Rear wheel removal
 

Checked rear tyre pressure last week and it was down to 12, upped it back to 35, bike been garaged all week and yesterday it was back down to 16 :(. So now i need to get wheel off and get it sorted. Ive never done anything like this but i watched a clear instruction video on you-tube and think i should manage it. Was just wondering if you had any hints/tips that may make it easier or is there anything i should watch out for that may trip me up. I need to get it done by friday cos thats when im gonna pass my test :D.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Not sure what it's like on the SV, but on my CBR it's easiest to remove the rear caliper first and get it out of the way, and then when the axle's out, push the wheel forward slightly so you can unhook the chain from the rear sprocket and drape it to the side, over the swingarm. Then the wheel should just roll out. I'm assuming you have it on a paddock stand of course!

Oh and refitting is usually the more awkward bit, as you have to raise the wheel up a bit to meet the hole in the swingarm for the axle. I usually sit on the ground and put my feet underneath the wheel so I can move it upwards a little bit, and use my hands to align it and slide the axle through the swingarm/wheel. i can usually get the chain to hook back on with the wheel back in position, which sounds contrary to what I said above about rolling it forward first when removing! But if not I guess you could use the adjusters to slacken the chain until it fits over the sprocket...

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

What are you going to do when you have the wheel off?

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Sounds like you might just be better off riding to a garage and getting them to do it. Any decent place will remove the tyre and inspect it before putting it back on for a trivial sum (or for free if you use them for other stuff).

In any event, taking the wheel out isn't the first step! Check the tyre all around for any holes or embedded items, pour soapy water on it to spot any leaks, check the valve too.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

its pretty straight forward once its up, undo the large bolt on the sprocket side, and tap the axle out, once youve done that the caliper will swing down out the way, move the wheel forward towards the bike, to get the chain off, and bobs your uncle,

make sure you have the bike supported in someway

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

At the advice of OH i was just gonna take it to the nearest bike dealer and let them sort it. I cant ride it down cos i dont have a license yet and he hasnt got time to take it for me.

Ive checked it over and theres nothing obviously wrong.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Spat in the valve?

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

To take the rear wheel off there is a step by step process, but, it is quite easy.

First you need to loosen the bolt that holds the rear brake assembly to the swing arm via the support bar (it is up near the back of the engine, below the swing arm)

Then you need to undo all the tension on the chain by undoing the chain tensioners at the back of the swing arm on both sides.

Next is to undo the wheel spindle bolt and slide the spindle out, as you are doing this try to catch the brake caliper as it will fall out, also, try to catch the two spacers if they try to fall out too.

Then roll the wheel forward, remove the chain from the rear sprocket and move the rear wheel back out making sure you either hold the rear brake assembly out of the way or manouver the wheel around it.

Good luck

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Didnt spit cos im a 'lay-dee' but did use washing up liquid and theres no sign of any air escaping. Nothing to see on the tyre, dont know what else to try! Any suggestions gratefully received, thanks to you all for your replies.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

If you havn't been riding the bike it might be something the previous owner did/caused, like damaged seal to the wheel/tyre, nail/screw in the tyre but it has lost its head so you can't find it...

But, if it is going down the best option is to change the tyre

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

As im hoping to ride it next weekend for the first time i dont want to have any worries about the safety of the bike, so im going to take it to the pro's to get it sorted just for peace of mind. I also want to learn the mechanics of the bike inside-out so it'll be useful practise to remove and replace the wheel.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

I had the same idea when I got Suzi, I bought a Haynes manual so I could have some advice.

Since I have had her I have re-wired the indicators and the speedo, replaced the rear brake switch, changed the rear and front sprockets along with the chain and changed the oil, oil filter and spark plugs.

Good luck with getting the tyre sorted and enjoy working on her.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Thanks Cymraeg, by the way - nice looking bike :-):-) but my keychains got a red sv on it!

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

No.
Leave the chain tensioners alone.

Remove 2x caliper hanger bolts (12mm)
Drop caliper
Remove spindle nut
Knock out spindle
Pull chain off sprocket
Remember where all the spacers go.

You're done.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

If you don't undo the testion on the rear wheel it makes putting the rear spindle back in difficult

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Not particularly. Just sit on the floor with your boot under the wheel, wiggle the wheel with one hand and instert the spindle with the other.

Avoids all the messing around "oh my wheels are pointing in different directions" "I tightened the chain and now I've had a pingf*ck".

It really isn't that hard to do.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

I found it nigh on impossible and thats why I un-did them just to make it easier (IIRC Haynes recommend it too.)

I don't think KJ is not going to want to be sat on the floor wiggling her wheel to get it back in when she can just slide the spindle in and re-adjust the chain, which is alot easier to do...

Personal preference I suppose...

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Hmm... Im going to try and remove it tomorrow lunchtime when ive got an uninterrupted couple of hours and i was planning on leaving the tensioners alone if possible, i quite enjoy a bit of a wiggle on the floor ;-)

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

You may need something to tap the spindle out with. A long flat ended punch does the trick.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

I was going to use a rubber mallet. The guy on you-tube also suggested greasing it before replacing, what grease would be best do you think, or is this unnecessary in your opinion?

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Just lithium multipurpose grease is fine.
Also get some LM behind the RHS spacer. Keeps it stuck in place a little as you refit everything.

Yes rubber mallet is good, but something like a 3/8" extension bar may be needed to knock the spindle through.

Also when refitting, when spindle is back through everything but before you tighten axle nut, stand behind bike and knee the back wheel forwards to ensure all slack is take out of chain tensioners.

Re: Rear wheel removal
 

Update: Rear wheel removed , no problem at all :-) Off to Stamford Suzuki this afternoon to get tyre sorted, taking OH's credit card!!