Removing/replacing the rear wheel: Difference between revisions

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====Reattaching the wheel====

Reinstalling the wheel is the exact reverse of removal (above). On previous-gen bikes, the chain adjusters will fall off when the axle is removed; don't forget to reinstall them. The left-side wheel spacer in particular requires patience and careful manipulation to get into place, and having a helper to hold the wheel up can ease the task considerably. Note that the side with the circular portion around the hole faces outward. Also, even though the two should be identical, if you have trouble getting the axle through them, try swapping them.

Be sure use the [[Torque Values|proper torque]] on everything. If inserting the axle gives you trouble, try this:

Sit on the ground behind the bike. Hold the wheel up with your left hand, or your feet, or a board, and feed the axle in with your right. When it starts to hang up (and it almost always does), tap (not whack! just tap) the head of the bolt with a rubber or plastic hammer while moving the wheel up and down a little with your left hand. You can also use a length of wood as a hammer, but ~~ideally~~ a metal-faced hammer should not be used.

Sit on the ground behind the bike. Hold the wheel up with your left hand, or your feet, or a board, and feed the axle in with your right. When it starts to hang up (and it almost always does), tap (not whack! just tap) the head of the bolt with a rubber or plastic hammer while moving the wheel up and down a little with your left hand. You can also use a length of wood as a hammer, but a metal-faced hammer should not be used.

You may have to lower the right muffler in order to tighten the torque link properly. Don't forget to install a new cotter pin on the axle nut. You can buy an assortment at an auto parts or hardware store or find a reusable alternative such as a D-clip or R-clip:

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 ====Reattaching the wheel====
-Reinstalling the wheel is the exact reverse of removal (above). On previous-gen bikes, the chain adjusters will fall off when the axle is removed; don't forget to reinstall them.  The left-side wheel spacer in particular requires patience and careful manipulation to get into place, and having a helper to hold the wheel up can ease the task considerably. Note that the side with the circular portion around the hole faces outward. Also, even though the two should be identical, if you have trouble getting the axle through them, try swapping them.
+Reinstalling the wheel is the exact reverse of removal (above). On previous-gen bikes, the chain adjusters will fall off when the axle is removed; don't forget to reinstall them. The left-side wheel spacer in particular requires patience and careful manipulation to get into place, and having a helper to hold the wheel up can ease the task considerably. Note that the side with the circular portion around the hole faces outward. Also, even though the two should be identical, if you have trouble getting the axle through them, try swapping them.
 Be sure use the [[Torque Values|proper torque]] on everything. If inserting the axle gives you trouble, try this:
-Sit on the ground behind the bike. Hold the wheel up with your left hand, or your feet, or a board, and feed the axle in with your right. When it starts to hang up (and it almost always does), tap (not whack! just tap) the head of the bolt with a rubber or plastic hammer while moving the wheel up and down a little with your left hand.  You can also use a length of wood as a hammer, but ideally a metal-faced hammer should not be used.
+Sit on the ground behind the bike. Hold the wheel up with your left hand, or your feet, or a board, and feed the axle in with your right. When it starts to hang up (and it almost always does), tap (not whack! just tap) the head of the bolt with a rubber or plastic hammer while moving the wheel up and down a little with your left hand.  You can also use a length of wood as a hammer, but a metal-faced hammer should not be used.
 You may have to lower the right muffler in order to tighten the torque link properly. Don't forget to install a new cotter pin on the axle nut. You can buy an assortment at an auto parts or hardware store or find a reusable alternative such as a D-clip or R-clip: