Centering front wheel

Hi Ron,

   How original is the bike? Are the forks the correct 7 inch centre, not the later 7+3/8th type? Has the wheel rim been replaced and does the hub look to have the correct clearance against each fork leg ? The most common fault is if the wheel has been rebuilt, the rim is not quite the same as the original alignment.

When I got my Dominator, it had an odd speed wobble at 35mph.  It didn't wobble at 34mph, or at 36mph.  Just 35. 

I fitted a new TT100, a wider tyre than previously, and it rubbed in the guard.  After a good look, I decided that the rim had been spoked off to the right side by around 1/8 - 3/16" - so I set to with a small adjustable spanner, and got the wheel central, running evenly, with an even 'tonk' when I struck a spoke.

Then I fitted the new rear tyre, and guess what, it was off-set too, but to the left, and it rubbed on the mudguard where it kicked inwards to clear the chain-guard.  Similar job to the front.

Job done, and the  bike handled enormously better - and no handlebar flutter.

Something lots of people get wrong when they spoke up a wheel is forgetting to measure the off-set of the rim from a datum, such as the drum outer face

Paul

I rebuilt all my own bike wheels myself and never measured anything. I set the front rim central  in the forks and the rear wheel central between the shocks. The bike handles perfectly. The Atlas that I rebuilt for my son has new rims that replaced the Borrani competition rims  and I foolishly copied what was done before by others. The bike handles like an overweight truck. Spend extra time to get it right , Whats the point of a Norton that does not handle?. I don't think the above method works on a commando though!.