Shocking To Me !!!!

[H2RICK]

I just found out that my alignment marks for the chain tensioners are out by about 1 mm from side to side !!!! Yes, I've seen this before on older bikes that I've had with steel swingarms but I'm shocked that my '06 Bandit would have this problem, what with the fancy aluminum swingarm and all. You would think in this modern era that variances like that would be a thing of the distant past. Now that I'm aware of it, I can align everything by how the chain runs on the sprocket....rather than where the alignment marks end up.
You would think that a veteran campaigner like myself should know better....and you'd be right. Note to self: NEVER assume that the factory has things totally correct. Check everything three ways to Sunday before bolting stuff back together. A guy shouldn't have to do this, but......

[gringostd]

... but it is a Bandit, after all.

What kinds of manifestations did / would this misalignment give you? Shake, bad wear, etc.?

[Red01]

Effects are alignment/tracking and accelerated tire/chain/sprocket wear.

[H2RICK]

Well, Paul, mine was out such a little bit that it wasn't apparent in tire wear/alignment/handling at all (at least to me) but what I DID notice was weird chain noise........ and that's what inspired me to investigate somewhat more thoroughly.
NOW the sprocket teeth are right in the middle of the rollers (instead of way off to one side or the other and actually rubbing the side plates) and it sounds MUCH happier.
It is AMAZING how little it takes to misalign a chain....
A guy my age should REALLY know better.....
I'll blame it on....yeah, that's it.....incipient Alzheimer's.....

[1200B]

so what can we use to make sure that the rear is perfectly in alignment on the bandit?

[pmackie]

so what can we use to make sure that the rear is perfectly in alignment on the bandit?

As H2Rick explained, you can ensure the chain is straight all the way from the rear sprocket to the countershaft...

I use a tape measure from the centre of the swingarm pivot to the centre of the axle, and then a sight-line reality check on the chain. Seems to work for me. Last chain lasted approx 40,000 kms.

[Jester]

so what can we use to make sure that the rear is perfectly in alignment on the bandit?

As H2Rick explained, you can ensure the chain is straight all the way from the rear sprocket to the countershaft...

I use a tape measure from the centre of the swingarm pivot to the centre of the axle, and then a sight-line reality check on the chain. Seems to work for me. Last chain lasted approx 40,000 kms.

But I can just bring mine up the street to your house right Paul?

[pmackie]

OK Jester 

But I can just bring mine up the street to your house right Paul?

You can bring it up alright, and I'll SHOW YOU how to do it. At least I have enough room in the garage (once my daughter's stuff gets moved).

[Jester]

Hell I can live with that answer. I don't mind getting my hands dirty... its getting them dirty and ending up with a paper weight.