How to Remove and Replace a Front Motorcycle Wheel

CanyonChasers walk through the step-by-step process of removing and replacing a front motorcycle wheel.
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[@beardlydelusion4550]

great video, i just got my tyre changed and the shop put the wheel on backwards, didn't notice until i got home. this video saved me from going back to the shop and made me realize how simple the job was

[@marcbenarouche3604]

I had to change one front break disk.I was asked to pay 350 euros for the operation.Because of this video and AliExpress i did it my self for 50 euros.Thnanx sooo much.

[@perryjones8997]

Wow...one of the most concise, informative and easy to follow KZbin videos ive seen. Very very informative! Bought a Victory with bad front tire...scared to drive it the 15 miles to nearest dealer...new to bikes so was stuck...now, with the help of this video and the service manual...will attempt this to take wheel in to have tire replaced. Thank you so much!

[@stephenmacon4119]

Thank you, Sir. I've got a 999s that I'm about to change the front tire on and I'm studying this to make sure of the right sequence to start for tightening and loosening.

[@RevlineMotors]

Thanks man. Your video made the tire change on both my 1000RRs very easy.

[@apmasterl]

Thank you for your answer and this great video. Clicked "LIKED" and subscribed.

[@darbinreyes]

This video is great! Very clear explanation and picture quality.

[@mariusm5187]

Great video, well detailed and simple.

[@walkerrog25]

Awesome instructional vid! Very clear and thorough. Wish my bike was so clean :)

[@ramondelahavana]

Very well done. 👏 👌 😌 I feel 100000 percent confident after watching this

[@dads420]

Thanks for the video! Lots of useful easily understandable directions.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

You can always find solid advice on this channel. Thanks.

[@CanyonChasers]

Thanks, I was just thinking it's probably time to redo this video. :)

[@willmcgregor7184]

Thanks I’m planning some trips & I need to learn more about bike maintenance.

[@anthonyscott16]

Great lesson. This was really helpful. Thanks!

[@15061952]

Very well done ! Nice video, clean environment, clear explanation. F.

[@marcsmith297]

Very well presented and clear. Well done.

[@fabiopacca5028]

Very cool and simple. All my bikes were single front disc brake and now I know what to do with my Ducati Hyperstrada.

[@spelunkerd]

That's a very concise and well spoken review. Sub'd!

[@thisguy8100]

Great video!!!! Love the shop dogs

[@MrTinman818]

GREAT video! Thanks for posting. Just got new pilot powers and would like to take the wheels off before taking them to the shop

[@davetechme]

Great video, thanks! The last bit where you talk about engaging the front brakes and bouncing the front a few times to align the forks before tightening things down, are you supposed to do that with or without the front stand?

[@geraldkeller2937]

Great video. Thanks!!

[@lisahummel7795]

Hi, I am new to wrenching my own bike. I took the front tire off to change the fender. So, do I do the bounce thing to set the forks and then the string trick to align? Lisa

[@mydigitalcd]

Great insights... thanks, bro!!!

[@spheraminecoop2647]

Hello, Hoping to get your highly recommended suggestion for purchasing an m/c lift that would both facilitate/accommodate the removal of either the front and rear wheels. THANK U!

[@khyoon14]

GREAT review.

[@jolt222]

great! thanks for posting this!

[@Burzibg]

Great video man 10x !

[@Greco1114]

Thanks mate. I usually use a tube as an extension to create more leverage. But, the comment was for the video actually. He makes it look so easy, which I presume you know is not. ;)

[@eananstrain]

great video, nice and clear thanks.

[@lgb1617]

Well Nancy, you forgot the wheel spacer on the left side... as you were banging on the axle. :) Though, I do like the fact you applied grease.

[@MINNESOTAMARINE]

Nice shop you got there!

[@dsm2nrs]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@machocamaroz28]

great tut, good job

[@BellatorCQC]

Are there any alternative greases that can be used on the axle? Things like white lithium grease, etc?

[@arisafghanzada]

What is your recommended process for removing a Ducati 848 rear wheel? Do you suggest simply removing the retaining clip, nut, washer and taper washer from the right side? or do you suggest removing the wheel from the eccentric hub? Thanks for your input.

[@patriick2310]

Very clear!

[@CanyonChasers]

@Bulgdoom No, you need to remove the calipers on most motorcycles. The calipers actually sit inside the wheel. If you were to leave the calipers on, the wheel would just hit the calipers.

[@boobtube6660]

Great job .. Very helpful who needs a manual when there's KZbin ...

[@Taubenshit]

very good video .. thanks dude : )

[@stevevancampfort9392]

I'm new to racing bikes and I ve got a question on the bit where you say it's better to push the brake pads back for more space Before you push them back, you probally have removed the brake reservoir cover I guess or did you leave the reservoir closed maybe dumb question, but I've been told if you leave the reservoir closed you can damage the brake cilinder due to pressure greetz from belgium

[@docmarc36]

excellent... thank you.

[@ArcanePath360]

Just how bendable are the rotors? Are they cheap Chinese steel? (I have a Kymco) I'm wondering if I've bent mine slightly as I'm getting a chirping noise as I'm going along. I didn't think twisting the calipers to open up the pads would hurt them. I'd go out and check but it's snowing right now :(

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Thanks Nancy .😜

[@SuperSenior3211]

thanks!!! great video :) briefly thought you had a panda walking around at 0:22 :D

[@CanyonChasers]

Aww, thats old man Jake. He went to the giant dog park in the sky several years ago. We still miss him.

[@Sparksnorthern]

Don't you DARE snarf things up! Nancy, you are a badass.

[@matthewfall1991]

I am trying to get my front brake caliper off on my yamaha majesty and it doesnt want to budge after I have taken off the 2 retaining bolts. Am I missing something here? everyone has taken their caliper off with easy by hand?

[@CanyonChasers]

@eleetgamer Yes, I did. You can see the spacer at about 5:10

[@egustafson]

love it!

[@MyYogiBoy]

How important is the torque on tightening the bolts, do you know the specs on how tight to tighten them on a 03 R1?

[@crash86ed]

@Testingpointer1 Either you're brake pads are worn way down, or you need to clean the cyldinders in your caliper. Dust from your brake pads builds up on them and prevents them from retracting fully into the caliper.

[@steviebm6]

Great vid

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes, if you have older or heavier calipers, or if they are going to be un-attached for an extended amount of time, you can support them. But modern calipers are really light compared to calipers of yesterday (unless you have the new Brembo mono-blocks, those guys are stout!)

[@CanyonChasers]

@hasonme Excellent! I'm glad to hear it. Enjoy those new rotors! :D

[@jennen2008]

very nice thanks alot

[@AndrejSpilevoj]

Hello, I have a new Chinese 50cc scooter. It came with the wheel off. When I assembled it it spins with some noise like it was touching something, is it OK or the disc should touch nothing at all but the brake pads only? Maybe that's them that make noise? After a good ride I did not find the disc hot so I presume this is not a big issue or am I wrong?

[@tyreefranklin8243]

how much does it cost to just get it professionally done, also can u bring in a new wheel for the mech to change?

[@monasty71]

That is so right the ARROWS on the the sidewalls!!!!

[@ryanriggs1992]

i assume you take it off the stand before bouncing the front end? then put it back on and tighten everything up?

[@hamidghileshamdi6475]

what about the rear tire and how can i do it if i'm alone ?

[@Fahrenheit38]

I'm real new to bikes, my question is. Where is the bearings? Is it just the smooth axle shaft inside the wheel?

[@ygourvennec]

nice bike! 2004 Multisrada?

[@monasty71]

You have a point there!!

[@Vo0Do0972]

yeh it is really interesting as I have noticed that on most tires I buy the tread pattern goes "backwards" and opposite to the rear.... even though the directional arrow is correct. I assume it has to do with tyre design, and the way the front works opposed to the rear and is way over my head but interesting still.

[@alabaska182]

Great vid! What type of front stand did you use? I like the way it's mounted with the 90 degree bracket

[@CanyonChasers]

+AWD Spitfire Oh that was a Lockhart Phillips front stand and it was a hateful pile of rubbish. I believe this video was the last time we used it before replacing it with a Pit Bull front stand.

[@alabaska182]

Oh haha! Thanks for the reply, I'm designing/building a hydraulic lift for sport-bikes (University project) and was just looking at multiple best ways to make a fork connection with a linear style of lift. I'm assuming most of the front connections would be fairly unstable lifting above half a foot, but since we need access to the pinch bolts a "cup/swivel" design may not work. Damn!

[@2002MX5]

I'm lucky enough to have a steel exposed ceiling beam running down the center of my garage. I use rachet straps connected to handlebars to lift front tire off ground, bike on center stand.

[@CanyonChasers]

Most shops will charge an hour of labor per wheel to remove and replace. Yes, you can bring in your own tire, but most shops will charge you an extra $15-$25 to mount/balance your tire. It's usually a lot cheaper to buy your tire from the shop, plus, the shop will take care of you if the tire is bad and/or won't balance correctly.

[@groundhogdaymoto3425]

For those thinking the tire is mounted backwards, on every brand and model of tire I've ever used the tread on the front is opposite of the rear. That is the sipes run from the center of the tire towards the front of the bike vs the rear where the sipes run from the center towards the rear of the bike. I've read theories as to why this is, the best I've heard being that for channeling water/dirt the rear sipes are optimized for acceleration and the front sipes are optimized for braking.

[@biboguy1]

Hello, I hope you can see my comment. Great video, I did everything you said but not jouncing the motorcycle. I went for a ride and whenever the front wheel turns I lose front brake pressure, I had to pump the brakes a couple of times for it to work, mind you that when I’m stopped and I pump the brakes, it holds but once I start moving I get no front brakes before I do a couple of pumps again. I tired spinning the wheel on the stand and it would do the same thing whenever I spin the wheel . Any advise would be greatly helpful. Thanks !!

[@CanyonChasers]

Are the brake pads in the correct location? Did you bend the rotor when you took the wheel off? Are the wheel spacers in the correct location? Did you miss a spacer?

[@apmasterl]

What happens with performance and risk level when the rear tire is installed backward and has been ridden that way for over a year? Should the tire be install the correct way? Or should it be left alone? Or is it no longer usable and buy a new tire? Thank you for this video.

[@CanyonChasers]

+padrote lopez I'd put it back. The rear tire is directional for optimal water displacement. Many racers will run tires backwards for half of the tires life to extend life because most tracks are either mostly left or right turns. However, never, never, never run a front tire backwards.

[@CanyonChasers]

I assure that the tire was mounted correctly and the wheel was installed correctly. You should always look at the arrows that define the tires direction, not the way the tread looks. :)

[@sisler42789]

Did you have the rear wheel/stand locked in place? I am about to do a front/rear tire change and I'm fearful that my front-stand is going to wiggle or something while the wheel is off and fall over.

[@CanyonChasers]

+Jake Sisler No, the weight of the bike usually keeps things in place, but you still want to be smart around bikes on stands. Also, only ever use a front stand if you are using a rear-stand as well. Only using a front stand is a guarantee that the bike will fall over.

[@K2Nemesis]

Watched this with volume off (shhh, don't tell, at work). Did you mention if you took off the rotors to do the tire change? I'm gathering info on tire changes, I started riding last year and ride year round and commute. Figure I'll learn how to do this and save money by doing maintenance myself. I have dual discs up front, 2004 VFR.

[@CanyonChasers]

+K2Nemesis No, just leave the rotors on. I'll be sure not to tell your boss you're watching this. :)

[@karigreyd2808]

you want the rotors to be balanced with the wheel

[@mellowflip]

Hi I know this is an old video but it was really helpful on the removal and installation of my front wheel thank you. Everything went smoothly. The wheel turned freely until I put the calipers back on. First of all, it was a li’l bit of a struggle aligning the bolts to the caliper holder. I knew something was off but I still managed to attach them with a li’l bit of elbow grease I didn’t force it too much. But now my wheel hardly turns. It’s not right. Please help anyone please... what did I do wrong?

[@CanyonChasers]

Make sure you have one brake pad on each side of the rotor. Sometimes they shift out of place and both pads end up on one side or the other.

[@mellowflip]

Thank u so much for the reply. I hope its helps. Thank you

[@etatsopa]

Once both pinch bolts are loose you can go ahead and just take them all the way back. Loose means no force on the clamp and no damage.

[@madisonspanfelner4705]

Might be a redundant comment but you guys should consider listing all the tools needed in the description. This fix doesn't require much but it wouldn't hurt for noobies.

[@lauril9043]

As soon as i removed the front wheel shaft, my bike almost fell over :D luckly had father next to the bike then. Is there any rule how to fix bike other than front stand under both front suspension?

[@CanyonChasers]

Front stand under front and rear. Maybe no rear stand if you have a center stand.

[@andyle0609]

WHat grease did you use???

[@whg22]

how do you remove front well from a 2001 Gsx-R 750

[@salchipapa8000]

can you do a quick clip of how you align the tire by " bouncing " on it ? i want to see how this aligns the front tire so that when i get my sport bike i can take the wheels off =)

[@demonic6340]

Would this work for a dongfang 250cc city cruiser

[@CanyonChasers]

I honestly am not familiar with that bike, but fundamentally it should be very similar.

[@5TRYD4]

NOW THE REAR WHEEL ON A SHAFT DRIVE. MUHAHAHAHA MMUHAHAH !!

[@michaelsienicki9781]

Hey while my front tire was off i accidently hit the front brake and it locked up, what should I do to fix this problem?

[@CanyonChasers]

Just use a big, wide, flat screwdriver and slowly work it between the pads and push them back into the caliper. It happens all the time, it's not a big deal.

[@CanyonChasers]

For the actual torque settings, you will need to consult the Yamaha Factory Service Manual.

[@veightrwd8828]

Rear wheel super easy if you have a 2002 vfr800

[@adamto12]

This video is great! You could use better microphone setup to make it even better without echo.

[@CanyonChasers]

This vid is 10 years old. We probably should redo it at some point.

[@GanJinLan]

Can I use rachet wrench to remove front axle nut?....

[@CanyonChasers]

I use a normal wrench because it's usually on pretty tight, but a ratchet wrench should be fine.

[@CanyonChasers]

The bearings are inside the hub of the wheel. The axle slides in on the bearings.

[@ladonwragg9152]

that's true

[@Supernova12034]

hm... I wouldnt put any grease on the threads of the axle, as you want to put some loctite on them

[@katieflohr9517]

Great video. At the end there, it might be necessary to bleed the brake lines after reconnecting the disk brake calipers. That's what I found, when doing this. To people who are just learning, (like me) this is also is great time to inspect the disk brakes for wear. Might as well since you have them off when changing the wheel. :) ALSO new tires are slippery until they get broken in. Do lots of turns to scuff in the sides on dry days.

[@kris54241]

You 100% do not need to bleed brakes after removing calipers. There would not be any reason this would need to be done.

[@tdneVmo]

At 2:13 when you loosen the bolts in turns, the bolts are already loose. That has no effect at all. When they are tight, you will have to loosen number 1 a little bit(1/4 of a turn), then number 2, and number 1 again. When you started switching between loosening 1 and 2, they were already loose, by far. If there is no resistance, when turning the bolts, they are loose.

[@ayejwatchme1652]

@2:50 I have a ton of those highly specialized tools called screw drivers

[@ayejwatchme1652]

Could just not bring it up

[@jordanrumsey2115]

@21 I thought that was a bloody panda hahah

[@paulhughes5577]

It was impossible to see or understand what was actually happening. That is why I like this video most.

[@Chefjle]

You forgot to mention Spacers on reassembly:)

[@karigreyd2808]

That's your. definition of gentle lol.

[@CanyonChasers]

Unless you change tires with a crow bar and a sledge hammer, you should be able to leave the rotors on the wheel. Just be careful not to bend them during transportation.

[@SiLeNtScReAm1315]

At :20 on the left of the screen, i thought it was a panda !! :)

[@garretttoner8113]

Me too!

[@dannyfresh6697]

What happen to the spacer you took off?

[@CanyonChasers]

+dannyfresh We put it back from whence it came, as should you. :)