I removed the front wheel on my 04 heritage this past sunday. I have to take it in for a new tire. I noticed that there was no sign of antisieze on the axle. every time that I have taken the rear tire of there was antiseize on it,wich I refreshed before re-installing it. does the front axle not need it ?

 

I always put antisieze on the front. And like you I have noticed there is none from the factory.

 

I put that stuff on most everything I assemble. Just insurance I guess.

 

Kinda weird that from the factory, there is no sign of anti-seize, but right in the manual it states apply light coat of anti-seize.

 

I used to coat the axles with grease, but switched to anti seize a long time ago. The third alternative is a sledge hammer, which also requires new bearings... Every used bike I've bought had at least a little rust on the axles, and I've used the sledge hammer alternative more times than I wanted to. On a used bike, I would have replaced the bearings anyway.

I've found a light coat of rust on axles newer than yours; if yours doesn't have any, this is a good time to anti-seize them, or they probably will next time the wheel comes off. I clean off rust with WD40 and a scotchbrite pad, or if too heavy for that, a wire wheel (not heavy wire!) on a bench grinder. Axles should slide in and out without resistance when they're dry - but not be loose and wobbly, of course.

 

thanks for the replies guys. I bought this bike used and this is the first time that I have taken the front off. there was no sign of rust and the axle came out easily. I will put the antiseize on the axle before I re install it. again thanks.

 

First time I pulled my front axle there was anti-seize on it.
Not much, but it was there.

 

Damn it, man, everything gets an anti-sieze or one of two loctites...lmfao
That's just a given

 

Which do I use on my gas cap?