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

Rear wheel removal...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 01:44 AM
  #1  
anubisss's Avatar
anubisss
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default Rear wheel removal...

I was looking in my manual and it says to remove the belt guard and the plastic fender before removing the rear wheel. Is this absolutely necessary? I obviously am yet to remove it. I am going for tires, and want to save the green by bringing just my wheels. The front one is a cinch. Thanks...
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 08:36 AM
  #2  
back again's Avatar
back again
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Top Answer: 10
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,322
From: Georgia
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

i can't get the wheel foward enough to get the belt off on mine without removing it.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 10:35 AM
  #3  
SCJE8's Avatar
SCJE8
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 4
From: Pensacola, Florida
Riders Club Member
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

Same here, Anubisss. I don't have any wiggle room to slide the tire out until I remove the upper and lower guards. I think there are a total of 4 bolts/nuts on my Fat Boy holding the guards in place. Real simple to do...and on mine I need every fraction of an inch I can get!

Take note...make sure to use the correct socket/wrench on the two 12 point bolts holding the rear caliper in place! They cost $1.97 each at the local HD dealer if you booger them up. I am NOT admitting as to how I know that!

Good luck...

Steve
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 11:01 AM
  #4  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

Your going to at least have to take off the belt guard, or remove its rear mounting bolts and loosen the front enough totip it up (if you can)enough toslip thebelt off the sprocket.
You "might" be able to get it off without doing it, but I'll bet its a hell of a lot easier to do put it back on with the guardout, or at least out of the way.
That's one of the reasons I like the shorter/smaller bobtail fender of the Standard and Custom, and Wideglide. Being as small as they aregives youa bit morewiggle room toget the wheel in or out.
That was one of the few true virtues of my old Yamaha. It has shaft drive and taking the rear wheel off was a snap. One small cotter pin for the brake rod, pull the axle out, and it would fall out the bottom. No muss or fuss in or out in under 10 minuts.
Looking at mine I noticed that the axle was put in from the muffler side. Wonder who'sdumb idea that was. The way it is if I want, or need to take the wheel off I have to take the mufflers off first.
Is there some obscure engineering reason for putting it in that way?
If not I think the first time I do any work on the pipesit might not be a bad idea toswitch the axle shaft around. Would makegetting the wheel off later a lot easier if you didn't have to do that.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 12:54 PM
  #5  
texflstf's Avatar
texflstf
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: H-Town
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

ORIGINAL: Citoriplus

Looking at mine I noticed that the axle was put in from the muffler side. Wonder who'sdumb idea that was. The way it is if I want, or need to take the wheel off I have to take the mufflers off first.
Is there some obscure engineering reason for putting it in that way?
So they can bill you an extra 1 hour labor if you havethem do it and not do it yourself.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 01:05 PM
  #6  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

ORIGINAL: texflstf
So they can bill you an extra 1 hour labor if you havethem do it and not do it yourself.
Unfortunatly that's exactlywhat I expected to hear.
Shows you the kind of"respect" we have forHarley's production engineering.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 01:07 PM
  #7  
dert's Avatar
dert
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

have em mount it.Ours are mounted free.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 01:57 PM
  #8  
HarleyWood's Avatar
HarleyWood
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

ORIGINAL: Citoriplus


Looking at mine I noticed that the axle was put in from the muffler side. Wonder who'sdumb idea that was. The way it is if I want, or need to take the wheel off I have to take the mufflers off first.
Is there some obscure engineering reason for putting it in that way?
If not I think the first time I do any work on the pipesit might not be a bad idea toswitch the axle shaft around. Would makegetting the wheel off later a lot easier if you didn't have to do that.
I read on here that it was because of the wheel rotation, but since it has a pin it I don't see why that would matter.
You can turn it around, so next time it's easier, but you will need a way to torque the nut to 65lbs...
there is an attachment that you can get (I forget the name)..but its a specialty tool carried by the likes of Snap-On...and its expensive.

I turned mine around...so next time I'l have to deal with how to torque the nut.
 
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 23, 2007 | 02:13 PM
  #9  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

ORIGINAL: HarleyWood
I read on here that it was because of the wheel rotation, but since it has a pin it I don't see why that would matter.
You can turn it around, so next time it's easier, but you will need a way to torque the nut to 65lbs...
OK, that makessense, engineering wise, and waswhy I asked the question.
Your right about the cotter pin, but its one of the things I ALWAYS look at before and after I ride the bike.
Wouldn't do me a hell of a lot of good to have something like that come loose while I'm leaned over in a corner, now would it.
If there is anthing my father taught me well was that the older you get the more religious you get. Being an engineer and a devout coward, he said it never hurt to make sure things were where they weresupposed to be. But it sure as hell would hurt you if you didn't.

Thank You
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2007 | 02:28 PM
  #10  
texflstf's Avatar
texflstf
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: H-Town
Default RE: Rear wheel removal...

ORIGINAL: Citoriplus

ORIGINAL: texflstf
So they can bill you an extra 1 hour labor if you havethem do it and not do it yourself.
Unfortunatly that's exactlywhat I expected to hear.
Shows you the kind of"respect" we have forHarley's production engineering.
I have a lot of respect for Harley. I respect them for having a business plan that works along with a well engineered machine to support it. I don't think for a minute that they engineer their bikes so they cannot make money off of them after they are sold. From a business stand point it is a great plan. Create a culture and keep the customers coming back. Why do you think there are "specialty tools" that you have to buy for certain applications? Don't think for a minute that the production engineering staff doesn't engineer things so it will seem too time consuming ordifficultfor the average person and lead them back to the Harley service center. Don't think they will not engineer things that will positively effect their bottom line. It only makes good business sense. I do respect them, and any work that I can perform I will do it. Have I addd things and paid them to do the work..absolutely.

I am not bashing Harley.

If you can find a dealer (and there are alot of them out there) that will do the work at n/c then great. It ties back into creating a culture and keeping you coming back and that particular dealer understands it. Unfortunately there are alot of dealers that do not get it and will try to nickel and dime you to death forcing you to go somewhere else or do the work yourself.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:02 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