Rear Tire Removal

[cajun2wheels]

My friend and I completed the oil change and new antifreeze today on my 2005 1600.Everything went smooth.My E3 should be in today so the rear tire change is next.While looking at the service manual I saw where they say to remove the rear fender as part of the tire removal.Is this true?What is your experience with this.Any other tips or tricks would be a appreciated.

[lawdog]

Go to Gadget's fixit page. It will give the procedure where you do not have to remove the fender. It is really simple.

[nomadrider]

You do not need to remove the fender .Jack up the bike till the tire is just off the ground and drop the left muffler and remove the rear axle.Watch the spacers on the axle .With the axle pulled almost all the way out wiggle the back wheel to release it from the drive splines and set it on the ground.Then jack the bike higher until the wheel comes out .I just did the driveshaft and swing arm service and the wheel came out .No problem.Depending on your mileage you may want to do the swingarm and drive shaft lubrication service if it has never been done while the wheel is off.

[cajun2wheels]

Thanks everyone.I found the Gadget page and that will help.

[boomerang2120]

When I had mine replaced the tech at the local Kaw dealer sure didn't remove the fender - I watched the whole thing and it was alot more like what nomadrider described.

[ringadingh]

You will need to have it jacked up about 16-18" so the wheel will be able to come out from under the bike, its kinda heavy work but not that difficult.

[cactusjack]

Remove the fender? That's a lot of work. Read Gadget's page, it's a fairly simple procedure. While you're at it, service your drive shaft and swingarm bearings - also found on Gadget's page.

[ridemslow]

And while your at it, put in a zerk fitting so to be able to grease the swingarm without removing the bearings in the future. I may have just opened a can of worms, but it's only a 20-30 minute job to do, and could save you 2-3 hours next time. Something to think about. ;) Those instructions are also on Gadgets page.

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Remove the fender? That's a lot of work. Read Gadget's page, it's a fairly simple procedure. While you're at it, service your drive shaft and swingarm bearings - also found on Gadget's page.

[macmac]

If greasing the swing arm is going to be after removing the swing arm so the U joint is inspected, that's one thing. But if a U joint fails and or the dry shaft splines go south because they were never greased then greasing the swing arm won't matter much.

Also that rubber boot on the drive shaft tube won't last 5 years. Wish I knew that before now. 06 1600 with a dying rubber boot.

[ringadingh]

I agree having a grease fitting will make it easy to grease the swingarm, but your missing servicing the driveshaft and u joint.
They are just as important to service if not more so.

[poppy]

I agree with installing the zerk fitting. It will help keeping the bearings greased between the hands-on, visual inspections.

Originally Posted by ridemslow

And while your at it, put in a zerk fitting so to be able to grease the swingarm without removing the bearings in the future. I may have just opened a can of worms, but it's only a 20-30 minute job to do, and could save you 2-3 hours next time. Something to think about. ;) Those instructions are also on Gadgets page.