Rear Wheel removal with belly tank.

[ValkyrieRider]

 I have to remove my rear wheel to get a new tire. The manual says to remove the exhaust pipes. Do I need to do this? Does anyone how to remove the rear tire with a belly tank installed.
Thanks Eddie.

[Valker]

Here is an old post where I explained what I do:

Their shop manual says they have to pull the exhaust, but I am on my 7th rear tire and have never pulled mine. You can unhook the rear shocks and the wheel will raise enough to get the axle out over the exhaust. Some have also said you can loosen the exhaust and 'wedge' it out enough to change it, but I like my way. I can have the rear tire off in about 20 minutes including removing the saddlebags.
As to the rear wheel removal, I put it on a lift (Sam's), put a length of 2x4 under the rear wheel in line with the bike, remove the shock bolts (bottom ones but the top should be about the same)and lower the rear wheel (or raise the bike more) until the axle can be removed from UNDER the pipes. Some of the bolts have to be removed before you drop the rear tire, but it is easier to do than to explain. The rear wheel pulls out to the left (remove the 2x4 first) then drops and can be removed. I usually pull the drive unit by loosening the 3 or 4 bolts holding it to the shaft as it makes getting the wheel out a bit easier, but either way works. While I have the final drive unit off, I change the lube in it (easy when it is off), lube the splines, pull the shaft out of the housing and lube both ends of it. I usually put a thin film of grease on the rubber baby buggy bumpers in the wheel and on the shafts that go through those. Lots of folks have had to replace the rubber parts, mine look like new. BTW-I also grease (thin film) the rubber grommets on my shocks before reassembly. I hope this explanation makes some sense.
I also occasionally raise the rear wheel and pull the axle out OVER the pipes. I have never wedged them out. Just my 2 cents.

[chrise2469]

Dag has made a very good video which shows what ValkyrieRider describes. 

Rear Wheel Removal	powered by Aeva

It should still work with a belly tank since you are lifting the swingarm.

[Cleaner Man]

ditto both Valker and Dag.  i did my first rear wheel maintenance using the Valker/Dag system and it worked great.  Just don't be in a hurry...Also- you should probably sell that belly tank to me so that you don't have to deal with it anymore.   I have been amazed at the great advice that comes from the folks on this board.  i would be lost without it.

[Bob E.]

On mine, I have to remove the nuts and wedge out the exhaust for the swingarm to go past those bolts.  But if I remember correctly, I actually drop my swingarm and remove the axle bolt below the exhaust rather than above it.  I have some nice deep scrapes in the left side of my swingarm from trying without this step.  Anyways, I'll have an opportunity to try it out soon as my rear Avon Cobra is just about shot with 6600 miles on it.  I might get another 1000 out of it if I'm lucky.  I'm just about conviced to try the darkside since I hear they have cookies.

[ValkyrieRider]

Great video. Thanks for the reply's.
Althought looking at my valkyrie. I don't think that I can get the swingarm to brop down that far with the belly tank on. I am looking for advice from someone that has removed the rear wheel that has a belly tank installed.
Thanks Eddie.

[Gryphon]

You are correct that you can not drop the swing arm far enough with the belly tank.  Trust me, I tried.  Your easiest method would be to unhook the shocks and  raise it enough to pull the axle.  I run a Falkien 512 on mine, 205/60/16.  Belly tank changed the way I do my spline maintenance, but it is worth it for the extra distance. 

[DeathWishBikerDude]

What is so hard about removing the exhaust?
I just don't get it.
I prefer to remove the system to lube the acorn nuts/threads,and to inspect the entire exhaust while it's off the bike.
For me,it's much easier than removing the shocks,fender,etc.