Did a tire swap on a 1998 Road King, believe I have the wheel aligned correctly, but was wondering if anyone had the manual or knowledge on the correct way to align the rear wheel? Before I get told to "go buy the repair manual", bike is not mine, just trying to help out a buddy who is layed off and doesn't have the $150 dealer wants to swap tires for him. Rear set up is different (vs 2007 that I do have manual for) on this older bike.

Thanks in advance...

 

There is an illustration in the manual of a tool that you can easily make for rear wheel alignment. It's nothing more than a wire with a few bends in it. What you want is a common point on the bike on both sides that you can measure back from to the rear axle, like a gauge. Nothing to it, really.

 

To check wheel alignment all you need is a long length of string, twice the length of the bike. Get your buddy to help. Pass the string round the tread of the front tyre, down each side of the bike, to behind the rear tyre. Keep it tight, and make sure it doesn't catch on any part of the bike. Move the handlebars and front wheel to get the best alignment with the rear.

When the string touches both front and rear edges of both sides of the rear tyre, and you have the same gap either side of the rear of the front tyre, the wheels are in line. Make adjustments to the rear wheel until you achieve that. Some Harley front tyres are wider than the rear, so revise my words to suit!

Hope that helps.