Rear wheel alignment?

I've got a small problem with the rear wheel alignment on my 82 XJ650. The tire rubs lightly on the drive shaft side, right where the tire is the widest. I've had the wheel apart and, according to the Haynes manual, I'm not missing any pieces. The manual doesn't mention aligning the rear wheel and I'm left thinking that the bike was dropped at some point and bent the rear end slightly. Does that make sense or is it possible to align the rear end?

Thanks,
Dean

 

I am by NO MEANS an expert...but I'm wondering if the back tire may be too wide for the bike.

 

What are the dimentions of the tire your attempting to install?

Not to mention, tires tend to do a litle bit of enlarging when the are spinning 70ish.

 

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it's got a 130/90-16 on it, which is the correct size.

"spinning 70ish" .... yes, it seems like I go everywhere at 70 mph on my XJ!! It just seems to like that speed.... :?

Dean

 

Are you sure u put the spacer(the one inside the drive "pumpkin") back in place?
And the covers-shrouds are meeting flush.
Did you recently change the rear tire, or has this been happening for some time?

 

I'm pretty sure the spacer is in there....it's been a bout two years since I had it apart. The bike and I have been laid-up for awhile... The guy that I got the bike from said it always happened. He put a couple of tires on it, both the correct size as far as I know. It doesn't seem to be posing a serious problem, just rubbing a little worn strip around the tire. It does make me kinda nervous though.

Thanks,
Dean

 

Check your swing arm clearance on both sides, Also when you have the bike up in the air check to see if the swing arm bearings are loose. Grab the back twheel and move it from side to side. Check your sevice manual about swing arm bearing service. Beaings are taper bearings like the front wheels on a car. They need to be greased and kept tight. If the bike has lots of miles you may want to pull the swing arm out anyway and clean it out and repack your bearings. Swing arm beaings should not really effect the tire clearance but if they are loose it may feel like your tire is rubbing. Handling around corners would be weird also. Good Luck

 

Also Check the tire size to see if it may be too big for your bike

 

Thanks, I'll check the bearings.

Dean

 

Did you ever figure this one out? Both my xj's are like this, both have the correct tires. Had the rear wheel off the black one and put a new tire on, and all the pieces are there... I think I can hear the tire rub sometimes like in a parking lot, but I assume at speed some of the weight comes up off the tire and it does not rub, as there is not really much of a rub mark on the tire.
NTGirl

 

What tire size are you running? And brand?