Replacing Back Tire

[garydup]

I removed my back tire and had a new one put on without any problems until it came time to put it all back together. I realized that I don't have a socket big enough to fit the castle nut and the local auto parts store does not have a torque wrench to rent out at the moment. How critical is it to torque that nut down, or is if even necessary? This is my first time doing this and I wanna make sure I do it right.

Thanks,
Gary

[redeye]

The nut should be a 24mm & the torque value is 80lbs. If you get it "VERY" tight using a 3/8 or 1/2" drive ratchet you should be close enough.

It's all in the leverage, the longer the wrench the easier it will be to get 80lbs. I replaced my rear tire last weekend & HAD to use a hammer on a 12" crescent wrench to get the bolt lose. I could not budge the nut with a ratchet alone.

The dealer's 800 lb gorilla replaced & installed the tire last time

[phenrichs]

Originally Posted by Redeye

The dealer's 800 lb gorilla replaced & installed the tire last time

the dealer's 800lb gorilla was probably an air powered impact gun just like the regular car tire places use. I would bet they only torque engine and tranny stuff.

[VulcanE]

When I do mine, I hold the castle nut with a wrench, and use the torque wrench on the other end of the axle. (don't have a 24mm socket) And I torque it to 85 ft lbs.

[ringadingh]

I dont have the 24mm socket either, Ive used an adjustable wrench the last couple times and its worked for me. I just estimated the 80lbs torque as best I could.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I dont have the 24mm socket either, Ive used an adjustable wrench the last couple times and its worked for me. I just estimated the 80lbs torque as best I could.

Down here, that's known as an "armstrong torque wrench".

[coldfingers]

I'm picturing this 800 lb. gorilla doing your wheel! Ha!

[macmac]

Well it ain't gonna be right no matter what unless 1 you get the right tools and use them and pull all that off and do the swing arm service because there ain't no dammned grease in the swing arm bearings. Then you must check the dammned U Joint because more than 50% of them are BAD from the factory and have no dammed grease in them.

If that U joint stops it does it fast, a lot faster than you will want to stop, and if you ignor this I hope you know how to ride a Nomad backwards!

[Yellow Jacket]

As Mac says, you really need the correct tools if you plan on doing your own work on the bike.

Go to Sears and get a good 1/2 drive torque wrench such as this one:

Craftsman Microtork® Torque Wrench, 20-150 ft. lbs., 1/2 in. Drive
Sears item# 00944595000 Mfr. model# 44595

It'll cost about $80 bucks but you can use in on every bolt on the bike that has a torque requirement.

You should be able to pick up a 24mm socket at any auto parts store. Prices run from $6 to $25 depending on brand.

This stuff is worth it.

[mac]

I changed mine last weekend and just used a wrench to hold the castle nut and torqued the left side.

[dogdoc]

Just a question for my brother on changing out the rear tire. When you have the bike on the jack and you loosen up the bolts to remove rear tire do you have to remove muffler and/or pipe on the right to snake out tire? or can you get it out w/o pipe removal??? Thx

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

Just a question for my brother on changing out the rear tire. When you have the bike on the jack and you loosen up the bolts to remove rear tire do you have to remove muffler and/or pipe on the right to snake out tire? or can you get it out w/o pipe removal??? Thx

You do not need to remove or drop the right side exhaust. I dropped the left side to remove the axle. I also removed the bag support hardware to make it easier.

[dogdoc]

if you had the lift with the drop out floor you could just drop tire as axel is pulled out<

[macmac]

My opinion is it is just NUTS to change the rear tire and not sevice the drive shaft and swing arm. You are more than half way there, service the real roller bearing in the shock tops too, real roller bearings are there in 1600's!

[hungryeye]

Metric sizes 17mm up can cross with SAE, the castle nut is a perfect 1 1/16" box wrench. Touque the nut not the bolt. or just make it tight.