BMW GSA front wheel removal

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Tools to do the job 17mm socket - front axel wheel nut (30Nm) 13mm socket - brake caliper bolts (38Nm) T45 - front axel pinch bolts (19Nm) T30 - speed sensor (8Nm) Torque wrench Socket wrench

[@BrianBurton-b7z]

You are one of the few who remove the ABS/speed sensor, and are very smart for doing such. Some great wheel removal vids out there, yet the host doesn't remove the sensor and get out of harms way which is surprising to me. Damage that sensor or the ABS ring on the wheel, and you have some problems coming. Great vid and thanks for posting!!!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hey Brian, thank you very much for your comments! Much appreciated! You are spot on. Its worth the extra 30 seconds to take it out and be safe. Thanks for watching. Cheers. Billy

[@nigelcooper8204]

What a great video. Been riding bikes all my life and only now in semi retirement am I starting do do my own maintenance .. wheels, tyres brake pads etc so easy to follow videos like yours are a god send. Thank you for your simple instructions .. gives people like me a bit of confidence. 😀

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Nigel for watching and the great feedback. So great to hear that it helped and that you are getting in to your own maintenance. Good luck mate. Cheers. Billy

[@rumien1383]

Short and to the point. No messing about. Excellent video 😊

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thank you mate for watching the video and for your comments. Cheers. Billy

[@leorochbr]

Awesome, very clear and straight to the point video. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Leo. Thanks for watching and your comments. Much appreciated. Cheers. Billy

[@arminm6527]

Front axel 30 nm Axel pinch bolts 19nm Brake caliper bolts 38 nm Thanks for the tutorial and the useful informations. 👍

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Armin. Thanks for watching and you comments. Greta to hear the video helped. Cheers. Billy

[@PeterBaumgart1a]

One detail to be aware of: If you take the dismounted front wheel somewhere, for example to get a new tire, remove or secure the little bushing/spacer that sits inside the axle bore on the ABS ("speed sensor") side! I almost lost it the first time :-)

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

So true, easily lost. Thanks for watching. Hope it helped. Cheers. Billy

[@marcfalardeau6058]

Dave Moss advises us to pull the brake lever fully for the final torque of bolts thus allowing the calipers to align perfectly with rotors! Nice episode! Marc, Quebec 🇨🇦 😉🏍🌨️🥶

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

HI Marc. Thanks for watching and sharing the experience from Dave Moss. Will make sure to implement this the next time if do this. Cheers. Billy

[@MrFady62]

Thank you. It is very important to take care about torque settings. Nice, clean and easy video. Thanks again.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Mr Fady62 for your support on the video. Glad you found it helpful. Let me know if there is anything else you would like me to look at in a video. 👍🏼 ride safe

[@motoboh4656]

nice instructional vid, thanks! you might wanna mention that there's a spacer bushing only on the left side of the wheel, as it easily can fall out and leave people wondering which side it came from. Oh and almost forgot, very important to pump the brakes after removing either wheel, as the pads will be loose and the first time you hit the brake the lever will bottom out and you will NOT stop.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

All great suggestions. I think I can add this in as text on the screen to inform folks so will look to do that. Thanks for watching and your feedback! Cheers. Billy

[@antonybarnett6870]

Many Thanks for the clear video and for letting us have the Torque settings which can save a headache.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks for watching Antony and for your comment 👍🏼🙏. Great to hear it has helped. Stay safe. Billy 👍🏼

[@clubmotobmwmontreal7445]

What a clear and detailed video. The best of its kind as far as I'm concerned. Thank you Billy.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks for watching the video and your comment 🙏👍🏼 really appreciate the support! Stay safe. Billy

[@steves2694]

For GS owners who find they need a 22mm hex bit for axle removal, before buying an individual 22mm bit or a 4 way hex bit adapter, look at an auto or lawnmower spark plug socket to see if it has a hex fitting on one end (not smooth round). Mine did, and it was exactly 22mm. Used a drive extension through the reversed socket and it worked great!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Neat tip that Steve, thanks 👍🏼. Ride safe

[@rocksnroadsadventure4247]

Awesome video and very nicely explained each steps.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated 👍🏼👏. Cheers. Billy

[@billy4rocks]

From one billy to another, thanks very much i shall be doing this soon.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Cheers Billy! Sounds like it was useful. Good luck. Ride safe. Billy

[@juani1065]

Very nice video, many thanks Billy. I would add that both calipers needs to be away. As I don't have a jack here I use a rope with a heavy weight attached to the rear frame to hold the front wheel high.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi juan1065. Thanks for watching and your comments! Nice improvising with keeping the front wheel up! Thanks for adding your comment about the brake calipers. Stay safe. Billy

[@matthewmiller3639]

Thanks for clear and excellent video!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Matthew for watching and your feedback! Cheers. Billy

[@mickd802]

Nice video👍 you could of mentioned the spacer in the front wheel for people that were removing the wheel to have tyres fitted so it was not lost and I was always taught to suspend the callipers with a zip tie so not to put strain on the lines, I know you only had the wheel out for video purposes but again if your changing tyres they could be hanging for some time

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

All great points and will carry forward. Thanks for feedback and for watching. Cheers. Billy

[@soloadvtravel]

Thanks yet again for a super video! I guess my question would be what if I am on the road, say going down Baja peninsula, Mexico… how to manage the front wheel..?lift, as well as size if tools needed.. cheers!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi again. Bike on centre stand. Then just make sure you have a good tool kit with you. Here is a link to a good tool kit that is small lite and compact kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnO7kISNps1_g8U you can add to it if needed but this these two tool bags with the wheel wedge would be all you needed to remove both wheels and change tyres on the bike. 👍🏼

[@Lukesh30253]

Your awesome billy thanks man really !

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

No problem 👍🏼 thanks for watching. Stay safe. Billy

[@dalehawkes1698]

Great video well done 🏍👍

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Dale 👍🏼👍🏼

[@Gdugardier]

Thanks a lot for this tutorial, really helpful and very well done !!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Gdugardier for watching and your comment. 👍 Stay safe. Billy

[@gipri6413]

Thanks a lot! No useless things, only fact and very clear, but smart! 😊

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks for watching and the feedback. Much appreciated and great to hear that the content was useful. Cheers Billy

[@Magyarblez]

With this video easy to do. Thanks!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Yes it was👍🏼

[@policiaciviltoxicos9088]

Good vídeo, TKS, Ader (Brazil)

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Ader for watching. Hope it was useful for you. Stay safe. Billy

[@Lukesh30253]

Your the friend we all wish we had

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thank you !! Glad to have helped. Stay safe. Billy

[@JoaquinChea]

Great video Billy, what type of grease goes on the spindle? Thanks for sharing!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Joaquin. Thanks for watching, your comment and question. Grease that is formulated for slip yoke drive shafts, high temps bearings etc is best. As long as it has these or a mixture of these then yo should be fine. Good luck. Stay safe. Billy

[@rickdelmonte1682]

Nice video, straight to the point. One question: out on the trail, you need to get the front wheel off, can you do it without removing the brake calipers?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Rick. Thanks for your message! No real need to take the brake callipers off when on the trail. Only reason i do it is that it makes fitting the wheel back on so much easier when the callipers are off. But not recommended on a trail as it just means more bits off the bike that could get lost (ie calliper bolts). A good point I should have added to the video. Cheers and ride safe. Billy

[@namor7159]

Excellent video, thanks

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Namor for watching the video and for you comment! Stay safe. Billy

[@Lukeimnofather]

Does anyone know where the tyre pressure sensor is and to disconnect and take if off??

[@yycyvr]

Great video. Attempting Fork Seals. Any advice?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks for watching and your comments. Have not done fork seals myself so only advice would be to give the internet a good search and be sure your happy before you start. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Cheers. Billy

[@ClydePlatt]

Uneducated question, Billy. Do you remove the calipers on both sides or only driver’s left side you use for the demonstration?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hey mate thanks for watching. Both callipers will need to come off in order to remove the front wheel. Good luck hope all goes well. Cheers. Billy

[@farh11111]

Can I remove both front and rear tires at the same time with 1 jack? Trying to take them to tire shop for new boots. Thank you!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Yes you can but won't be perfectly balanced so will likely have to pro up the front with something as its likely to be front heavy just on the stand. Cheers Billy

[@deanwellendorf1866]

Is there one or 2 bushings on front wheel next to suspension arms

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hey mate. Thanks for watching. Only one bush on the front 👍. Cheers. Billy

[@hcasavantes]

Thanks a lot. Question: Is LOCTITE disencouraged on any of those bolts ?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hey mate. Thanks for watching and your question! I am not aware of any disencouragement but the manual does not specifically recommend or dis-encourage LOCTITE on the calliper bolts. Cheers. Billy

[@AlanMcbride-y6d]

Bit late to the party on thus one , but question is would i need to remove the front wheel to replace the front lower mudgard ive had a look and there are 2x screws underneath and looks a bugger to do with the wheel in the way im talking about the GS 1250 CHEERS

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hey mate. Thanks for watching and your question. It is a bugger and probably save you getting frustrated with how easy something should be but how hard it is to do. Also taking the wheel of good practice just in case you need to do this in the field (unless that's easy for you already). Cheers. Billy

[@AlanMcbride-y6d]

Cheers Billy for your reply by the way what type of grease do you recommend for the axle when fitting back together

[@RicardoMRachel]

Thank you Billy for sharing your knowledge, very clear. Is there a manual with the recommended torques for each bolt? If so could you with us? The manuals that came with my bike, in Brazil, did not bring this sort of information. Thank you again.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Ricardo. Thanks for watching and your comments. Click the link to go to BMW Motorrad and search for your bike and relevant Owners Manual. This will have the majority of torque data you need. Hope that helps www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/service/manuals/owners-handbook.html Cheers. Billy

[@shandusa]

Awesome tutorial, please indicate in the title the year of your GS. I believe it’s different with newer models. Thanks

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Ronnie. Thanks for your comment and feedback. My bike is 2017 so will add that title. Great to hear you found it useful. Ride safe. Billy

[@brianbuongiorno289]

Is there a need to put thread locker on any of the bolts when re-tightening? Especially on the brake calipers?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Brian. I have never used thread lock myself. Could help preserve the quality of the bolts esp off road dust, riding through streams or a lot of rain. Is this something you have done regularly in your experience? Cheers. Billy

[@brianbuongiorno289]

@@BillysBikeAdventuresI use it now after the rear brake caliper loosened itself and fell off damaging the wheel. This was mostly due to improper torque settings, but it was advised to me that thread locker would help keep the bolts tightened. This may have been from another rider, and not from BMW. Nevertheless, I use it now, as I can not see at it would hurt to use the removable type. I also put some on the axle pinch bolts. Cheers!

[@PeterBaumgart1a]

@@brianbuongiorno289 I use it to, the "mild" blue stuff. I do not use it on the rear wheel lugs, but on the calipers and the fron axle bolt I do. And I have never fallen off my bike since I started doing this, so I can confidently attest that it work! ;-)

[@mcollier5895]

i've used this video EACH time a remove and re-install my rims. i have two sets of wheels, one for off, one for on, road... i've got some requests... one, please type and leave posted, the tools we use for the removal/install, also, i LEFT OFF the left side spacer and it cost me my speed señsor and ABS function! $$$, can you re-emphasize this ? thx.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Mark. Thanks for watching and your comments. I will add and pin a post for the tools for the job, great suggestion! Sorry to hear about your spacer issue. Unable to add anything to the video now that its on YT to remind folks about adding the spacer back in. Will add to the comments and in the description, another good suggestion. Cheers Billy

[@johnsharp6618]

Ive got a r1100gs i cant get the axke out even after doing everything you have shown, any advice ?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

That is a toughy. Give a good dosing with WD40 to see if that helps. Other wise just a case of persisting with it. Sounds like there was no grease on it previously. Nothing wrong with giving the opposite end of the axel a bit of a harder punch with the hammer and some wood. Let me know ho you get on. Cheers Billy

[@FranksBmwAdv]

Great video. Do you need special adapter for axel. Hex tool??

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Frank. Thanks for watching the video and your question! You will need torx head tool to include different sizes for the pinch bolts on the front axel and the speed sensor. The axel on the front wheel requires a socket. 13mm from memory. Let me know if you have any other questions. Stay safe. Billy

[@wine_country_moto]

Great videos. How does one balance the bike while on the center stand when removing both wheels at the same time? I’m assuming chalking up the rear with some wood blocks?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Michael. Thanks for watching and good question. I would imagine there are many ways but I have not had to think about it as never taken both wheels off at same time. But off the top of my head wooden blocks under the shaft drive, rope tied to luggage frame (if you have it) slung over an overhead beam, or if you have a bike ramp / lift, then there would be points to tie down with. Hope that helps. Good luck. Cheers Billy

[@wine_country_moto]

@@BillysBikeAdventures I found that with the scissor lift alone the bike is perfectly balanced while both wheels are off. Thanks again.

[@corvus5464]

Thanks for this. Very clear, well organized, very helpful. Just out of curiosity, what is the brand and model of your front tire ? Also any need to inspect or service the axle bearing once it is out ?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hey. Thanks for watching and your comments! The tires at that time were Michelin Anakee III. Really good tire, no complaints at all about them. Only reason I did not go with them again was at the time of purchase for news ones the Anakee III's were out of stock in the UK for months. Cheers Billy

[@mcollier5895]

164 positive comments and zero negative comments. yep. great video. i do appreciate you giving all the torque values. you may wish to incorporate written notes in the side bar so riders can write down all the values... just a suggestion.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Mark. Thanks for watching the video and your comments. Great to hear it was useful. Nice idea with the on screen notes 👍🏼. Will take that forward. Stay safe. Billy

[@officerdangle1920]

Is it necessary to have the jack for roadside repair/ tire change? Great video! Thanks in advance

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Mike. Thanks for watching and your question! You will need to prop the front up some how as the front end naturally wants to drop forward so use what you can to prop it up. It will be a struggle to do this without some front end support. Hope that helps. Cheers. Billy

[@PeterBaumgart1a]

@@BillysBikeAdventures Another way to do this (lifting the front) is to load your paniers and add some heavy weights in the back! (E.g. a rock if on the trail.) Works like a charm!

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

That a great on the trail example of being able to do that 👍. Cheers. Billy

[@eduardootero8560]

YouI forgat to pump the brake to bring the pads closer to de disc.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi thanks for watching and your comment. I did do that but did not show it in the video so thanks for the feedback! Cheers. Billy

[@abiodunadeyemi3812]

Thank you. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Welcome and thanks for watching! Cheers. Billy

[@bobvandick2546]

Did you take off both brake calipers, or just one?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Bob. I took both the callipers off the front. Apologies I should have stated that in the video. You don't need to take them off but it is much easier to remove them than trying to get the wheel back on and getting the discs and pads to line up as well. Good luck. Stay safe. Billy

[@bobvandick2546]

Thanks Billy👍🏻

[@bergenwireless8027]

What type of grease do you recommend to put on the front axel ???

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Any really, just as long as the axel is cleaned each time removed and new grease applied. I use a lithium moly grease. Ride safe. Billy

[@pattabet5872]

Nice video, I assume the procedure is the same for the 1250 GSA.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Pat. Thanks for watching the video and for your comment and question. The only difference will be the different callipers (unless you have brembo ones) but even with different callipers you can either choose to take them off or leave in. I like to take mine off as I can give them a good clean as well. Good luck. Stay safe. Billy. 👍🏼

[@pattabet5872]

@@BillysBikeAdventures Thank you for the quick reply, great videos.

[@iam_mono1892]

Quick question, is there 2 spacers or just the one on the ABS side of the wheel? I’ve taken the wheel off found one spacer, but worried I’ve lost one or there isn’t one. Many thanks for any help

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Iam Mono. Just the one spacer so you have not lost one. Are you changing tyres or just some maintenance. Good luck. Billy

[@iam_mono1892]

Billys Bike Adventures thank you for the response. Changing tyres, and pads once they arrive.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Ah nice job. Good luck with it. What tyres you putting on?

[@iam_mono1892]

Billys Bike Adventures the subject of tyres on a GS is very contentious subject. I have installed the Metz Roadtecs.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Very nice. Contentious indeed. I have seen the same question on a couple of the FB pages, then the arguments start 😂. Good luck with the change and fitting 👍🏼

[@davidtubert]

Thank you very much But thé speed capteur there is on the back wheel

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Favid. Thanks for watching the video and your comment. It’s a speed sensor. Both wheels have one each. Check your manual. 👍🏼. Stay safe. Billy

[@davidtubert]

@@BillysBikeAdventuresthank you

[@bobvandick2546]

What year is your GS adventure, and do you think that the same procedure would work on a standard GS?

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Bob. Thanks for your question. The year model is 2017. First year the TFTs were introduced so manufactured toward the end of 2017. Secondly the removal would be the same albeit for a different year there maybe some size differences in the sockets or spanner’s required but I can’t imagine that if yours is about the same age. Let me know if you have any other questions. 👍🏼. Stay safe. Billy

[@bobvandick2546]

I’ve got a 2018 Ralleye edition. Your video was clear and concise, thank you!👍🏻

[@colin7575]

Yeah,I always use med strength loctite

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

I will be sure to start using this 👍🏼

[@BjornDD-93]

which torque wrenches are you using ? if i may ask

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Bjorn. I don’t use anything specialised. Just regular torque wrench. Draper is thee brand I am using here in the UK. Stay safe. Billy

[@cassin11]

Don't forget to mention that there's a washer on one side of the wheel hub and there's an O ring for the speed sensor. Folks can easily lose those

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Cass. Great points i should have added! Stay safe. Billy

[@timg9134]

So, there is only a week spacer on one side? Being the speed sensor side? I bought a used 2016 gsa and took front wheel off and only see kne spacer. This has me concerned because any dirtbike I've ever done has two. Confirmation would be great.

[@cassin11]

@@timg9134 One on left side - 2019 GS/A onwards. I guess it's the same on earlier models but you can check with bmw motorcycle parts online

[@massinissaharani892]

Thank you

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

You’re welcome. Glad it helped 👍🏼. Stay safe. Billy

[@richardbriggs1335]

Most importantly, don't forget to pump the brake lever after refitting the calipers

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

So true and I did this but did not show it in the video so a great recommendation. Thanks for watching and your comments! Cheers Billy

[@AB-hx9hs]

You should specify which model year this is as they are different. Watched this and it did not help me.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi baba mama. Thanks for watching and the feedback. I will be sure to identify the bike model in future videos so thank you for the feedback. Cheers Billy

[@mcollier5895]

i'm re-watching this - so i can make a list of tools an torque values - so i can idiot-proof my chore... the only thing you left out was what tool was required to remove the speed sensor... just a tiny observation... cheers.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Mark thanks for watching the video and for your comment. Apologies I left out the torx head size for the speed sensor. Good luck with the removal of the wheel 👍🏼. Stay safe and thanks for the feedback 👍🏼

[@SlawekFJR]

Coud you write for torque for each bolt in front wheel?? Just to make it clear for me. Or edit description and write all torque for each bolts. Thank You :)

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi Slawek. Thanks for your comment and your suggestion. I have now added the information to the description and copied here. Axel nut 30Nm Pinch bolts 19Nm Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions. Stay safe. Billy

[@SlawekFJR]

@@BillysBikeAdventures calipers?? ; and abs/speed sensor

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Callipers 38 Ann Speed sensor 8 Nm 👍🏼

[@SlawekFJR]

@@BillysBikeAdventures thank you. That’s all I need- in front wheel 👍🙏

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Your welcome 👍🏼

[@mcollier5895]

... yea, so i did go thru it a third time, and delete if repetitive... but IF a person is switching between rims, say, you've got two sets of front rims, one for on, one for off road, the ONE piece that you have to carry over, is the shim on the left side. there is a shim / spacer that MUST be taken from one set of rims to the other. if you don't do this, you could be in trouble. like i was. did

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Another great suggestion Mark. I will make this point as well! Cheers Billy

[@arektokarski9508]

Very helpful. Thank you. A sub and like from me ;-D

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks Arek for watching subbing and liking. Your support much appreciated. Let me know if you have any questions. Cheers. Billy

[@ercdmr]

pls speak easy. u lıke bumble bee. we learn english for second language. easy easy.

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Hi erc dmr. Thank you for the feedback. I will go back to the video this weekend and put subtitles on there as well, hopefully that will help. If you have any questions please let me know! Your English will definitely be better than any other language I can speak so I appreciate your feedback. Ride safe! Billy

[@ercdmr]

@@BillysBikeAdventures thx :)

[@rcknrog1]

@@BillysBikeAdventures You speak wonderfully, and the subtitles obscure some of the working details. GREAT video

[@BillysBikeAdventures]

Thanks cabin 41. Thanks for watching and your comments. You can switch off the subtitles in the bottom right hand corner on KZbin when watching. Hope that helps to give a better view. Let me know. Cheers. Billy