not a problem with align of rear tire? What else could course bike to lean to left, how tire offset affects it? Maybe swingarm or frame is bend? Also FYI I have front rim from fzr 1000 genesis installed.

[joebloggs]

I think I did align wheels previously but today to check if it's aligment I went overboard and made new left side spacer on my lathe about 6mm shorter than the one made by suzuki but still abolutly no change, still leaning to left.
So maybe it's not a problem with align of rear tire? What else could course bike to lean to left, how tire offset affects it? Maybe swingarm or frame is bend? Also FYI I have front rim from fzr 1000 genesis installed.

How about removing the spacers and caliper bracket then replace one at a time, I'd start with the left as the wheel should stay central (provided its the correct width) It may highlight what, if anything, is pushing the wheel out alignment

[gpspl]

If it's leaning to left does it mean wheels offset is to the right or to the left? Now I cant move wheel more to the left (sprocket side) as shortening suzuki spacer even more would mean sprocket bolts will interfere with swingarm.

[joebloggs]

If it's leaning to left does it mean wheels offset is to the right or to the left? Now I cant move wheel more to the left (sprocket side) as shortening suzuki spacer even more would mean sprocket bolts will interfere with swingarm.

My Fj had XJR wheels fitted, the rear brake disc was warped, I found the brake hanger wasn't machined (more likely filed) square and was pushed over at the top when the wheel nut was tightened.

I just wondered if something similar was causing your issue and thought by fitting your spacers etc one at a time would help you determine what could be causing it.

[Pat Conlon]

Clamp a long steel tube to each side of your back tire, extend the tubes past your front tire...if your rear tire centerline is offset to your front tire,  it will become obvious.