Sports: Re: [DucatiST] Re: Counter shaft sprocket flat to the engine?

For my '96 900SS/CR, I have a set of trammel points and adjusted from the center of the swing arm to a similar reference point to each side on the axle end.

To insure that the c-to-c stayed the same, I took some of my red touch-up paint and then painted the same flat on each adjuster, both on the flat itself and on the inside of the "bowl" of the hex head. Then when ever I have to adjust the chain, I adjust one flat at a time and you can reference each swingarm adjuster to each other. If something shifts, it's obvious.

When I have to pull the wheel for what ever reason, I rotate each adjuster the same amount and be careful to not move them. When I'm ready to go back in with the wheel, I squeeze it in, put the chain on, lightly snug up the axle, slap the tire forward so both sides of the axle are forward as far as they can go and then crand back in the number of turns less a half turn and then see where the adjustment is, chain slack wise. Then just fine tune the slack and move both bolts exactly the same and you know your straightness is maintained.

Haven't tried it on the ST4s yet but did buy one of the laser guides from LT at DesmoTimes. I'll do both ways to verify the lazer light as a valid adjuster tool. If good it will be doing quadriple duty on the Ducs, and on my Norton Commando and on my Triumph Bonnieville and Trident.

Hopper

From: Jack Ward <jaxn51@gmail.com>
To: st2_owners@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, January 28, 2011 12:58:50 PM
Subject: Re: [DucatiST] Re: Counter shaft sprocket flat to the engine?

Measure from the center of the axle to the center of the swingarm. Never fails for me. Never had an issue with uneven wear. I have NO objection to high tech tools however. Whatever it takes to get it right, is exactly what's needed.

On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 11:14 AM, Bob Marren <bmarren@bellsouth.net> wrote:

On 1/28/2011 10:30 AM, Jack wrote:

No argument, Lee. I said it only because it's been my experience. I really wonder if some bikes have a bit of an offset from one sprocket to the other that might cause this. The only variable I know about is the assembly that the rear sprocket mounts to and I can't see how that could change. Seems once you tighten the rear axle, the cush drive can't move at all. Difference in the spacer on the left side of the rear wheel assembly?

Seems reasonable to assume something is pulling the front sprocket in one direction or the other. If it's not alignment of the rear wheel, what could it be? Anyone??

Jack in NY

On 1/28/2011 6:58 AM, Lee wrote:

The rear wheel is not as easy to align on the ST line as it is on other Ducatis. Even after putting a set of the
rear plates on from LT I had both marks even but was off on alignment. I clamped a piece of stock to the rear
and it showed that it was off with the front.
Being on with the pointers on the plates is not 100%. Those Laser alignment tools are great.

Bob