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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 32
| So I had to put a new tire on the bike. So I thought I'd buy a jack and do everything excenpt mount and balance the tire. I've done a number of other projects, and while I wouldn't work on someone else's bike, I don't mind working on my own. Well this project has been a comedy of errors. I bought a jack at Menards, the Big Red model... Let me warm anyone of thinking of the same... Don't. Had the bike on the jack and went to my truck to get a strap. The bike fell off the jack. I then come to realize the brand new jack i bought is bleeding by and was most likely the reason the bike toppled. A couple of minor scratches to the bike, but overall I got lucky.
So I go buy the craftsman red jack and I'm off to the races. This jack works MUCH better and is way more stable. Anyway, get the wheel off, get my new tire mounted, a Michelin Commander II as I work for Michelin, and begin putting things back together. Well in the process of putting the rear axle in, the threads got damaged and I can't get the nut started. Tried to clean the threads up with a file, but no go. Now I'm gonna have to buy a new axle... I haven't been this frustrated in a long time!
Ever have a 'simple' project blow up on you?
Ride Safe... I hope too soon as well!
Edited by Bix 2012-06-17 10:56 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | vent brother, vent |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | yo, sorry dude. For those that remove the rear wheel, it is toooo easy. First, do not remove the nut, only loosen it enough to push the axle in to remove the retaiing clip and pull the axle through. But before you do, that, put the bike on the jack, lift enough to take pressure off of the right swing-arm push rod bolt. Book says to remove both the push-rod and the shock bolt from the swing arms, however, I just do the one on the push-rod. once you remove the bolt, you can jack up the bike enough to clear the left muffler to pull out the axle bolt. Also this holds the caliper carrier in place so make sure you secure that when you pull the axle out. Never remove the caliper from the carrier unless you are replacing the caliper. Now you jack up the bike high enough to remove the rear wheel after you unlatch the belt from the pulley. Make sure you take note which spacer goes on what side. I remove the wheel from the left side to keep the pressure off of the brake rotor. When you put everthing back together, make sure the spacers are in the wheel, I use a little grease to make them stick. Finese the wheel in, install the brake caliper carrier and line up the holes by slowly lowering the bike, make sure that ever thing lines up loosely. I use a long screw drive from right side to keep everthing inline as I push the axle through from the left. It seems to work well for me. After the axle is in, the belt is on, and the right side retainer clip is on, I tighten the axle nut. Then I lower the bike until the swing arm hole is lined up with the push rod, install that bolt and you're done. I hope this helps.
I thought I'd share this when you said you removed the nut. That's okay, I had a dealer want to disassemble my bike by removing the mufflers to get the axle out. I told him there was no need, removing the push rod bolt will allow the axle to drop low enough. The sad thing is I was told they did plenty of Vision wheels with no problem that way. I think I just saved him about a half hours worth of work.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | Varyder - thanks for the concise writeup on removing the rear tire. I'll be replacing my rear tire in the next few weeks and this will help. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 32
| Varyder, i just told my wife after I posted this... I never should have removed that nut! live and learn... |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| There is what they call a Thread file its 4 sided with 8 diffrent threat pitches. Sears has them http://www.sears.com/kd-tools-metric-external-thread-restorer-file/... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | im sorry for your bad luck. but i have to ask.. isnt that commander II (in the size for the vision) a Bias tire? i thought they warned not to put a bias tire on a bike designed to use a radial? just asking not making a statement.. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Willmar, MN | My last front tire was a bias E2 and it really improved the handling as far as I'm concerned. Rear is still a radial. Just my opinion, individual results may vary.  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| Arkainzeye - 2012-06-17 7:35 PM
im sorry for your bad luck. but i have to ask.. isnt that commander II (in the size for the vision) a Bias tire? i thought they warned not to put a bias tire on a bike designed to use a radial? just asking not making a statement..
And I have heard from multiple sources to NEVER, EVER put a bias ply tire behind a front radial! Radial rear and bias front is okay, and bias at both ends should work, at least as well as car tires!
If I were the OP, I would switch the front to a bias ply tire as well, to match the new Commander II |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 32
| my front tire is a bias, but thanks for the heads up. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | just asking.. whats the point of radial tires in the first place as OEM on the vision? I mean whats the big deal about radial tires? |
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Had to vent...
