1985 Electra Glide Classic Rear Wheel Mounting ...
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
1985 Electra Glide Classic Rear Wheel Mounting ...
Hey Guys ( Newbie Still Learnin' )
I'm in trouble again guys - Mounting the rear wheel ~ NEED HELP ON THIS ONE
Here's the problem so far.
I can't get the rear wheel into the BRAKE CALLIPER
.
I have new brake pads also for the rear and front of the bike.
My bike is: '85 Electra Glide Classic
1. Do I have to disconnect the entire brake assembly in order to get
the rear wheel on the bike ?
2. Should I replace the brake pads FIRST and then try to get the rear wheel
back in the brake caliper ?
HELP GUYS
I'm in trouble again guys - Mounting the rear wheel ~ NEED HELP ON THIS ONE
Here's the problem so far.
I can't get the rear wheel into the BRAKE CALLIPER
.
I have new brake pads also for the rear and front of the bike.
My bike is: '85 Electra Glide Classic
1. Do I have to disconnect the entire brake assembly in order to get
the rear wheel on the bike ?
2. Should I replace the brake pads FIRST and then try to get the rear wheel
back in the brake caliper ?
HELP GUYS
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Hi Schooner, take a deep breath! I strained my back trying this very job a couple of years ago, despite having owned Harleys since the 70s, so feel for you. Looks like your bike is lifted quite high, which is wise for getting the wheel out and back into the frame, but makes life difficult aligning the wheel. I use short lengths of wood, lift the wheel up onto them and keep packing until the wheel is close to the correct level for getting the axle in. That way you are not struggling with the weight of the wheel and trying to do something else with it. Think of building the pyramids! You should then be able to get the caliper onto the rotor, before fitting the axle.
Hope that answers your query.
Hope that answers your query.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
From the last picture you posted, looks to me like you need to push the pistons back into the caliper to get the disc back in. If you put a 3 ft long 2by4 under the wheel, you can use that to lift and guide the wheel up, and the rotor back into place. If your working by yourself and can't make it happen, then taking the caliper off will get it done.,,
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Hi Schooner, I've tried a couple differnt ways of putting the wheel on, as mentioned lowering the bike so wheel is sitting on 2x4 helps greatly, but talking the bolt pins out of the calipers and removing the pads makes a huge differnce, although I have pushed the brake pads into there cylinders and managed to get the rotor in between them. That axle is and a heavy duty screw driver will help you out alot, start the axle through the primary side and use the screw driver to help line up the brake side.
Good luck your almost ready to ride.
Good luck your almost ready to ride.
Last edited by RidemyEVO; Mar 31, 2011 at 08:18 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Yeah, push the caliper piston back in a little with a screwdriver, and leave the screwdriver in there to keep the pads separate. I put my tire on a floor jack, then raise the tire up into position with the jack, guiding the disk between the pads.
However, if you're going to replace the brake pads anyway, then take the caliper off the mount, put the wheel on, replace the pads and put the caliper back on.
However, if you're going to replace the brake pads anyway, then take the caliper off the mount, put the wheel on, replace the pads and put the caliper back on.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
Hi Schooner, take a deep breath! I strained my back trying this very job a couple of years ago, despite having owned Harleys since the 70s, so feel for you. Looks like your bike is lifted quite high, which is wise for getting the wheel out and back into the frame, but makes life difficult aligning the wheel. I use short lengths of wood, lift the wheel up onto them and keep packing until the wheel is close to the correct level for getting the axle in. That way you are not struggling with the weight of the wheel and trying to do something else with it. Think of building the pyramids! You should then be able to get the caliper onto the rotor, before fitting the axle.
Hope that answers your query.
Hope that answers your query.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
Yeah, push the caliper piston back in a little with a screwdriver, and leave the screwdriver in there to keep the pads separate. I put my tire on a floor jack, then raise the tire up into position with the jack, guiding the disk between the pads.
However, if you're going to replace the brake pads anyway, then take the caliper off the mount, put the wheel on, replace the pads and put the caliper back on.
However, if you're going to replace the brake pads anyway, then take the caliper off the mount, put the wheel on, replace the pads and put the caliper back on.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
The Deed Is DONE . . . THANKS -2-U- REAR WHEEL
Hey Grbrown (Newbie Did It) 
I took you great suggestion and used a 2x4 piece of lumber and it made it MUCH EASIER getting my rear tire in place ~ wouldn't or couldn't do it without you and the other great guys on this forum.
The axle is thru the swingarm just got to do (2) two more things to complete the rear wheel assembly.
1. Torque-up the bolts on the axle and the others on either side that alines
the wheel.
2. Install new rear brake pads.
The front has to get new brake pads also, which I'll do after I do the rear.
Check-out the 2x4 in the lower left hand corner of the pic. I used it to hold the wheel in place as I taped the axle thru the swingarm. HORAY
Now I just have to install the new rear brake pads into the calliper and then get the brake pads onto the BRAKE ROTO . . . Humm!
I took you great suggestion and used a 2x4 piece of lumber and it made it MUCH EASIER getting my rear tire in place ~ wouldn't or couldn't do it without you and the other great guys on this forum.
The axle is thru the swingarm just got to do (2) two more things to complete the rear wheel assembly.
1. Torque-up the bolts on the axle and the others on either side that alines
the wheel.
2. Install new rear brake pads.
The front has to get new brake pads also, which I'll do after I do the rear.
Check-out the 2x4 in the lower left hand corner of the pic. I used it to hold the wheel in place as I taped the axle thru the swingarm. HORAY
Now I just have to install the new rear brake pads into the calliper and then get the brake pads onto the BRAKE ROTO . . . Humm!
Hi Schooner, take a deep breath! I strained my back trying this very job a couple of years ago, despite having owned Harleys since the 70s, so feel for you. Looks like your bike is lifted quite high, which is wise for getting the wheel out and back into the frame, but makes life difficult aligning the wheel. I use short lengths of wood, lift the wheel up onto them and keep packing until the wheel is close to the correct level for getting the axle in. That way you are not struggling with the weight of the wheel and trying to do something else with it. Think of building the pyramids! You should then be able to get the caliper onto the rotor, before fitting the axle.
Hope that answers your query.
Hope that answers your query.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Good stuff Schooner. Good feeling knowing you did the job yourself huh?
Front wheel is actually a lot easier, same idea compress the pucks in. You may want to check the color of your brake fluid to make sure its nice and clean.
Front wheel is actually a lot easier, same idea compress the pucks in. You may want to check the color of your brake fluid to make sure its nice and clean.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Thank You My Good Man . . .
Hey Big Cahuna 
Most times its RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AND i DON'T SEE IT
It was so much easier when I took the calliper off the swingarm; cleaned the hell out of it and then I put the rear wheel right into position on the swingarm.
All I have to do tomorrow is torque-up the bolts and then on to the new brake pads for front and rear
Using that 2x4 in the picture was a great help.
Check-out some of my pictures. I take as many as possible when I'm disassembiliing parts.
I can't keep it in my ol' fart brain where everything goes. So I turn on my P.C. and check on my photos.
Enjoy.
P.S. THANKS AGAIN GUYS
Most times its RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AND i DON'T SEE IT
It was so much easier when I took the calliper off the swingarm; cleaned the hell out of it and then I put the rear wheel right into position on the swingarm.
All I have to do tomorrow is torque-up the bolts and then on to the new brake pads for front and rear
Using that 2x4 in the picture was a great help.
Check-out some of my pictures. I take as many as possible when I'm disassembiliing parts.
I can't keep it in my ol' fart brain where everything goes. So I turn on my P.C. and check on my photos.
Enjoy.
P.S. THANKS AGAIN GUYS
From the last picture you posted, looks to me like you need to push the pistons back into the caliper to get the disc back in. If you put a 3 ft long 2by4 under the wheel, you can use that to lift and guide the wheel up, and the rotor back into place. If your working by yourself and can't make it happen, then taking the caliper off will get it done.,,