'86 VF1000R front axle removal?

So pulled my wheel to replace the tire and can't seem to remove the axle from it. As far as I can see, the
service manual doesn't say much about it and there are flats on each side of the axle so assuming you just
put a wrench on each side and the halves will unscrew? A fair amount of force hasn't worked so far and
wanted to post a question before rounding the flats or messing something up. Is there a preferred or easier way to do it?

thanks in advance!
bill

 

the axle is tight cuz it has to preload wheel bearings so they don't spin on the axle. captain 80s will have your answer.

 

Its not a high torque or preload situation. Its just a classic example of not being removed for a long time and frozen with a little corrosion. All the VF front axles suffer from it. It really is just a 17 mm wrench on one side and the Honda Tool kit 22mm on the other. You can easily round the 17mm side. Start soaking with some penetrant and apply some heat. Use extensions to increase your force. If the 17 rounds you can put that side in a vice and then start sourcing a replacement.

Everytime I have a wheel off I loosen, grease and re tighten. No need to crank it down with excessive torque! Thats another part of the problem, paranoid mechanics. You just need to apply enough force to seat everything. The fork axle caps will keep anything from loosening.

Good luck!

 

so what's the proper axle torque ?

 

Tighten it till it strips, then back off 1/4 turn...

55-65N-m on a VF1000F according to the service manual.

 

THANK YOU!!!! As long as it isn't left-handed threads or something unusual-

HAVE A GREAT ONE!!
b

 

I don't even care on this application. I tighten it to where it feels right. I know I am putting ample pressure on the bearings and spacers to keep them seated, never had an issue. I don't want to fight with it in the future.

 

Probably the best approach.

 

I say this to my friend all the time when he's working on his bike. He's a notorious over tightener.

"How tight?"

"Tighten it until it just starts to get loose again, then back off a little."

I don't know dude, either develop a feel or have your SM open and a small torque always there.

Obviously I am not talking about critical fasteners. (I know, in a way they are all critical, but you know what I'm talking about)

 

i do.

 

No luck- tried letting it soak for days, heat...nothing works. Gonna sleep on it one more day then probably cut it off.

 

Well shit. You might try the axle end in a vise and at least try and save the nut (if it's not already F'd).

You can also grind two larger parallel flat sections in the same plane as the two areas for the 17mm wrench so the vise gets a good grab. You could then maybe still use the axle.

They can be tough, but I've never had to cut an axle off (which I'm surprised by).

Good luck!

 

Well the flats are about .4" wide so I can try positioning a section of 3/8" (.375") square stock in each then clamping those in a vise and see what
happens. Looks like the nut hex was already rounded a bit before I started but it still holds the wrench end reasonably well.

 

My best success has always been with some additional leverage and a "one, two, three and NOW".

 

As long as it is not "one, two, three and NOW I NEED A NEW ONE"...

 

He's already there. If it doesn't budge, he's cutting it off.

 

The 6-sided 22mm from the tool kit has always ended up being my best option. Allows you to easily put a bar on for leverage.

 

Wish I had one. maybe pull tool kits from the other bikes and see what's in there. Thanks for sending!

 

As a last resort, I clamped a pair of vise grips across the flats on the long part of the axle and put a 4 foot section of 2"x2" box aluminum stock
over the handle, then placed the other end under the front of my garden tractor. Same for the NUT side. That finally got it, and surprisingly
with minimal vise grip tooth marks on the flats. Once it broke loose, it turned smoothly and easily
by finger so everything ended up ok. Lucky because I haven't been able to find a used one. Gonna keep looking as I probably won't be so
lucky next time.

thanks again -
b

 

I know this is off topic but not sure it's worth starting an entire new thread for- is there a way to check the fork oil level without removing the forks?
I haven't pulled either cap yet...

thanks-