HarleyTechTalk

I would like to understand a few things about Harley Davidson Softail (2004 Heritage) chassis/alignment norms.

1.  How tolerant is the belt drive of cog-wheel (sprocket) misalignment? (I mean off-set misalignment, not a twisted real wheel)

2.  How is cog-wheel (sprocket) alignment/off-set checked? (the front one is basically inaccessible).

3.  Is the 1/4" left-of-center-of-the-swingarm position of the rear wheel normal?

4.  Is the rim of the front wheel supposed to be centered between the fork tubes? (I know it isn't with the Touring fork)

  Brian,  My front wheel is 5/64" off center to the right...the measurement on the right side is 5/32" less than the left (rim to fork leg),  measured fairly accurate. 
I'm guessing the rear could be over to the right also to clear the 180 tire on the SE Deuce, (which has a different swing arm than a regular Deuce)...never have measured.
The front pulley is wider that the belt,  if you look at the pulley you will see where the belt has been running,  so may be room the move it some...not sure how much.
Have a look with a flashlight and see where the belt is on the front pulley turning the wheel forward.  Sorry not much help,  Rick

Thanks for that Rick.

One of the reasons I ask is because I was told that the wheels are "off center" is due to the weight distribution of the drive-line in the chassis; being left of center due to the weight of the primary/clutch component.

The other is that I have the opportunity to center things now, as I make my winter mods.