Strapping the Right Swingarm for rear wheel removal.

[RonW]

Is there something wrong here? The proper procedure is that 4 swingarm bolts are suppose to be loose when you tighten the axle nut .... to insure that the pumpkin aligns with the 5-star driven flange. In the photo, the 4 swingarm bolts are already loosened as they should be. However the way the strap is hooked to the pumpkin, the strap is yanking up tight on the pumpkin. Would this negate the freeplay that you get from loosening the 4 swingarm bolts? I know you can remove the strap after lowering the rear wheel to the floor and only then tighten the 4 axle bolts. But I think I tightened the 4 axle bolts while the pumpkin and the wheel was still strapped up in the air. Easier to reach the 4 axle bolts that way. And yes, this wouldn't be a hypothethical if the strap was instead wrapped around the swingarm to begin with. The hole for the lower shock bolt is so convenient. Not a wise idea??

[Bone]

Good observation, I see the setup in the photo pulling the final drive into shaft. Similar to a jackstand directly under the final drive. Hope I wrote what I'm thinking 5:57 am in Mich.

[hrapp]

was this just a wheel removal or replacing the final driven? my guess is that you shouldn't have to loosen those bolts if it's just a tire change. the service manual doesn't have anything about loosing those 4 bolts, that i could find, unless your trying to do an alignment of camber or something.

[hubcapsc]

Mine is supported with a stick for most of the job, obviously not during the step
where the wheel is rolled back in...



I'm not advocating my way over any other, if I had to describe the way I
work on the bike it would include a lot of words like "fumble" and
"hmmm...?"

The swingarm is really light, the wheel is the heaviest part. After the shocks are
off, I lean over the bike and lift the wheel/swingarm and kick a block under the
wheel to get the axle over the exhaust pipe...

-Mike

[old2soon]

Is there something wrong here? The proper procedure is that 4 swingarm bolts are suppose to be loose when you tighten the axle nut .... to insure that the pumpkin aligns with the 5-star driven flange. In the photo, the 4 swingarm bolts are already loosened as they should be. However the way the strap is hooked to the pumpkin, the strap is yanking up tight on the pumpkin. Would this negate the freeplay that you get from loosening the 4 swingarm bolts? I know you can remove the strap after lowering the rear wheel to the floor and only then tighten the 4 axle bolts. But I think I tightened the 4 axle bolts while the pumpkin and the wheel was still strapped up in the air. Easier to reach the 4 axle bolts that way. And yes, this wouldn't be a hypothethical if the strap was instead wrapped around the swingarm to begin with. The hole for the lower shock bolt is so convenient. Not a wise idea??

  Don't know if it's right or wrong but that is how i got my wheel to line up this year after spline service. I had it like that for line up stab the axle install spacer and brake caliper put on the nut and then put the jack back under the tire. How ever long that took was how long i left it suspended. NOT overnight. Not long but when yer working and got good music outa the box i don't look at my watch. RIDE SAFE.

[old2soon]

RONW-see my post-I might be missing the simple thing. That rear wheel thing is addressed by a lot of the Valkyrie gurus on this board whose opinions i respect. Hope this helps. RIDE SAFE.

[Brian]

I leave the shocks in place when pulling the rear wheel taking the back portion of the rear fender off.
I do loosen the four nuts to loosen the pumpkin so it slightly moves as it really helps to align the shaft during the wrestling match getting the gear teeth to line up and sliding in the shaft at the same time. One time I removed the right shock during this maneuver and found it to really help in allowing the pumpkin to move freely. Work like a champ. This will now be added to the route the next time. Everyone has their own way of doing things. I enjoy reading how many different ways there are right or wrong it's personal preference.

[GOOSE]

if you are just changing the tire, you still should loosen those 4-nuts on the final drive.  it makes it alot easier to align everything back up.

[YoungPUP]

I use a short piece of webbing set up in a choker fashion around th driveshaft tube, and then hook the strap there. I could see how the posted way could put some twistiness in the system.

[RonW]

thanks everyone for the responses.

The swingarm is really light, the wheel is the heaviest part.

this makes me wonder if it's better to lift the swingarm instead of the wheel to align the axle shaft since as you noted the swingarm is less weight. All it takes is to position the hole in the strapped swingarm a ½ inch below the hole in the wheel than lift up on the swingarm. Instead of the heavier wheel. This is with the method of using the axle to align the 5-star driven flange with the pumpkin .... and without the rear brake bracket and spacer in place. Or am I missing something.

[Bigwolf]

I put the strap in the shock hole on the left side of the swing arm.  Then I use a floor jack under the wheel to lower and pull the wheel out from under the full fender or to raise the wheel into position when installing it.

With the strap on the left side of the swing arm, there is no twist on the rear drive while installing the axel.  I have the 4 bolts (drive to swing arm) loose until the axel is torqued to spec when installing. 

Wolf