Your top tips for both wheels removal...?

3902 Views 27 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Tim1971, 3 mo ago

Tim1971

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Hi everyone.

It's tyre change time for me, going from the OEM BattleWings (I came off on Sunday - ouch! - so don't trust them any more!) and I'll be trying the Metzeler Tourance Next 2, front and rear. My advanced instructor from Rapid Training said they'd change my life, I could retire early, I'd be able to corner like Rossi, I'd meet the most gorgeous girls, etc etc etc....

I've got the DL1000A-L9 on a 2020 plate, so the last of the most recent model before the facelift (don't like that new headlamp!) and where I get my tyres from and fitted is only happy for me to bring in bare wheels, not the whole bike.

So, having read up as much as I can on here for various models, what are your top tips for my bike in taking off front and rear at the same time? I have the OEM centrestand fitted, and I have rafters in the garage, so my plan was

(i) something to force the centrestand to stay put,
(ii) a strap with a hook through the back wheel and onto the pannier racks to get the height right and support the back wheel when I take it off and put it on, and
(iii) adjustable straps holding the bike to the rafters just in case.

What other suggestions might you have, either for the process itself ("only take one caliper off the front," "loosen the ABS sensor first," whatever) or for making it safer and easier ("get someone else to do it altogether!").

I'm reasonably savvy (I replaced all the discs and pads on my 2016 Nissan X-Trail fine, for example) but it'll be my first go doing anything major with the bike so I don't want to cock it up completely and have to ferry the sorry bits to a bike shop!

Any input very gratefully received.
Thanks everyone!

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

John V Strom Jr.

· #2 · 4 mo ago

Remove rear wheel, then ratchet strap grab rail or frame floor-ward.. or ratchet strap handlebars rafter-Ward enough to lift front tire off floor.

Reactions: 3

dravnx

· #3 · 4 mo ago

I always take both calipers off. It's a good time to give them a cleaning.
Some put a strap from the center stand to the front of the bike to keep it from folding. I've never done this or see the need.
If you have a bash plate, you can put a small jack under it to jack the front of the bike up after the rear wheel is removed. This is what I did on my '12. My '17 has the plastic OEM so I use a ratchet strap to pull the rear down when the bike is on my lift table.

Reactions: 4

drrod

· #4 · 4 mo ago

If you have jack stands, you can use one of those plus the center stand.
Take front wheel off first by using a floor jack/scissor jack under the front of the oil pan (use a board between jack and oilpan/skid plate) as well as the CS. Once you have the wheel off, put the axle back through the forks and put a jack stand (or 2) under the axle. Use the center stand to remove the back wheel as it should keep it in the air.

You could also use jack stands under the foot pegs to keep remove the back wheel.

If you are confident nobody is going to bump the bike, then that should be all you need to do.

Removing front calipers makes it easier as well.

Reactions: 1

STCorndog

· #5 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

All I do is i)

See photo. Ratchet strap to lock center-stand forward. Don’t be that guy. It’s only important if you don’t want to hurt yourself.

I break the axles loose BEFORE I raise wheels off ground. I remove rear first then front. I replace rear first then front. See the scissor jack under 2x10 board. This spreads the load out on my skid plate and allows me to precisely set rear end height so axle slides right in.

Note - see I have calipers hanging on some twine. This keeps the brake lines from carrying the caliper weight.

Yes, it’s a Yamaha, but basics are the same. It’s been safely sitting this way for a month.

Tire Wheel Land vehicle Fuel tank Automotive fuel system

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Reactions: 4

blaustrom

· #6 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

3

Remove wheel sensors!!

Note where the spacers go for each axle.

Rear axle: Push from right to left, easier to get the caliper lined up properly (especially if you leave the rear caliper attached to the bracket).

Front Support:

Wheel Tire Automotive lighting Automotive tire Tread

Rear Wheel Support:

Tire Wheel Bicycle tire Automotive tire Automotive lighting

almost perfect:

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Locking hubs

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Reactions: 5

BackPacker

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Is there any reason the wheels need to come off together? The tips above are great (I use the jack-under-the-oil-pan method myself) but I find it easier to do one wheel at a time.

On the centerstand, the rear wheel is off the ground anyway so removing and replacing the rear wheel is relatively simple - although it's always tricky to get all the bits aligned when re-mounting the axle.

Once done with the rear, put the jack under the oil pan with (some suitable protection) and lift the oil pan ever so slightly. You don't want the full weight of the bike on the jack, all you need to achieve is the front wheel off the floor and the rear wheel just touching the floor for stability. That gives you the opportunity to do the front wheel.

If you don't trust the jack-under-the-oil-pan method, you can also load up your top box with a case of beer or something. That's about enough weight to get the rear wheel on the ground.

Reactions: 3

STCorndog

· #8 · 4 mo ago

Why both wheels? Well, they were both shod with roached tires.

Why not? I have been doing it this way for years.

Reactions: 1

PeteW

· #9 · 4 mo ago

I'd be doing one wheel at a time, even with other alternatives available I have a center stand, rear wheel is easy, that just comes off. Front , put something heavy in the top box or tie it to the pillion seat (or jack the front up) and the front comes off easy.

I have used a chain hoist and a 4x2 across the roof hatch but that's far slower and less stable.

Reactions: 1

bryan_h

· #10 · 4 mo ago

2

Currently my garage is the back of our SUV. GF and I are nomads, and usually live in a different state every 3-4 months.

I have all the tools I need for most maintenance jobs in a large toolbag.

Center stand makes living on the road with a bike pretty reasonable.

If there's a sturdy tree available... when I need to remove the front wheel, ratchet straps work very well:

Tire Plant Wheel Automotive tire Automotive lighting

It doesn't take much weight to lever the front wheel off the ground.

Tire Fuel tank Plant Wheel Automotive lighting

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Reactions: 5

STCorndog

· #11 · 4 mo ago

I do both wheels at the same time because I cheat. I take my wheels to the dealer to let him mount them. My brother has a No Mar tire changer too.

Why I never bought my own tire changer is beyond me. I spoon tires on dirt bikes. The wheels on my Tenere are to pretty to use spoons on.

Reactions: 1

Dado8

· #12 · 4 mo ago

This is how it's done ADV style

Tire Wheel Plant Plant community Automotive tire

except you do it in your garage or driveway

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Reactions: 5

Tim1971

Discussion Starter · #13 · 4 mo ago

Well, @BackPacker from Amsterdam gets the winning vote from one perspective:

The wife: "Why have you bought two cases of beer?"
Me: "This guy on the V-Strom forum said it was essential to be able to lift the bike wheel off the ground...."
The wife: "And he definitely said two?"
Me: "A man can build up a thirst working on a bike, you know...."

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions, everyone. I shall adapt of them what I can to my particular circumstances and when I'm done I'll let you know. Your experience and assistance is very much appreciated!

Reactions: 1

Tim1971

Discussion Starter · #14 · 4 mo ago

And @STCorndog - I was studying your Yamaha arrangement closely but got very sidetracked by the wall decorations in your garage. Great stuff! Unfortunately the wife's Triumphs share the garage with me and the V-Strom, and she doesn't like my trophies up, so they have to go elsewhere....

Slightly jealous!

STCorndog

· #15 · 4 mo ago

2

Thanks @Tim1971
That picture is my basement shop. My wife thought the deer mounts were a bit to caveman. I have a bunch of waterfowl mounts that she likes. I get to put them upstairs.

Here are a few for you.

Wood Wall Hardwood Art Display case

Building White Wood Window Interior design

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Reactions: 3

Tim1971

Discussion Starter · #16 · 4 mo ago

Very nice. I don't think there's anything wrong with "caveman" but opinions differ in the home, don't they?

Are they from round where you are in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, or do you go further afield for your hunting?

Reactions: 1

STCorndog

· #17 · 4 mo ago

@Tim1971

I am blessed to live in the middle of good hunting. I hunt deer, rabbits and turkeys on a farm 2 miles from the house. I have a boat setup to hunt waterfowl from and have a large lake 6 miles one direction and a large river about 20 miles the other.

I could hunt off my back porch if I wanted too, but enjoy the wildlife, so I leave them (except coyotes) in peace at home.

I do travel occasionally to waterfowl hunt if the weather forces me too. If our open water freezes up here, I head south.

ERockJL

· #18 · 4 mo ago

I ratchet up the handlebars from my garage ceiling and rear on center stand. Place the handlebars slightly forward of the lift point and you shouldnt have to worry about strapping the center stand. It is always just me in the garage so dont have to worry about kids. it feels secure to me

Reactions: 1

STCorndog

· #19 · 4 mo ago

It takes a minute to strap the center stand forward. Maybe I’m the only one here who has gotten into a wrestling match installing rear wheels.

Reactions: 1

ERockJL

· #20 · 4 mo ago

never had a problem, but if i started to i would strap up the stand if i felt i needed it. Not saying its not a good idea, just never felt i had to.

Reactions: 1

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