removing wheels for tire change

[MustangGuy]

It's time to change the tires on my Firebolt. I want to remove the wheels and take them and the new tires to a nearby shop. They change tires there but won't work on Buells or Harleys so if I want them to do the change, I have to bring the wheels - besides, it's time I learn wheel removal anyway. I have experience working on cars but never tackled motorcycle wheel removal before. I just need a basic "how to" (for front and back), any tips or tricks from experienced members, and any special tools I might need (love to buy new tools!) I do have a rear stand, but it looks like I will probably need a jack, to keep the bike upright when both wheels are off... so a recommendation on a reasonably-priced jack would be great. I know there's probably a "how to" sticky on this, but damned if I can find it... maybe if somebody knows where it is, you could send me a link? I'm also thinking about bearing replacement, although I'm not sure I need to, but it would be a good opportunity, so any info on that would also be greatly appreciated. Sorry ask about such a common thing, but I don't seem to have good luck with the search function on here. Thanks!

 

[Timeless]

Check out the link above called "Buell Service Manuals" The procedure is well written.

You won't need any new tools as long as you have the little tool kit that came with the bike.

 

[kab]

I just had the Harley shop by me do my tires and brakes a couple days ago. I thought the price would be outragous because they don't work on buells anymore. I don't have stands or any means to get my bike up to get my wheels off that's why I took it there. New tires and brakes and a pretty damn good wash only costed me 162$.

 

[buell05]

you need a stable front stand along with the rear stand. It's really pretty easy once the bike is up.

 

[WIGGLE2]

Hi! I just did mine for the first time this spring too!I'd always let "them" do it...but money is tight, so I figured I'd invest in a few goodies. They've already paid for themselves! I bought the Pit-Bull that picks up at the "stem".....nice piece! Make sure they give you the right pin for YOUR bike. We have a Yamaha shop here closeby that also has a nice accessory section....jackets,gear,tools,etc., My point is....you don't have to buy them for a "Buell"!! I also got the little MOTO-TOOL socket....it works sweet,cuz the front axle gets torqued in reverse direcion....a lot of "cheaper" torque wrenches don't torque in 'reverse'....but with this little tool, you put your socket in the axle, then run an extension THRU the axle, and torque it "clock-wise" with your torque wrench, but the socket is going "counter-clock_wise"!! I hope I didn't just confuse you, but think it thru!! Get the book,take your time, and you CAN do it!

 

[BitchinXb]

I swear I cant find a shop that can remove a tire from the rim without gouging the rim

 

[WIGGLE2]

YEP! Been there Bitchin! We started doing it by hand (tire irons with sleeves...no machine), JUST to avoid that! I know shops can do it nicely with their changers,but it seems they just don't care?

 

[CrazyTexan]

I used a ratchet strap around the top tripple and list the dront end up with a rafter in the garage, or a shelf, anything strong enough to hook onto. And the rear, i just grab the back tire by the rim and lift it up while a helper skides jack stands under each side of the control arm.

Edit - here's a link with pics.

null

 

[MustangGuy]

Thanks for the info and encouragement! The process is not 100% clear to me yet, but you guys have pointed me in the right direction and I do have the shop manual - although I think it's hard to follow because of the way it's organized - so after I read through everything again, I should understand the procedure. I'm just plan it the first time will take me a long time so that I work my through it. One thing I was wondering about was jacking up the bike. It looks like pressure is put on the muffler - I'm a little surprised about that.

 

[CrazyTexan]

Yea it is a little different, I've dont it, but dont like to, that's why I just lift the back end by lifting it by hand. U can bend over the back tire and lift it up from the rim while helpers slide jacks under the control arm. Then like I said, toss a ratchet strap over a rafter or tree branch or whateve, and grab the handle bars and lift the front that way.

 

[MustangGuy]

I'm kinda liking the idea of lifting the front with a tow strap or something. I have an overhead storage unit that hangs from my garage ceiling ... it's like a heavy duty shelf only bigger and wider. It's rated at 750 lbs. I have about 250 lbs of stuff on it so I thing it will easily hold the partial weight of the bike. If I support the back of the bike on a stand, I can't imagine the actual weight to hold up the front being more than 100 lbs. I've done pull-ups on the unit and it's still very solid. I weight about 180 lbs. My question is though, if I use my rear lift - the simple kind with two wheels and a long bar that you push down on, will I still be able to get the rear wheel off? If not, I may just do one wheel at a time. Thoughts?

 

[CrazyTexan]

Yes you should stikl be able to get it off if the stand does not cover the axle OR the pinch bolt under the axle. Here's a pic of where i hold my bike up.

The floored jack was only there for a "just incase", cuz we had 5 little kids over that day. And my front end in thatpic u can't see is being held up by a strap. There's a jackstand under the front axle, but thats a safty guard if the strap broke.

 

[MustangGuy]

Looks good - thanks for posting the pic!

 

[user_deleted]

mustangguy: just a reminder even though slider bottom cap is appropriately marked: FRONT AXLE LEFT HAND THREADS....REAR AXLE STANDARD RIGHT HAND THREADS. and put a tiny dab of anti-seize on axle threads and a very light coating of grease on axle shaft outer prior to reassembly.

 

[MustangGuy]

Time to refocus on wheel removal for tire changing. It got too hot here too quickly so I didn't move forward on this. It's still too hot to work in the garage (and I can't do this in the kitchen!!) but in a few weeks it will be cool enough. You guys have a lot a great advice and great ideas on supporting the bike for wheel removal. I found another thread where someone advised just getting Pit Bull stands. So, I think I'm going to invest in these instead of a jack (at least for now):

I think they will do the trick. I'm also going to strap the bike to the overhead storage cage in the garage as an extra precaution. Before I order these, think they will work out ok?

 

[oh9bolt]

Get Trex it will save you money and they are just as good of quality.

Both stands and a triple tree adapter to lift it by the triple came with it, the rear has interchangeable pad lift for tire changes and spool lift, and free spools came with them. It was less than $200 shipped for all of it.

 

[MustangGuy]

They look good. I was going to ask how well they worked for wheel removal but I see that the front comes with the triple tree adapted and the rear has a pad lift - which I assume lifts from the swing arm. Do you remember where you got them?

 

[Bolty]

I have the T-rex stands and they work great.

 

[MustangGuy]

Ha ha - I checked and they have their own website. I see that the name is actually "T-Rex". There's a bunch on Ebay too. Seems like they are roughly half the price. For the amount of use I will subject them to, they should be fine. I just need to make sure I get the right ones. As a plus, they should work on my Ninja too. Thanks, Oh9 - you saved me some cash!

 

[oh9bolt]

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