Rear Wheel Fun

[SteelTraveler]

I'm recovering from eye surgery, so I haven't ridden much in the last two weeks.

Went for a short ride yesterday and, damn it, about 2 miles from my house, I ran over a hunk a metal in the street that I didn't see. I immediately started losing air, so I turned around and headed home. Frankly, I think the last couple of blocks, I was at zero air pressure. Checked the tire and there is a 1/2 inch gash in the center of the tread.

So it looks like I will get to have a little fun laying down the Wing on it's side and pulling off the rear wheel. I've never had a reason to do this before, but I'm sure I can do it..

Since I didn't have a 1/2" torque wrench, I had to order one yesterday.

For you guys that have done this, I have one question. It seems like it would make sense to break the lug nuts free while the bike is on the side stand (and the rear tire is still on the ground) and then lay it over; and then finish removing them.

That way they are already slightly loose when the bike is laid on it's side. Is that the way you guys do it?

[speckfisher]

Yes Sir you can. I usually break them while the bike is on it's side/center stand and in 1st gear. Easy to spin the tire to the next lug nut.

[530ktm]

I'm recovering from eye surgery, so I haven't ridden much in the last two weeks.

Went for a short ride yesterday and, damn it, about 2 miles from my house, I ran over a hunk a metal in the street that I didn't see. I immediately started losing air, so I turned around and headed home. Frankly, I think the last couple of blocks, I was at zero air pressure. Checked the tire and there is a 1/2 inch gash in the center of the tread.

So it looks like I will get to have a little fun laying down the Wing on it's side and pulling off the rear wheel. I've never had a reason to do this before, but I'm sure I can do it..

Since I didn't have a 1/2" torque wrench, I had to order one yesterday.

For you guys that have done this, I have one question. It seems like it would make sense to break the lug nuts free while the bike is on the side stand (and the rear tire is still on the ground) and then lay it over; and then finish removing them.

That way they are already slightly loose when the bike is laid on it's side. Is that the way you guys do it?

That is the way I have done it, and I then snug them up when it is on it's side as well. Once it is back up is when I torque the lugs to proper specs which is around 85 or 90 off the top of my head. You can actually torque them on the center stand in gear too.

[WB-Ron]

Best to do this with half a tank or less of gas in the bike. When you lay the bike over, lay it on the RH side (opposite the side stand). Once it's on it's side, grab the center stand and pull it down. That will give you a little more ground clearance while you're working. I always loosen and re-tighten the lug nuts with the bike laying on it's side and in first gear. I believe that the correct torque is 80 ft lbs, but I don't have a manual in front of me right now.

[Kiwi]

Yep. That's what I do. Break the nuts - then lay her down. I put some spare carpet under the area where the bars come down. In gear for lifting and lowering assures it wont roll away from you.

[jmohme]

Put the bike in reverse and then break the lugs loose either on the stand or after you lay it over.

[Rick Mays]

I have known a few that dropped the wing on the left side and on top of themselves by unloosening the lug nuts while on the side stand. To prevent this, take a ratchet strap and strap the side stand to the front crash bar, that way when you get to hossing on the lug wrench you won't rock your wing forward and off the side stand. If using the center stand, do the same thing when working on the bike, it will keep you from rocking it off the center stand as well.

[1096dad]

This video was very helpful to me the first time I did this. Ditto on the less than 1/2 a tank comment to otherwise you may have a little fuel leak to clean up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUcGe-EcBy8

[pidjones]

Corrected link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TShysJyHb-0&t=199s

[hparsons]

Best to do this with half a tank or less of gas in the bike. When you lay the bike over, lay it on the RH side (opposite the side stand). Once it's on it's side, grab the center stand and pull it down. That will give you a little more ground clearance while you're working. I always loosen and re-tighten the lug nuts with the bike laying on it's side and in first gear. I believe that the correct torque is 80 ft lbs, but I don't have a manual in front of me right now.

And when you get done, don't forget to put the center stand back!!! I changed my back tire a couple weeks ago, and forgot about the center stand. Went to put it back up (by myself), and it wouldn't go up. Tried four or five times before I realized that it wasn't just heavier! By this time, I had wore myself out trying to lift it, and had to go ask for help.

Humiliating...

[Kiwi]

Just thinking. Last time I put some 2x4 timber down under the carpet. It makes the lift a little higher ( and easier ) when your done.

[jmohme]

I have known a few that dropped the wing on the left side and on top of themselves by unloosening the lug nuts while on the side stand. To prevent this, take a ratchet strap and strap the side stand to the front crash bar, that way when you get to hossing on the lug wrench you won't rock your wing forward and off the side stand. If using the center stand, do the same thing when working on the bike, it will keep you from rocking it off the center stand as well.

Good advice!

[WB-Ron]

And when you get done, don't forget to put the center stand back!!! I changed my back tire a couple weeks ago, and forgot about the center stand. Went to put it back up (by myself), and it wouldn't go up. Tried four or five times before I realized that it wasn't just heavier! By this time, I had wore myself out trying to lift it, and had to go ask for help.

Humiliating...

Thanks for the chuckle, HParsons. Life is full of little moments like that.

[glarson3]

I lay it over before I try to break the lugs. It's easier to get to them, and since I put the tire on last time, I know it's only going to be 80 ft/lbs, which isn't tough to break. I'm paranoid about pulling the bike on top of me, or having it fall on it's side without my help lowering it softly.

[530ktm]

And when you get done, don't forget to put the center stand back!!! I changed my back tire a couple weeks ago, and forgot about the center stand. Went to put it back up (by myself), and it wouldn't go up. Tried four or five times before I realized that it wasn't just heavier! By this time, I had wore myself out trying to lift it, and had to go ask for help.

Humiliating...

That just cracked me up when I read this, the visual is priceless.

[hparsons]

Thanks for the chuckle, HParsons. Life is full of little moments like that.

That just cracked me up when I read this, the visual is priceless.

You guys would have loved the sheepish expression on my face when I asked the neighbor to come help me raise it, I'm sure. I was totally embarrassed

[SteelTraveler]

Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful.

The 1/2" torque wrench that I ordered will be here next week and this will give me a little more time to recover from my eye surgery; so the end of next week I'll give it a try.

Might have my wife video me laying down the Wing. It's going to feel a little weird doing something like that on purpose.

I've got some pipe insulation in the garage. I plan on wrapping the engine guards and saddlebag guards with some pipe insulation just to give it a little extra cushion.

BTW, because of some comments on this thread, I just checked my fuel level. Less than 1/4 tank, so I'm good.

Thanks again.

[BMXDad]

And when you get done, don't forget to put the center stand back!!! I changed my back tire a couple weeks ago, and forgot about the center stand. Went to put it back up (by myself), and it wouldn't go up. Tried four or five times before I realized that it wasn't just heavier! By this time, I had wore myself out trying to lift it, and had to go ask for help.

Humiliating...

Tried doing the same thing last week.....of course, for the first two attempts, my "helper" just stood there and watched...he then says "I don't think you have enough lead in your pencil....maybe if you fold up the center stand??"

Um.....yea........

[530ktm]

Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful.

The 1/2" torque wrench that I ordered will be here next week and this will give me a little more time to recover from my eye surgery; so the end of next week I'll give it a try.

Might have my wife video me laying down the Wing. It's going to feel a little weird doing something like that on purpose.

I've got some pipe insulation in the garage. I plan on wrapping the engine guards and saddlebag guards with some pipe insulation just to give it a little extra cushion.

BTW, because of some comments on this thread, I just checked my fuel level. Less than 1/4 tank, so I'm good.

Thanks again.

Not sure if this has been mentioned but if you have highway pegs on the crash bar you need to take the right one of so it does not lay on it.

[SteelTraveler]

It's been almost 5 years since I visited this forum. Thanks for the replies. Rear tire removal worked out fine.