Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Which wheel first? bearig greas seal ?

Just received my new tires and ready to remove the wheels to have them mounted. This is my first time removeing the wheels any tips or advice would be appreciated. Does removeing one wheel over the other first make the job eaiser? I have read the removal directions several times and have all the tools necessary for the job. The only thing that I forgot to get was new grease seals for the bearings. Since I have the wheel off thought that I would check and regrease the bearings. Are the bearing grease seals a Triumph only part or are they any others that would fit?
Thanks
Dennis

I do not think I did the seals when I got my new tires.
but that is up to you.
the rear wheel is the most difficult to remove , do it first.
If the axles have never been removed before you may have some
trouble getting them out.
they tend to rust up in the middle and will drag on the way out.
be sure to grease or anti-sieze them before reinstall.

I believe the front wheel bearings are sealed. The bearings are common and should be available wherever a good source of bearings are stocked. Check your 'play' before you remove the wheel. Bearings may NOT be an issue.

All the wheel bearings are sealed. Unless you have a bearing problem or somehow damage a dirt seal, don't mess with them.
Life is easier that way....

I would recommend when disassembling the rear, make note of how the spacers come out.
And when reassembling the rear, go slow and don't force anything. If the sun, moon, venus and mars align, the rear axle will slip through with minimal convincing. If you're tapping the axle and it takes more force than you think it should, you may be bending the crap out of the right side adjuster.

Don't mess with the seals. Ensure they aren't nicked, rub a bit of axle grease on them and the spacers when reinstalling (Axle too). You can check the bearings by trying to move the wheel sideways as the wheel rest on the ground torqued in position. Any play and they are candidates for replacement.

Easier to remove rear wheel first.
You have to lift your ride high to remove the rear wheel. Try to position the jack so that the bike will stay on the lift after you remove the rear wheel and before you remove the front wheel. Remove both calipers before wheel removal. You don't have to remove the front caliper if you are adventuresome. Remove the chain guard. Loosen all axles before you jack her up (pinch bolts on each fork bottom too) Slacken the chain then turn the adjusters counterclockwise to seat them on the swingarm shoulders. Leave the bike on the lift just at floor level when you remove the rear axle, catch the rear wheel floating caliper plate when you pull the rear axle (out the left side) then lift the bike away from the wheel catching the spacers and placing the chain forward of the chain ring. Once the wheel is clear, lower the bike to a safer level. The front wheel again while on floor, remove axle and this time catch the speedo gear. Lift bike up from the front wheel, roll wheel out and lower bike.

Support each caliper at time of removal. Do not disconnect brake lines. Do not activate brakes while calipers are not over rotors. Inspect pads clean calipers etc...

When reinstalling the wheels, float the forks/swingarm over the axle holes with the jack. Have the rear axle inserted enough through the left swingarm hole, to retain the floating plate position the rear wheel (mind the chain) tween the dropouts and lower the bike. The jack lowers the bike by shifting the bike to the left. Compensate for this effect by positioning the rear wheel left of where you need it. Once the left axle hole is in place shove the axle in and using the jack, align the right dropout. Shove again and you are good to go.

CAUTION. When messing with the rear axle ensure that the chain adjusters are fully seated against the rear shoulder. That is, make sure that the silver looking washer is tangent/flush with the swingarm's adjustment shoulder. Otherwise the bolt will be in the path of the axle. I believe that a 10mm socket used to turn counter clockwise the adjusters will seat them on the shoulders and ensure fully retracted bolts. This is the only tip/trick.

Edited: Could be an 8mm...

When installing the front wheel pay attention to the speedo pickup gear vis-a-vis the positioning tab see service manual. Grease it up too. Also put a light film of grease on the rear wheels floating caliper plate's contact points.

Yep, it's an 8mm socket on the chain adjusters. Just cleaned and adjusted my chain.

Inspect the speedo gear on the front wheel. I don't know how many miles you have on your bike, but packing some grease on the gear is a good idea from time to time. Same goes for the axles and spacers. Everytime I take a wheel off, I clean and regrease the axles and spacers.

Since you're taking off both wheels, I'd do the rear first and then the front. Taking off the front first might cause the back end to tip. And make sure you strap your bike to the jack first.

Thanks all for the advice. The wheels came off eaiser than I anticipated. Lets see how they go back on in a couple of days. Was planing to have them mounted and balanced but was unable to get it done today. Hopefully tomorrow morning after I get home from work. Working the 7pm to 7am shift leaves me little time to get things done.