Rear wheel removal
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant, NC
Rear wheel removal
Getting ready to do my first tire change on my 08 Ultra. Have read the service manual a few times and need some advice. The manual says to use a special tool, attached to a breaker bar to loosen (attached to torque wrench to tighten) the cone and weld nuts. I'm wondering if most of you use that tool, or whether there is another "tried and true" method that works. The manual also suggests that I'll have to remove the left muffler. I haven't done that yet (no money for slip ons....yet), and it doesn't look too bad, but are you guys doing that - or is there a better way? If I do remove the muffler, do I need to buy a new clamp as suggested?
At 11000 miles would I be better off just buying some brake pads and changing them if they're even close to being worn out?
Regarding tensioning, do most of you use the Harley tensioning tool or the twist method? Can someone describe the twist method?
Thanks!
At 11000 miles would I be better off just buying some brake pads and changing them if they're even close to being worn out?
Regarding tensioning, do most of you use the Harley tensioning tool or the twist method? Can someone describe the twist method?
Thanks!
Last edited by NCTim; Oct 20, 2009 at 09:17 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: U.S.S.A.
Personally, I remove the slip ons. Takes five minutes max, though if you haven't done yours ever, the first time can be a little harder. Buy the belt deflection tool and be done with it - it costs like $10 or something. The rear tire is a PITA to get in and out if you're working alone - just make sure your bike is secure and if you have a friend to assist wrestling the wheel back into place, all the better. It's one of those jobs you need 3 hands for.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
From: Fresno, Ca.
I found removing the top bolt on the shocks easier than removing the muffler. I use a lift for the bike and a small screw jack ( ebay search under motorcycle scissor lift) under the back tire to lower and raise it. Kinda like a third hand. Makes it real easy to replace the wheel. If you decide to replace the pads try Lyndall. No squeak, very little dust, and very good stopping.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
You will need to jack the bike way up to get the wheel out from under the rear fender.
I find that another person is an absolutely needed. Also, I have a small floor jack I use to jack the tire up into position.
If you're going to remove the mufflers, give them a squirt of penitrating oil a few times over say a day or two before you take them off, and clean any oil and oily finger prints off with Isopropyl alcohol before you ride to avoid staining the pipes permanently.
I find that another person is an absolutely needed. Also, I have a small floor jack I use to jack the tire up into position.
If you're going to remove the mufflers, give them a squirt of penitrating oil a few times over say a day or two before you take them off, and clean any oil and oily finger prints off with Isopropyl alcohol before you ride to avoid staining the pipes permanently.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,994
From: King George, VA
I wouldn't use a torque wrench to undo a nut. Use a breaker bar.
Instead of buying another jack to lift the tire, you might want to try a 2X4 on the floor then wedge another piece of wood under the end of it to make the small adjustments ya just can't do with the bike lift.
Be careful taking the retainer ring off the axle. It can spring further than you think.
Instead of buying another jack to lift the tire, you might want to try a 2X4 on the floor then wedge another piece of wood under the end of it to make the small adjustments ya just can't do with the bike lift.
Be careful taking the retainer ring off the axle. It can spring further than you think.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 9
From: Staten island NY
invest in the muffler clamps when you reattach your mufflers.. a small investment and piece of mind
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Chesapeake, VA
I found removing the top bolt on the shocks easier than removing the muffler. I use a lift for the bike and a small screw jack ( ebay search under motorcycle scissor lift) under the back tire to lower and raise it. Kinda like a third hand. Makes it real easy to replace the wheel. If you decide to replace the pads try Lyndall. No squeak, very little dust, and very good stopping.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 3
From: North TX
First time you do it, it will be a pain. After that you find things you won't need to do. I don't remove my left side muffler, I just remove the back screws and let it hang down an inch or so with a bungie cord. I do it by myself but you do need a good jack that is easy to adjust. To line the axle back up I put the tire in the wheel well and lower the jack until the axle is lined up and then push it in.
First time I did this it took me about 4 hours, the second time I was down to 45 minutes.
First time I did this it took me about 4 hours, the second time I was down to 45 minutes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
I found it extremely easy. Bike on jack. Remove both bags. Use a sharpie pen to mark the cam position on the axle. Also mark the side and position of the washers(it will help when you go back together). Remove both slip ons. Remove brake caliper. remove axel (i bought 2-36mm sockets from sears.com). I used a small jack under rear tire to lower after i removed axel. After i changed out the tire i reversed the process. Marking the washers made it quick. Changing my own tire made it really quick. The whole thing took about 2hrs.