Cruiser front wheel spacing.

The front wheel on my bike is not centered... the rim is half an inch uncentered towards the onside of the forks and I can't figure out how to get it centered! Anyonw else had this problem? Here are some photos of the spacers on the front brake plate, are they correct?

Hi Rob, my front wheel was built central to the hub with no offset, below is a diagram of the front hub parts, No 17 is a 3/8" spacer but No 2 has no mention of it's size. Mike

Thanks Mike, the diagram is exactly the same as my wheel. The rim is central to the wheel hub, its an old build so I presume its correct. Its as if the forks aren't far enough apart... the brake plate takes up more space than is left on the other side. I was wondering if the wheel should have an offset to take the thickness of the brake plate into consideration and therefore centre the wheel in the forks. Do you know if the smaller 5 inch rims were narrower? Perhaps I have the wrong fork stantions?

Hi, could anyone measure the distance between the lower fork sliders on an AMC FB please, I cant work out why my front wheel isnt centered. Many thanks.

Best as I can measure on my Falcon 87 it's 5.5" inside of leg at the spindle to opposite side. I'd guess the Cruiser will be similar. I'm just fighting the good fight getting my rear wheel central but I'm going to knock up spacers so it follows the chainline regardless of the actual measurements.

Cheers Colin

Thanks Colin, yes thats what I make it... 5.5 inches where the spindle is and 5 inches between the fork sliders just above that point. Is your front wheel centered on the hub itself or on the hub including the brake plate?

I know parts books are only a guide but the spacer under the tin sheild looks thinner than yours in the book.
That large deep nut, is it not recessed one side a little to locate the sleeved hub nut? I cant see that on yours so is it upside down?
Are your wheel bearings fully home?

Ken

Thank Ken, it all looks to be correctly fitted and there is no rom to move the wheel to one side as can be seen in photos below. Its as if its the wrong wheel or the wrong forks. Were there different widthed forks? Is the 5 inch hub narrower than the 6 inch. Or should there be an offset to the wheel spoking, which mine doesnt have? My fork leg centres are 6.5 inch. The wheel is offcentre by 0.5 inch. Mystery.

Sorry here are photos.

I don't think the forks vary in width but the lower fork tubs can be slot in or knock through spindles. I have put a couple of 6" hubs into forks that had 5" with no problem. I had loads of spacers and just used what fitted.

On my Falcon the wheel after the rebuild was 1/4" out of centre and touched the mudguard brace. I just slackened all the spokes on one side a 1/4 turn and tightend the other side the same amount and it was spot on.

Try to put pictures of your wheel and fittings in place.
Sorry I see you have now but I can't see them on my iPad as they are dark and the edges missing.


Ken

Hi Ken, I think you may have answered the question there, there must be an offset with the spokes so the rim centres with the brake plate included too. As you say it probably doesnt take to much movement to centre it.