SWINGARM DROP HOW FAR WHEN CHANGING REAR TIRE

[CASABROKER]

CLYMERS SAYS YOU CAN DROP THE SWINGARM W/SHOCKS OFF AND BRACKET INSTALLED TO HOLD IT UP.  i DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE PIPES OFF AND i HAVE A TRAILER HITCH THAT'S ABOUT AND INCH LOWER THAN THE PIPES.  JUST WANT THE AXLE TO CLEAR THE HITCH.

THANKS,

[eric in md]

you need to unbolt the exhaust  from the hangers in the rear , put a piece of wood in there as a wedge,   get under there take axle nuts loose anyhow first, unbolt top shock bolts remember there will be pressure on them if its not on lift, after on lift , take top of shocks off, jack it up  everything goes below pipes and bags .. good luck . when your done you can help me take my bike all apart needs new tires and brakes and serviced .. im headed to west coast july 15 for two weeks and 7 or 8 thousands miles later i will be back eric

[NITRO]

I do the same as Eric, but remove lower shock bolts and use a floor jack to raise the swingarm to where I want it at while putting everything back.

[CASABROKER]

So when the shocks are unbolted the swing arm will dangle this will not hurt the driveshaft?  Or does the swingarm have a stop built into it?

[Daniel Meyer]

Or you can raise it above the pipes with the shocks off.

[fudgie]

How would you get the tire off with the swingarm up?  Doesn't it have to be all the way down?

Just raise it to get the axel out.

[Sonny]

I do hear a lot of guys say they don't want to remove the exaust.  Not sure why?  You can get both the stock pipes off the bike in about 15 to 20 minutes. Then everything is easy as pie.  I also know some guys say replace the donut gaskets it you remove the pipes. Not true!  I have had mine off many times.  Sometimes just to clean up the things you can't get to with them on. Not a leak.

What ever you choose to do someone in the VRCC will always be glad to help with any questions you might have.

[f6john]

    My 99 has never had the stock exhaust removed. Always thought the shock bolts would be easier than header bolts. But it sounds like you would never have a problem with broken studs if you have them off on a regular basis like that. I do have a set of Two Bros. in the garage I've been wanting to hang on the ol' girl as she has been blowing thru stock pipes for 50k miles.

[Daniel Meyer]

How would you get the tire off with the swingarm up?  Doesn't it have to be all the way down?

Nope. Raise it up to get the axle over the pipes (and bag pans if you have 'em), and you can still drop the wheel off. I do lower mine a bit back down just to make it easier, but I don't let the swing arm come in contact with the pipe bracket/bolts.

I don't remove the pipes myself. Those gaskets are expensive. I use the extra time to remove the pumpkin and check out the pinion cup.

Come to Inzane. I'll show you. I'll be tearing my bike half-in-two at the Saturday tech session (rear wheel/pumpkin removal/replace)

[X Ring]

If you ever get a belly tank you won't be able to drop the swingarm to remove the axle.  You have to remove it over the exhaust pipes.

Marty

[eric in md]

So when the shocks are unbolted the swing arm will dangle this will not hurt the driveshaft?  Or does the swingarm have a stop built into it?

never had a problem with my swingarm hanging there only changed the tar about ten times now ,,

[Cliff]

Thank you.  How about a video for those who can't make it to Michigan?  I've got a couple thousand left on the tires, so I'm doing my homework.  The bike is still on the factory tires.

Pluggy,,, where are you located???  If anywhere near NH I could lend a hand for your 1st tire and final drive (pumpkin)  removal.

[fudgie]

I do hear a lot of guys say they don't want to remove the exaust.  Not sure why?  You can get both the stock pipes off the bike in about 15 to 20 minutes. Then everything is easy as pie.  I also know some guys say replace the donut gaskets it you remove the pipes. Not true!  I have had mine off many times.  Sometimes just to clean up the things you can't get to with them on. Not a leak.

What ever you choose to do someone in the VRCC will always be glad to help with any questions you might have.

My exhaust is a bitch to get off. Some studs come out and others just the nuts do. Easier for me to leave them there.

[Ricky-D]

So when the shocks are unbolted the swing arm will dangle this will not hurt the driveshaft?  Or does the swingarm have a stop built into it?

That is correct. The swing arm will "dangle.

There is little chance you will damage the drive shaft.

There is a real possibility you will damage the u-joint.

Best option is to support the rear wheel to avoid damage.

***

[Dag]

After the motorcycle is parked on the table lift, it takes a maximum of 10 minutes to remove the rear wheel.

Rear Wheel Removal

[Dag]

Hey, Dag.  Thanks for the video.  Is that a floor jack under the swing arm?  Is there something between the jack and the bike?  Is that wheel chock required? 

Is greasing the splines always needed?

(I am a motorcycle oldie and a Valkyrie newbie.)

Thanks / Stu

The floor jack are under the rear (edge) of the engine with a 2"X4" lumber between the jack and the bike. I`m not sure what you mean with "wheel chock" ???

I do grease the splines once a year.

[Dag]

I use a strap from the engine bracket to the lift table.

[Cliff]

Thank you.  How about a video for those who can't make it to Michigan?  I've got a couple thousand left on the tires, so I'm doing my homework.  The bike is still on the factory tires.

Pluggy,,, where are you located???  If anywhere near NH I could lend a hand for your 1st tire and final drive (pumpkin)  removal.

Thanks for the offer.  I am in Florida.  CB900C has been my bike since 1981 and there are some similarities in the rear wheel change.  Having a center stand makes the old bike easy.  Right now I am trying to absorb Valkyrie know-how to make ownership and riding just as much fun.

I am in NH,,, makes it difficult to help you out with hands on  instruction based shared knowledge.

[Tropic traveler]

Hey Pluggy, where are you in Florida??

[CASABROKER]

$103 TO CHANGE OUT BOTH TIRE NOT BAD, SOUNDS FAIR. EVEN IF YOU TOOK THEM OFF PROBABLY COST 50 BUCKS TO MOUNT AND BALANCE.

[Cliff]

Thanks, men.  Dag has the equipment, for sure.  My challenge is correctly doing this task with a minimum of equipment.  A local bike shop will charge $53 to remove and re-install both wheels and another $53 to mount and balance two tires.  I have a big floor jack, but no motorcycle jack or lift.

Some of us are crazy enough to spend $300 to save $53.  I like tools and have to fight that urge.

My tire change equipment cost a total of $120 and the jack I get use for other maintenance as well.