I had this question asked of me again today by PM
...so thought I would run up a 3 minute "how too"...:)
I will edit and add to this again soon...I just wanted something up ASAP to help now. :)

How do you check your wheel alignment at home without a ton of equipment ? and check that your front end is straight ? :icon_shrug:

Easy.. http://www.cbr-riders.com/forum/images/smilies/smiley20.gif

Stuff required :
I piece of good string about 4 mts (13') long
I straight edge about 400mm (16") long
A nice small retractable ruler/tape measure

To begin with ....
here is an example of what you may find is going on with your alignment!

http://www.home-business-host.com/images/cbr/cbr_spec_pics/wheelalignment3.jpg

Ok..
To start with , this is easier done with the help of a drinking buddy and about 6 cold cans :)
NOTE : You will need to remove both plastic side covers prolly depending on which of the 2 ways shown below that you try do this ...

Disclaimer
Rear wheel alignment is fairly easy to do and get right, so you should have no problems with it ..
The front to back wheel alignment can be a bit more fiddly , but very do able..
I would though suggest that if you are not mechanically inclined and can afford this done at a shop that has the correct gear to do it exactly , that you do get it done with them..
These methods will enable you to fix an alignment that is way out , or straighten a twisted front end...
... but it will not usually get it set to "degree perfect" std..

Wheel alignment is really a 3 part issue on bikes..

1/ Rear wheel alignment (firstly)
2/ Rear to front wheel alignment (secondly)
3/ Front Forks check (finally, this can help identify a twisted front end )

This is not too easy to explain , but I will try to make it simple..
Once you read this the pics below will prolly explain the rest for you , so that you get the whole idea..

The first thing..
is to check the rear wheel alignment by measuring the exact distance from the center of the rear wheel axle to the center of the swing arm bolt , on both sides .. This ensures that the wheel is sitting parallel and center within the swing arm.

NOTE:
Measuring this is better to adjust the chain as well because you cant trust the dam marks on the rear of swing arm to be accurate..
(Once you have done this properly once , you can re mark your swing arm for the next time to make it easier and quicker ..) http://www.cbr-riders.com/forum/images/smilies/smiley20.gif

Second part..
Make sure your steering looks centered and even from the top first...

If you have a center or main stand ,put her up on it.
Grab a nice clean piece of string and tie it around the rear of the rear wheel about 4 inches off the bottom.... (REFER TO PIC BELOW)
Make sure your steering looks centered and even from the top ...
Stretch the string forward along the side of and across the rear wheel up to alongside the front wheel ... with a steady hand you should be able to then measure the parallel gap between the front tire or rim to the string where it passes both front and rear of the front wheel...

If you do your rear wheel to swing arm set first, then set your steering straight and then setup the strings rear to front and find that the front wheel gaps are no where near the same , you will then quickly know that you need to adjust things..

Front end twist check..
This will help identify a twisted set of forks if you are concerned.
The bottom pic explains how to do this better that I can type it ... LOL

Basically in summery...
just take all these measurements and adjust everything to get them all right..
Measurements can be taken from centers or outsides of axles or wheels , which ever is easiest for you.. BUT ...MAKE SURE YOU MEASURE FROM THE SAME POINTS EACH SIDE !!

Prolly take you a couple of hrs the first time , but it is the sort of thing you need only do very rarely anyways.. so its worth it :)

These 3 pics below may help explain better what I mean..

good luck guys http://www.cbr-riders.com/forum/images/smilies/smiley20.gif

Excuse my stick figure drawings , but this was a rush job ... LOL
http://www.home-business-host.com/images/cbr/cbr_spec_pics/wheelalignment.jpg


Front end twist check..
SPECIAL NOTE : BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT THIS !
Be sure you have done your rear wheel alignment first !!! at the least ..

http://www.home-business-host.com/images/cbr/cbr_spec_pics/wheelalignment2.jpg

Very simple set of instructions, especially with the drawings. You're right. First time allow a couple of hours because It takes a bit to work cause & effect. The marks on the swing arm are only a guide. They are never accurate. I tend to use a builders string line around the rear tyre & attached to heavy garden chairs. That way I can have the string really tight & it's easily adjusted as I work.

Hey Steve, or anyone else ...feel free to add a few of your own ideas , details or extra advice to this thread guys ... :icon_wink:

As with all the "How too's" , we need to have this subject well covered so that this question when asked can be referenced to this thread every time ...http://www.cbr-riders.com/forum/images/smilies/smiley20.gif

Well I use 2x 2foot pieces of 2 x 1 wood on the rear wheel
and shim out with 2x 6 foot pieces of straight lumber up to
the front wheel and the as you said adjust so the front sits
dead center and equidistant between the two 6 foot pieces
of wood.

Just a fast and simple approach that works for me....takes
30 seconds and the center stand is not an issue.

Kinda got the lumber thing going on here in Maine ...lol

Yup ....straight edges of any kind are a great way to do it as long as they are real straight ?

I actually use that method myself Mark ...but then I always have a few lengths of 1"x1" box steel lying around my workshop ..because om a plumber :icon_wink:
To stretch across the rear wheel and then up to and along side the front , you prolly would need a couple of pieces 5ft-6ft long though ? and thats ok if you have that sort of steel kicking around doin nothing ...lol

I only used the string thing because most guys will have string kicking around prolly anyways....

Great write-up, steve. I'm sure this will come in handy... :icon_wink:

My 1990 CBR has the stock exhaust, which makes it impossible to get a direct measurement between the rear axle and swingarm pivot bolt. I made a caliper. I used a straight rod and a pair of right-angle clamps I got from the internet. I used a long nail in each clamp to space the rod away from the exhaust pipe. I center-punched the swingarm pivot bolt and placed one nail on it. I adjusted the other right-angle clamp so the nail is exactly in the center of the rear axle. I tightened the clamps and brought it to the other side of the bike. When the chain tension is correct and both sides are exactly equal, the rear axle and swingarm pivot bolt are exactly parallel. I also use this on my 1979 Suzuki GS1000, and I can take both hands off the handlebar at speed. This picture shows the rod, right-angle clamp, and the long nail on the center of the swingarm pivot bolt.
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6536/alignmentcaliperhi0.jpg
By noworries1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/noworries1), shot with Canon PowerShot A510 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=Canon+PowerShot+A510&make=Canon) at 2008-11-04

Nice work around Johnhttp://www.cbr-riders.com/forum/images/smilies/smiley20.gif
I actually don't do the rear axle to swing arm measurement ...

I rely mostly on getting the front right and then stringing from front to back ... but that setup looks really accurate mate ...!! well done :icon_wink:

good info