Chain/Wheel alignment tool

[JCG]

A few people have expressed interest in this chain adjusting tool, so I figured that I would make a production run. I can make more if needed.
This tool allows you to correctly align your chain, and you can use it without taking off your exhaust or rear sets. It is constructed of delrin tapered clamps with thumb screws , and 3/16 stainless rod. The aluminum rod that is used to make the measurement is shipped straight. You simply add a bend where you need it to clear the hardware.

To use it, turn the slotted rear measuring nut until the stainless rod slots into the grove. Lock the adjustment nut in place, and move the measuring rod to the other side. Move the wheel adjusting block 1/2 of the difference. Re-adjust the the measuring nut to slot onto the stainless rod again, and re-measure the opposite side. Repeat until both sides are equal length. Be sure to monitor chain tension during adjustment so that it stays within specifications.
78258

Front:
78259

Rear measuring nut:
78260

I am asking for $50 to cover materials and time. Please PM with requests and include zip code for shipping quotes.

Using the steel rod through the rear wheel or front wheel, it is possible to measure suspension sag also. The rear requires a few more pieces, and you would need to remove an exhaust canister, if you have dual pipes. I am still trying to source materials to make it work easily for front suspension sag measurement. Let me know in the PM if there is any interest.

Rear sag tool:
78268
78269
78270

Simply lift up on the rear and release. Measure the difference from the top zip-tie to the aluminum bar. This is your static sag.
Get on the bike with your gear, get off and measure the distance from the bottom zip tie to the aluminum plate. This is your rider sag. Adjust preload accordingly to achieve desired results.

[Prankster]

I like it!

Is there a way to make it work with those laser pen pointers, or a line level laser?

[joecrx]

nice one looks good

[D-Rider]

Hey JCG, that looks good.

I'm interested but I guess that shipping to the UK (and other places) may not be so cheap.

I wonder whether you'd consider making up kits of all the plastic parts for those of us outside the USA and we can then source our own rods locally (if you could confirm sizes etc).
This should make delivery to the rest of us a viable proposition.

Cheers.:cheers:

[SoulDaddy]

Brilliant. :cheers:

I'm in.

92028

[evandewan]

I'll "borrow" Souldaddy's:kidding:

[falco03]

nice job, chris....i'm in
but for $50, i want my rod PREBENT.:whiner::crybaby:












:kidding::kidding:

[JCG]

Hey JCG, that looks good.

I'm interested but I guess that shipping to the UK (and other places) may not be so cheap.

I wonder whether you'd consider making up kits of all the plastic parts for those of us outside the USA and we can then source our own rods locally (if you could confirm sizes etc).
This should make delivery to the rest of us a viable proposition.

Cheers.:cheers:

I don't mind doing that. Shipping shouldn't be too bad for just he plastics. The rod is in fractions, not metric, so I'm not sure about the availability in Europe, but you should be able to find something close. I could even thread the measuring nut in a metric so that all you would need to do is buy a metric coupler and threaded rod.

[JCG]

I like it!

Is there a way to make it work with those laser pen pointers, or a line level laser?

Haven't quite thought about that. I like it for its simplicity as it is. I suppose that you could use a similar system with lasers to adjust front-to-back wheel alignment.

[SoulDaddy]

Summary: Freakin' awesome. Just get it.


I have been seriouslychallenged in the area of chain alignment and have been ready to get another Moto Guzzi (one that runs) just to be able to avoid dealing with a chain. Cleaning and lubing is one thing, but accurately aligning it AND keeping the tension correct has always had me cussing and taking way more time and effort than a normal person when getting the chain set up correctly.

But Chris did a great job of designing this item and it works just about flawlessly. The results were amazingly quick and best of all I was confident that my chain was running straight and true.

It fits on the bike quickly and securely, and measuring from side to side is just as easy provided you're careful to not inadvertantly force the gauge into place. This is easy to do if you're not watching out for it because the through-rods are only moderately rigid and will deflect with a bit of pressure, so you need to not be ham-fisted during this part of the procedure.

Since you can't have the rear axle rod in place and torque the axle nut down at the same time, it works best to set the alignment tool up after the axle is in nearly the correct position, the chain adjusters are extended to the stops, and after the axle nut has been lightly tightened to the point where rearward axle movement can be made only by extending the chain adjusters. Once you've got the correct positioning the tool is removed and the nut torqued as usual.

Maybe there's a way to modify either an open end wrench or somehow use a socket without the socket wrench to allow a little easier adjusting while the tool is in place, but the above method works fine and beats the hell out of bouncing back and forth trying to read inaccurate swingarm marks or a few of the other odd methods I've tried.

Anyway, it's a great device -- especially for the price -- and Chris has obviously put plenty of thought and care into its design and making.

It gets a 10 from me.

Forgot to mention that it's delivered in a strong tube container that will keep it together and well protected.

[ghostrider71]

Three Year BUMP!

Chris came-out of semi-retirement to make me one of these this past week. :worship:

Such a marvelously simple and effective way to align your new or old chain, with no hassle, and literally 1/3 the cost of the more expensive units. :banana:

If you're in the market, shoot JCG a PM, he said he'd be willing to make a few more if there was enuff interest. :plus:

Thanks again Chris -- great stuff! :cheers:

gr

[SoulDaddy]

Told ya so.




























:rolleyes:

[DR-JEKL]

Looks damn nifty :)

[Stuboy911]

I think its a brilliant idea & I would def be interested in one, shipped to japan pls.
shouldnt cost all that much as it isnt very heavy..

[JCG]

I think its a brilliant idea & I would def be interested in one, shipped to japan pls.
shouldnt cost all that much as it isnt very heavy..


I am making up a batch of 5 of these this week. One is already sold. I'll get you a shipping quote once finished. Please PM me your shipping info.

Thanks

[JCG]

I have two of these tools left. I can make more, but will have to re-up on materials.

The rear sag adjustment feature has only been verified to work properly on a Falco. I don't have the other models available to measure and fabricate the upper bracket from. It is a very simple system and might be able to be tweaked to work with your particular model. Just want to clarify this for those that might be interested.

[JCG]

3 are paid for, 2 are pending payment. That is it for this batch!

I'll be ordering materials to make some more sets to be available in a week or two.

Thanks!

[The Foreigner]

Could you please PM when you make your next batch ? I would love one of these shipped to Iasi, Romania 700456 for a Tuoldo

cheers

[JCG]

I have two of these ready to ship. After that I won't be making anymore. Just too big of a hassle right now with people not following through, and I'm not really making $$$ on these considering the time it takes me to make them. Thanks

[aimhigh]

I'll take one of those last two.

PM sent with zip.

[EVLTWN]

I'll take the last one if still available Chris.
Thanks..joe


I have two of these ready to ship. After that I won't be making anymore. Just too big of a hassle right now with people not following through, and I'm not really making $$$ on these considering the time it takes me to make them. Thanks

[JCG]

All wheel alignment tools have been sold! Thanks!

[potere]

Finally used the tool tonight and it is way more accurate than the lines on the swingarm. Very easy to setup, even for 1 person. Surprised that I did not need to bend the aluminum rod on my RSVR1000R, fits well under the foot peg or you can fold it up for even more clearance. FINALLY the chain is aligned!

[SoulDaddy]

Yep. Wonderful, isn't it??

I usually take a little bailing wire and snug my footpegs up out of the way ... no bending required.