Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help!! Softtail Rear wheel removal/installation!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 08:54 AM
  #1  
ckamin's Avatar
ckamin
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 11
From: Rapid City, SD
Default Help!! Softtail Rear wheel removal/installation!!

In an effort to work on my own bike and save some $$$ at the same time, I want to r&r my rear wheel since it needs a tire. Couple questions.....

1) I have a '06 Springer Classic... will your typical Craftsman-style jack raise the bike high enough to remove the rear wheel from the full rear fender?

2) Any suggestions for replacing the tire and making sure that the belt is properly adjusted and that the rear whell is aligned? Does one mark the adjusting bolts on the swingarm prior to removing the wheel prior to removal so that they can be re-adjusted to their previous position?

Before going on a few trips in the spring, I want to replace my rear tire. I have about 8000+ miles on the bike, so this will be my first rear wheel r&r on a Softtail.

Thanks!

Carl
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 09:12 AM
  #2  
chillman9's Avatar
chillman9
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From:
Default

I would suggest you start with a repair manual for your bike...easy to follow instructions on removal and reassembly with all the proper adjustments.
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 09:15 AM
  #3  
ckamin's Avatar
ckamin
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 11
From: Rapid City, SD
Default

Yeah, I have the service manual and have read it, but I was looking for the "real world" advice that service manuals usually lack. The H-D book is pretty good, but it is still a corporate publication.
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 09:29 AM
  #4  
chillman9's Avatar
chillman9
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From:
Default

Originally Posted by ckamin
In an effort to work on my own bike and save some $$$ at the same time, I want to r&r my rear wheel since it needs a tire. Couple questions.....

1) I have a '06 Springer Classic... will your typical Craftsman-style jack raise the bike high enough to remove the rear wheel from the full rear fender?

2) Any suggestions for replacing the tire and making sure that the belt is properly adjusted and that the rear whell is aligned? Does one mark the adjusting bolts on the swingarm prior to removing the wheel prior to removal so that they can be re-adjusted to their previous position?

Before going on a few trips in the spring, I want to replace my rear tire. I have about 8000+ miles on the bike, so this will be my first rear wheel r&r on a Softtail.

Thanks!

Carl
1) I have a '06 Springer Classic... will your typical Craftsman-style jack raise the bike high enough to remove the rear wheel from the full rear fender?
*raise the bike on the jack to see if the fender is high enough to clear the tire hieght...i'm not sure with this style jack

2) Any suggestions for replacing the tire and making sure that the belt is properly adjusted and that the rear whell is aligned? Does one mark the adjusting bolts on the swingarm prior to removing the wheel prior to removal so that they can be re-adjusted to their previous position?
*I have heard of guys just marking the adjusting bolts and counting the turns out and then just adjusting them back the same amount....be sure you take note of where your spacers are and would be a good idea to repack the bearings while you have the wheel off.
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 09:31 AM
  #5  
softail04's Avatar
softail04
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 3
From: lakeside ca.
Default

the way I have been doing it for years is
remove lower belt guard (left mine off) remove axel, put it back in from left side so you don't have to remove exhaust next time.. leave the belt adjustment alone and drop the rear wheel straight down (never have to touch belt adjustment. worst part is getting the calipher back on .. I have a std but they are all much the same
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 09:38 AM
  #6  
chillman9's Avatar
chillman9
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From:
Default

Check out this thread
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...-in-the-a.html
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 12:37 PM
  #7  
ckamin's Avatar
ckamin
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 11
From: Rapid City, SD
Default

Thanks for the advice! The link to the other thread proved helpful, too.

-Carl
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 01:22 PM
  #8  
rcc's Avatar
rcc
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Oregon City, Oregon
Default

Softail04 has it right, don't touch the adjustment screws. You can get the belt off and on without messing with them. I use the yellow Sears jack on my Heritage. I also use a floor jack and support the tire and lower it on the floor jack. Put the axle in backwards like he said.

Ron
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 28, 2010 | 10:09 PM
  #9  
kiwideuce's Avatar
kiwideuce
Seasoned HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,361
Likes: 117
From: auckland,new zealand
Default

some great advice there i will find useful too
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
billbrummett
Softail Models
1
Aug 8, 2018 05:13 AM
Dozer1
Softail Models
25
Jan 29, 2010 07:02 PM
gplarryv
Dyna Glide Models
5
Apr 2, 2009 09:17 AM
ken thompson
Touring Models
11
Apr 15, 2007 01:49 PM
WarriorHD
Sportster Models
3
Mar 16, 2007 08:13 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:04 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE