Featherbed frame alignment checking

Hi Gary

I 'sighted' my wideline frame as has been suggested to you and all looked fine - that is up until the yokes and forks went in, by which time I had already painted it! If you are going to do it that way, I'd suggest you put a straight pole or bar through the headstock to make sure it is absolutely perpendicular to the frame. Mine was barely off, but it made a difference of about 10mm at the bottom of the wheel when the front end was bolted on. I took it to ABBA engineering (now in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex) and once on the jig they found the swing arm had a slight twist too, which I had missed as it had not been bolted to the frame. Thankfully they managed to straighten it all up without even chipping the paint.

Hope this helps

Martin

Previously gary_trimble wrote:

Hello

I have a wideline frame which I feel needs checking for alignment. I can't see any obvious problems but since this bike appears to have recieved a fair bit of abuse in its life, I feel its the right thing to do. However, I can't find anyone in my locality (Norfolk) who has a jig to do the job. Someone I spoke to on the phone suggested that if it looks ok when looking down the line of the frame with the steering head toward you then it should be fine. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

try terry mead on 01233 840323 who is in north east kent. he has a wideline jig i believe,

Good luck with it Gary, ABBA come highly recommended (by me anyway!) and I can assure you I have no affiliation to them!

If you want to do the full monty, probably worth asking them to check the yokes too. Be aware they'll want the crankcases and back wheel fitted to the bike.

All the best.

Previously gary_trimble wrote:

Thanks Martin. Your story proves the point then. Best to get it done even if its just for peace of mind. And I think |I'll get the professionals to do it.I looked at ABBA's website. I'll call them tomorrow.My girlfriend lives in Harlow so not much of a detour to Woodham Ferrers on the way down.

Previously martin_rowe wrote:

Hi Gary

I 'sighted' my wideline frame as has been suggested to you and all looked fine - that is up until the yokes and forks went in, by which time I had already painted it! If you are going to do it that way, I'd suggest you put a straight pole or bar through the headstock to make sure it is absolutely perpendicular to the frame. Mine was barely off, but it made a difference of about 10mm at the bottom of the wheel when the front end was bolted on. I took it to ABBA engineering (now in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex) and once on the jig they found the swing arm had a slight twist too, which I had missed as it had not been bolted to the frame. Thankfully they managed to straighten it all up without even chipping the paint.

Hope this helps

Martin

Previously gary_trimble wrote:

Hello

I have a wideline frame which I feel needs checking for alignment. I can't see any obvious problems but since this bike appears to have recieved a fair bit of abuse in its life, I feel its the right thing to do. However, I can't find anyone in my locality (Norfolk) who has a jig to do the job. Someone I spoke to on the phone suggested that if it looks ok when looking down the line of the frame with the steering head toward you then it should be fine. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

For the frame, less the headstock and the swinging arm I use 2 X 3/8 dia steel rod, at least 18 inches long and the same but 1/2 dia X 1. The half inch goes through the swinging arm pivot and the other two rods through the engine plate mounting points.

Pick the frame up and sight the rods, you should only see one rod if all is well. If one rod is showing then align two at a time to find out where the frame is out. This is my initial test and usually if a frame needs attention it will show up here. Good Luck.

the advantage with terry is that as he builds and sells frames he can cut and reweld and repair some serious damage.i believe motoliners twist the frame with the engine in and front end on to reset wheel alignment.i had one bike repaired years ago on a motorliner and it was the seat rails only which were bent but made the bike unrideable.so worth the cost.

Previously eddie_simpson wrote:

the advantage with terry is that as he builds and sells frames he can cut and reweld and repair some serious damage.i believe motoliners twist the frame with the engine in and front end on to reset wheel alignment.i had one bike repaired years ago on a motorliner and it was the seat rails only which were bent but made the bike unrideable.so worth the cost.

I'm here in Australia so don't know Terry. What types of frames does Terry build? I am looking for a late 20's ES-2/CS-1 type frame for my Walter Moore CS-1.

regards

Previously ian_richtsteig wrote:

Previously eddie_simpson wrote:

the advantage with terry is that as he builds and sells frames he can cut and reweld and repair some serious damage.i believe motoliners twist the frame with the engine in and front end on to reset wheel alignment.i had one bike repaired years ago on a motorliner and it was the seat rails only which were bent but made the bike unrideable.so worth the cost.

I'm here in Australia so don't know Terry. What types of frames does Terry build? I am looking for a late 20's ES-2/CS-1 type frame for my Walter Moore CS-1.

regardshello ian, the 20,s es2 frame is not a featherbed. the frame you want replicated needs certain castings joined together with tubing i guess. if you have the castings and a drawing of dimensions then give him a call. regards eddie