HOWTO: Wheel alignment through laser chain align

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[quote author=Neon Knight link=topic=14764.msg167355#msg167355 date=1411237734]
Well I found it interesting if nothing else, the alignment marks on my swingarm are out so it's useful to hear an alternative to looking at the chain and trusting to the unfortunately untrustworthy human eyeball or my faith in "the force" to get such an important aspect of motorcycling safety correct.  :lol

I think this is the intelligence in the topic. Safety. This isn't about fuel consumption, or speed, or any other performance issue. This is about safety, and about  one of the two only wheels we have. So what price one puts on this can be debated tool the cows come home, but i heartedly agree with you, in that I wouldn't trust my eyeball of a guess of whether it 'looks' straight or my hearing if it 'sounds' OK. This is important as you right say and worthy of £40 (or a weeks fuel cost for me)
You have made the point well.
And for other readers.. it was £32 not 40 , don't know where I got £40 from
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I think Fazerider made a valid point, there are other factors which could effect the accuracy of the laser tool and it is also true that chain alignment can be checked by slowly rotating the wheel and feeling,looking and listening for snagging.
As for the safety issue I feel wheel alignment is more important than chain alignment and the first ride after refitting the wheel should be taken with caution until the feel of ride establishes confidence.
That said I do see a place for the laser tool especially with regards to a recent thread where the foccer found keeping the wheel true to the wheel alignment marks difficult when tightening the nut. With the use of the laser he would be able to monitor the line while tightening.
£40 can and does seem a lot for a tool of some convenience but then when you read on this forum the amounts people are prepared to pay for trivial things like stainless engine bolts perhaps £40 is good value for another gizmo