Removing front wheel

[SMC]

OK all you mechanically gifted people.

I'm asking for guidance and little tips on this project that has been dumped into the lap of this mechanically challenged FJR owner.

I was washing and waxing the bike today when I noticed the front tire looked a little low.

Got the air gauge out and it showed 10 psi, just a week ago I rode the bike and had 40 psi. Looked for the perverbial nail/screw/staple in the tire and nadda nothing.

Dragged the compressor over and filled front tire back up to 40 psi. and finished cleaning the bike.

Checked the pressure and it was down to 20 psi.

Dragged the compressor back over to refill and the air valve twisted around and the air came rushing out of the base of the air valve.

So now I have to remove the front wheel so I can bring it into a Yamaha dealer so they can remove the tire, put in a new air valve, remount the tire, and rebalance so I can schlep the assembly home and remount it on the FJR.

I figure I can put my car jack with a piece of 2 X 4 under the header pipes and jack up the bike so the front wheel is off the ground.

Do I remove the brake calipers first? and do I put something inbetween the pads so they don't close up so I can get them back on over the discs? Can I let them dangle of do I have to cinch them up to something?

Do I have to remove the ABS assembly or detach any part or connection?

When I loosen the pinch bolts, can I loosen them just a little or do I have to back them out all the way?

Can I use a wrench to loosen the axle or is there a socket wrench big enough to go over the axle nut?

Can anyone recommend a torque wrench that is accurate and won't cost over $100 dollars?

Any insights and tips would be appreciated as I am definitely not a very good wrench.

 

[Warchild]

FJRTech: Removing/Reinstalling the ABS Front Wheel

 

[Old Michael]

If I could offer this - I'm not the most mechanical sumbitch. You should be able to change out that valve stem without removing the wheel OR tire. If you can break the bead with the wheel on the bike, you could change the valve stem. And a C-clamp would work I think. Am I wrong?

 

[SMC]

:blink: Thanks Warchild, even though the info and diagrams are for an 2004 ABS, I'm pretty sure they haven't changed too much from the 2006 ABS.

Still wondering if anyone can recommend a good torque wrench, cost and where to purchase one.

Scott

 

[Charlie Hoss]

:blink: Thanks Warchild, even though the info and diagrams are for an 2004 ABS, I'm pretty sure they haven't changed too much from the 2006 ABS.
Still wondering if anyone can recommend a good torque wrench, cost and where to purchase one.

Scott

I like my Craftsman clicker wrench, purchased for about $79. Occasionally they are on sale for $59.

 

[FJstaR]

cheap Harbor Freight

recommended Craftsman

Best Snap On

 

[Fencer]

you will also need a 19mm allen head,

$6.95 at napa OR reverse a spark plug socket (should work) Info in the TECH page link from WC

 

[Lake Powell]

Before you get too far into this repair, get some machined 90 degree stems from Bike Effects.

 

[tyronewildman]

Also---some have complained about the reflector being in the way of the caliper bolts & they are right. Just loosen (but don't remove) the reflector screw just enough to let the reflector move out of the way & it's cake...Later,,, De

 

[teerex51]

Before you get too far into this repair, get some machined 90 degree stems from Bike Effects.

Absolutely. :clapping:

They'll take a lot of unnecessary fumbling out of checking the tire pressure.

(...and if you have wave rotors you can finally stop mangling your knuckles every time....)

Stef

 

[JimLor]

smc - once you get the wheel off - if you go that route, you can let the forks down on two jackstands. Or, you can pile heavy stuff on the "trunk lid" and get the bike on the back wheel. I personally don't like letting the bike rest on the jack alone for any length of time. And the spark plug socket works just great! You just have to make sure you get one without "shoulders" on the inside so you can insert the extension from the inside. If it has shoulders it won't let you do that. Got mine at Lowe's for about $5.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I think Ol' mikey is onto something here. Though you'd need to mark the tire to be sure your balance wasn't affected, I think it's quite possible.

:jester:

 

[Go Far]

I lift the front wheel with a jack and wood under the header, then a jack stand under the fork tube for insurance. Throw a rag over the front break lever and try not to think about squeezing it. :headbonk: