Back tire
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Back tire
Hey, I have an '08 Nightster and I have a service manual, but I am just wondering, from those who have done it, is it a pain in the *** the remove and replace the rear tire? The tire on it now is worn out, I got myself a brand new tire thru my work and would like to replace it myself, or at the very least remove the wheel and take it to have it replaced, Just looking for some insight. I am mechanically inclined, I worked as an auto mechanic for several years so I am confident in my abilities I just have never had the experience of have to put a wheel back on like this, how hard is it to tension the belt correctly and get the wheel lined up properly?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,271
Likes: 29
From: Green Country,Oklahoma
It's not hard if you have the manuel.You will need a new crush gasket for the rear muffler at the crossover,as far as the tension,get the tool from Harley,takes the guess work out of the tension,you will need a long welding rod or some such to get your alignment,you could try just marking where it is set now and putting back like that,but I don't like to trust that someone else did it right.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 1
From:
Back off both adjusters the same number of turns and write the number down, upon re-assembly tighten adjusters back same number of turns and you are back to where you started. Then get the belt tension check tool and check belt tension, as for alignment, if it wasn't a problem before you started it shouldn't be a problem after.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Provided your belt tension is correct now (it should be at this point, kevlar belts don't stretch), if you are careful, you can R&R the rear wheel without needing to worry about belt tension or wheel alignment.
Simply mark each tension adjuster nut at say the 12:00 position. Now back each nut off exactly the same number off turns (about 10-12). When you get the wheel remounted simply re-tighten both nuts exactly the same number of turns you loosened them.
Your biggest potential problem may be removing the rear axle. The factory is notorious for not putting any anti-seize on it and you may have to literally "beat" it out. Always use some anti-seize on the axle before reinstalling it.
Simply mark each tension adjuster nut at say the 12:00 position. Now back each nut off exactly the same number off turns (about 10-12). When you get the wheel remounted simply re-tighten both nuts exactly the same number of turns you loosened them.
Your biggest potential problem may be removing the rear axle. The factory is notorious for not putting any anti-seize on it and you may have to literally "beat" it out. Always use some anti-seize on the axle before reinstalling it.
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Road Warrior
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
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From: Mount Holly, NC
dude you can forget changing that tire yourself. break the wheel down and take it to a tire shop. don't forget to get a new inner tube. don't have it balanced on a machine get a balancer for motorcycle wheels from harbor freight and do it yourself. its easy as pie and far more accurate. rear wheel alignment is a bit of a pain but the tool shown above is a great idea.