Hi Guys, Can you please help me on the best way to align my back wheel up and does the belt have to run dead center of rear sprocket.
Andy

 

Try this...

 

Thanks. Very useful.

 

All you need is a length of string or a straight length of wood. An often suggested alternative is an 8 foot flourescent light tube. The rear tyre is wider than the front on most models, which needs to be taken into account.

 

Hi, Once align up, Does it matter if the belt runs to one side on the sprocket or should it run in middle?

 

The pulley actually has a very slight taper, as a result of the way it's manufactured, so when rolling the bike forwards the belt will tend to move to one side, and to the other side when rolling the bike backwards. However it should not try to climb the edges of the pulley, which is a sign that rear wheel alignment is not quite right. It can also make it squeal!

 

For aligning my rear wheel I made a great tool.
I took a 1/4 inch steel rod that is longer than your swing arm (I used a metal campfire hotdog roasting stick), then make a 90 degree bend at one end so it now has an L shape. The bent end is about 1.5 inches long and is pointed so that if fits into the notch at the center of the swing arm pivot. I then put a small rubber o ring on the long part of the rod. Put the pointy end into the notch in the swing arm, then slide the oring along the rod until it lines up with the center of the rear wheel axle. Move to the other side of the swing arm and check that the o ring is at the center of that side of the axle. If it is you have correctly aligned your rear wheel, if not try again.

 

I have done a very similar thing with a length of aluminium rod. The problem i have is that when i tighten the right hand side wheel adjuster to pull it back the left hand side comes back too making it very difficult to align the wheel. Any ideas anybody?

 

Exactly what Mich said, except I use coat hanger rod and use those 2 small holes that are in the swingarm about halfway up it's length. If your O-rings are in the same spot on both sides (dead center in the axle ) then you're lined up right.

 

Interesting and good to know. I've always wonder why rolling forward & backward had that effect.

Thanks