bdevries
Junior Member
Hey guys,
Here is my novice take on a front wheel removal how-to! As someone new to bikes, this turned out to be extremely easy, but I know it's nice to see it online before attempting it in person. I don't know how to attach photos in line with text so I just added them at the end of the post.
Here we go.
**Do not squeeze your front brake while the wheel is off. It's not the end of the world but a hassle to push the callipers back in.
1. Loosen the allen bolt below the axle.
2. Loosen the axle bolt before lifting the front end. I had read on the boards here that a 5/8 spark plug socket with an extension in backwards can be used. Unfortunately, all of my sockets were machined in a way that doesnt allow this. So, I ended up just cutting off the end of the socket and fitting the extension in. Worked great.
3. I used the centre stand and then a standard car jack under the headers. It's only about 30-40 lbs so it's not going to be too much pressure. Put a rag over your jack if you want to protect the headers from scratches. Jack it up!
4. Remove the calliper bolts being careful not to break off the little reflector that so inconveniently blocks them! It is possible to slide the callipers off the rotors and out of the way without removing the wheel first. I just found this easier to do first. Be prepared to fight these guys lose. I had a wrench on them and gently tapped it with a rubber mallet.
5. Unscrew the axle the rest of the way. The axle should just slide out easily if you support the front wheel as you pull on the axle. Be careful with spacers as it is possibly for them to fall out.
6. At this point, your wheel should be free to take out from between the forks.
7. Clean all that stuff that you normally can't reach! I spent about 10 minutes using s100 total cycle cleaner to remove brake dust and clean the inside areas of the fork and front fender. Don't scrub too hard though, you're bike isn't as stable as it is with the front end on the ground IMO. I also cleaned my axle and spacers with a clean rag(no chemicals) to remove any dust or dirt and reapplied white spray grease to everything except the threads of the bolts.
8. To reinstall, simply follow the steps in the reverse order and be sure to follow manufacturer specs for torquing. Lock-tite should be used on brake calliper bolts when reinstalling.
If others have tips and advice to add, that would be awesome! Also, my terminology may be off so let me know and I can change it!
Good luck all!
Here is my novice take on a front wheel removal how-to! As someone new to bikes, this turned out to be extremely easy, but I know it's nice to see it online before attempting it in person. I don't know how to attach photos in line with text so I just added them at the end of the post.
Here we go.
**Do not squeeze your front brake while the wheel is off. It's not the end of the world but a hassle to push the callipers back in.
1. Loosen the allen bolt below the axle.
2. Loosen the axle bolt before lifting the front end. I had read on the boards here that a 5/8 spark plug socket with an extension in backwards can be used. Unfortunately, all of my sockets were machined in a way that doesnt allow this. So, I ended up just cutting off the end of the socket and fitting the extension in. Worked great.
3. I used the centre stand and then a standard car jack under the headers. It's only about 30-40 lbs so it's not going to be too much pressure. Put a rag over your jack if you want to protect the headers from scratches. Jack it up!
4. Remove the calliper bolts being careful not to break off the little reflector that so inconveniently blocks them! It is possible to slide the callipers off the rotors and out of the way without removing the wheel first. I just found this easier to do first. Be prepared to fight these guys lose. I had a wrench on them and gently tapped it with a rubber mallet.
5. Unscrew the axle the rest of the way. The axle should just slide out easily if you support the front wheel as you pull on the axle. Be careful with spacers as it is possibly for them to fall out.
6. At this point, your wheel should be free to take out from between the forks.
7. Clean all that stuff that you normally can't reach! I spent about 10 minutes using s100 total cycle cleaner to remove brake dust and clean the inside areas of the fork and front fender. Don't scrub too hard though, you're bike isn't as stable as it is with the front end on the ground IMO. I also cleaned my axle and spacers with a clean rag(no chemicals) to remove any dust or dirt and reapplied white spray grease to everything except the threads of the bolts.
8. To reinstall, simply follow the steps in the reverse order and be sure to follow manufacturer specs for torquing. Lock-tite should be used on brake calliper bolts when reinstalling.
If others have tips and advice to add, that would be awesome! Also, my terminology may be off so let me know and I can change it!
Good luck all!