Taking off the tires

I need to take off both tires on my 06 vfr. Is there anything i need/should know about taking them off or putting them back on? I've never done this and just want to make sure there are no suprises. Thanks Bill..

 

The rear wheel is just like changing a car tire. No big deal at all.
The front wheel is a little different. There are pinch bolts on the bottom of each fork that need to be loosened. Before you do that you should loosen the large hex nut(axle nut) on the left side). Once everything is loosened, you'll need to unbolt the brake calipers, the discs will not clear with the calipers on. Then you can remove the axle bolt all the way. There is a hole through the right side of the axle that you can stick a phillips screw driver through, this can be used to gently work the axle out the left side.
There is a spacer on one side of the wheel, remember where that goes. Once the axle is out the wheel will roll out if the front of the bike is lifted high enough, if not it will hit the fender.
The bike should be on the center stand for the whole process and once the front tire is off you'll need to safely support the front forks so the bike does not fall over.
It is pretty easy actually. Takes me about a half hour to do both.

 

Put some tape on the front rim

Put some masking tape on the inside of the rim so that it doesn't get scratched by the brake calipers upon removal. I always used to get scratches on my rims until I started taping them.

 

There are actually spacers on both sides of the front axle, at least there was on mine that I just did. One is longer than the other so make sure you make a note of which spacer came from which side.

 

Put bike on center stand
remove rear wheel
position a cinder-block (or anything of equal size) next to lower fairing. COVER IT WITH A CLOTH TOWEL so not to scratch anything.
standing at the FRONT of the bike, lift gently on the nose section, just far enough to feel the rear of the center stand touch ground
once you've raised it this far, slide the cinder-block with your foot, under the exhaust
(might want to check where the exhaust pipes are BEFORE doing this)
ease it onto cinder block
remove front wheel as Drewl mentioned above.

10 minutes MAX

Oh yeah, and invest in a TORQUE WRENCH

 

+1 on the torque wrench for reassembly.

 

Why not the left side lavender?

 

Not clear if you are wanting to remove the wheels from the bike or the tires from the wheels.

Download a factory manual for wheel removal and re-assembly. The manuals take into account securing calipers ect. Wire ties are great for this BTW.

Best IMO, if you are changing out rubber to remove the wheels and have a shop do the rest. Static and dynamic balancing is a must. Shop around. You will find different dealers have different storys to tell.

 

:smokin:really? I've been doing my own tire changes for years. Why pay some low-ranking goober to scratch up yer stuff?

Find someone that knows how to do it, learn yourself, get your own tire changing tools (less than $100) and start saving yourself a ton of money. I go through about 3-4 sets a year...I save enough to buy another set of tires or pay for a nice long weekend ride/camping trip.:thumbsup: EACH year.

You don't need a machine to balance your tires either.:crazy: You can do it at home very easily.

 

This may be the reason going through "3-4 sets a year" seems to be the case.

Speaking for myself and maybe some of the other folks here, how does one dynamically balance a tire rated to 150mph at home?

 

Simple gravity. Ever been to a race track? That's how the pro's get it done. Good enough for a racer that is pushing way beyond what I'll ever hope to, it's more than adequate for my street riding. You don't need "dynamic" balancing.


And as far as going through 3-4 sets a year is called RIDING, and riding hard. I get about 3-5k miles a set. It's got absolutely nothing to do with balancing. Ever spend a weekend in the mountains? I've destroyed a set of M-1's in 1400 miles during one weekend trip.:biggrin:

 

I'm getting new tires put on and the dealer wants $50 to install and balance. I didn't think that was to bad. I got a set of Pirelli Diablo Strada and with the install and balance i'll be at $225.00 for everything. So i jumped at it !!! I also go through around 3 to 4 sets a year, i ride year round to work (about 90 miles round trip) and almost every weekend..I love this bike, 06 with a little over 35K on it... but I hate this on/off throttle !!!

 

When my bikes are cherry I have the shop do it. Its not easy getting them off and on the rim without a little scratch here and there. But once they start getting rashed up, f' it, I just do it myself.

 

Get proper tire spoons, some Ru-glyde tire lube from Napa, and proper rim protectors and you'll never scratch another wheel. The lube is what takes all the work out of it.:thumbsup:

I've changed tires on Carozzeria, O.Z., Marchesini wheels, anodized/powder coated wheels with nary a scratch. I was fortunate enough to learn from someone that knows a few tricks to make it easy and safe. You can't just type it out. You really need to SEE how it's done and then be allowed to try it with the help/experience of someone that knows what the hell they are doing. I consider myself a pretty good wrench with above average mechanical ability (aircraft maintenance my entire career in the AF, 22 yrs). I've taught several others how to do it and they now are just as good/better than I am. I am more than willing to show anyone that is willing to learn.

 

On my dirt bike with polished alu. excel rims its never a problem but on a painted rim... different story.

 

Wish I were closer...I'd show ya.:thumbsup:

 

Addressing your specific questions; yes, I have been to a racetrack and to the mountains.

I'm not so sure that gravity is as simple as stated and that riding hard was pretty much one of those Harley stories that go around.

 

judging by those responses...homework is in your near future.

Going back to your first comment about going through 3-4 sets of tires due to balance issues...how will that help keep tread on my tires? This could be the miracle tire saver we've all been looking for!:biggrin: I mean, this could be HUGE. I'm sure the rest of us want to know this piece nugget of information.:whistle: Do tell....