Removing wheels
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
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Removing wheels
First time today. Never again unless I have a lift. Efffff that. I ended up removing left pipe. What a pain in the *** that was, but it was my first time, so there were some lessons learned.
Called the dealer, they wanted 360 to install my tires. Found a local guy that was highly rated and decided to tackle this thing. Dropped the wheels off, checked out his shop, which was pretty cool. Going to pick my wheels up tomorrow. Hopefully I will not have any parts left after I put this thing together.
Question, should I grease the axels when I am putting this mess back together?
Called the dealer, they wanted 360 to install my tires. Found a local guy that was highly rated and decided to tackle this thing. Dropped the wheels off, checked out his shop, which was pretty cool. Going to pick my wheels up tomorrow. Hopefully I will not have any parts left after I put this thing together.
Question, should I grease the axels when I am putting this mess back together?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Do you have the factory service manual and the parts manual??? Two of your best tools in the tool box. Don't see what bike you have, but I would check the wheel bearings thoroughly. If you have over 20,000 miles, I would strongly recommend you replace them. I had front bearings go out on my 2013 Street Glide on a highway in Virginia....doing 70-75 and front shook terrible bad. Took all I had to get to the side of the road and stay on two wheels. So check them well....do a search on this forum and you will get lots of advice. Or you tube this.
But for your axles.....yes, clean them thoroughly and apply some good grease. You don't need to pack them full, but make sure the axles are clean and make sure you get a light, even coating of grease on them. If you don't, you may have the axles rust to the inner bearing race or any spacers there. You would be surprised at how much water actually gets in these areas.
But for your axles.....yes, clean them thoroughly and apply some good grease. You don't need to pack them full, but make sure the axles are clean and make sure you get a light, even coating of grease on them. If you don't, you may have the axles rust to the inner bearing race or any spacers there. You would be surprised at how much water actually gets in these areas.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,118
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From: NoVA
I’ve seen a YouTube video where guy just removed bottom bolts from the shocks, then jack up the bike or the wheel and axle clears slipons just fine. Just curious what was the hassle ? I’m about to do the same in a few weeks, I did order rabakonda tire changer, though, so a lot of uncharted waters ahead for me lol.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 680
Likes: 224
From: Buhl, Idaho
Absolutely. Light coat of anti-seize. Highly recommend you get a FACTORY repair manual, if you don't already have one. It has ALL the information you need to successfully and correctly install the wheels. A good, accurate torque wrench is your friend. Belt tension tool is also handy.
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From: central NC
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Stellar HDF Member
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Thanks fellas. I do have a factory manual but I didnt RTFM in this case 😂
I did loosen the left slip on bolts and pushed the pipe down a little like I saw a dude on YT. Then I took bottom shock bolts out and jacked up rear wheel to bring the end of axle in between the pipe and bag frame.
What was the hassle? The damn bike stand I have is too low to the ground and I couldnt lay the wheel down on its side. But, what I did was, I took the belt drive off while the wheel was inside the fender. That gave me some room.
Anyways, I just wanted to learn how to do this so I tackled it. Really need a lift with drop for the back wheel. It would be so much easier. Or, good bike Jack that brings the bike higher than 1 foot I get from the lets roll type of stand.
While I was doing it, I noticed my pads were low but just the inside pads of all calipers. Both from and rear. I ordered new EBC Double- H sintered pads, so I will tackle that since I have all this apart.
Bike has 9k miles. My front factory tire was cupped but rear still had plenty of life. I wanted to get rid of those tires anyways and swap to Elites.
I did loosen the left slip on bolts and pushed the pipe down a little like I saw a dude on YT. Then I took bottom shock bolts out and jacked up rear wheel to bring the end of axle in between the pipe and bag frame.
What was the hassle? The damn bike stand I have is too low to the ground and I couldnt lay the wheel down on its side. But, what I did was, I took the belt drive off while the wheel was inside the fender. That gave me some room.
Anyways, I just wanted to learn how to do this so I tackled it. Really need a lift with drop for the back wheel. It would be so much easier. Or, good bike Jack that brings the bike higher than 1 foot I get from the lets roll type of stand.
While I was doing it, I noticed my pads were low but just the inside pads of all calipers. Both from and rear. I ordered new EBC Double- H sintered pads, so I will tackle that since I have all this apart.
Bike has 9k miles. My front factory tire was cupped but rear still had plenty of life. I wanted to get rid of those tires anyways and swap to Elites.
Last edited by maxxym; Apr 11, 2023 at 06:26 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 2,465
Ive seen a YouTube video where guy just removed bottom bolts from the shocks, then jack up the bike or the wheel and axle clears slipons just fine. Just curious what was the hassle ? Im about to do the same in a few weeks, I did order rabakonda tire changer, though, so a lot of uncharted waters ahead for me lol.
