Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Tech
Tech ALL bikes: "Generic" tech questions and answers. Maintenance, general discussions etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By Bucket1960
  • 1 Post By stephen.stallebrass
  • 1 Post By Bucket1960

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
Idiot changes front tire...

Hi all,

I finally got round to removing front wheel just to see if I could do it in my shed, rather than in a thunderstorm fifty miles from nowhere... Well I did, although I very cleverly tried it without putting the bike on a block first, and then couldnt get the axel out, presumably due to the pressure of the weight on the shocks. Then it got dramatic I as then figured I had to lay the bike down, but still couldnt get the wheel in. In the end, managed to find an old block of wood in the garden and with some difficulty managed to pick the bike up onto the block and then realised why you should do it like that in the first place...

My three questions be:

1. How do you change front tire on the roadside without handy block of wood?

2. After I put everything back together, the speedometer is not working, and yes I did connect it. Could it be somethnig to do with the way I attached the wheel?

3. When I put everything back together, wheel spins fine and freely but but something makes a whirring/light scraping sound, is this anything to be worried about? I think its the pads, yet the wheel spins freely enough...?

Any suggestions would, as always, be very welcome!

Many thanks!
Rtw

Last edited by ridetheworld; 5 Jul 2014 at 01:55.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Outer Sydney, Australia
Posts: 366
Quote:
Originally Posted by ridetheworld View Post
Hi all,

and then realised why you should do it like that in the first place...

20/20 hindsight is the best tool in the kit


My three questions be:

1. How do you change front tire on the roadside without handy block of wood?

Handy rock, handly wood or dig out under the wheel, providing the ground is soft enough

2. In my daftness, could I have damaged forks as at one point bike tipped forward and was resting on its forks, that said I had put a load of cushions on the ground, in case of that. Should everything be okay?

Yep....all should be fine


3. When I put everything back together, wheel spins fine and freely but but something makes a whirring/light scraping sound, is this anything to be worried about? I think its the pads, yet the wheel spins freely enough...?

Probably just the brake pads against the disc rotor

Any suggestions would, as always, be very welcome!

Many thanks!
Rtw.
.............
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
Many thanks Bucket!

Quote:
20/20 hindsight is the best tool in the kit
So true!

PS I edited 2 given that well, was probably just worrying and always asking daft questions on this forum so changed it to the more pressing matters of speedo not working :confused1:

Cheers,
Rtw
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Jul 2014
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Quote:
Originally Posted by ridetheworld View Post

How do you change front tire on the roadside without handy block of wood?
We have always managed to find something to prop the bike on; fallen tree, concrete bollard, couple of big stones, etc. I also carry some thin dyneema rope that has a breaking strain of erm, lots. I figure that worst case I can hoist one end of the bike off the ground. You can also put the bike on the sidestand and use a stick to prop the bike up or even lash it against a tree.

Most important thing is to have a good think before you start.

Am I in the most suitable place to do this or should I trundle the bike a few hundred yards under that tree for instance ?

Also, spread a rag out to put your bits on so they don't get covered in crap. I have an old tea-towel in my tool roll that does the trick
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Jul 2014
stephen.stallebrass's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 318
F800GS Front Fork Support
__________________
www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Mimbres, New Mexico, USA
Posts: 510
Not familiar with your particular bike, but on most bike with a mechanical speedo drive, the gearbox that drives the cable has pair of tangs that engage with the wheel hub. If you don't get these lined up right, it won't drive the cable, you can also ruin the gearbox when you tighten the axle bolt.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Esperance, WA
Posts: 252
It's possible to repair the front tube without removing the wheel. Obviously much easier on 21" than smaller rims. We generally just drop the bike on the side, break the bead and pull one side over the rim, pull out the tube and patch. Re-assemble and pick up the bike.
__________________
Squily
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephen.stallebrass View Post

Now amongst all the laser cut aluminium and assorted stuff to stop your bike blowing away in a hurricane was this


BestRest Products, LLC - Common Sense Kit


Made me smile


Andy
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Jul 2014
stephen.stallebrass's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 318
Enduro Star Trail Stand
__________________
www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Or


Louis Rear Wheel Motorcycle Lifter


These also help with the wooden block thing if combined with a centre stand. I have also used one when taking both wheels to a tyre place at the same time, but a car jack under the sump is better for workshop stuff like that.


Andy
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 6 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
Update,

Thanks for all the responses! Yesterday I went down to the local hardware store and bought a proper amaznig set of socket wrenches. Wow, what a difference it makes, I had the wheel back off and on again in a few minutes, instead of nearly an hour with those useless tools that came with the bike. I love my new socket wrench, what a fabulous invention. I´d honestly have never thought that I´d get so excited about spanners and wrenches! Once it all went back together, everything working and now I know how a speedometer works
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 6 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Outer Sydney, Australia
Posts: 366
PMSL @ the excited spanner owner
Glad you got it sorted fella
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 7 Jul 2014
Pongo's Avatar
R.I.P. - 2020
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cotes d'Armor, France.
Posts: 377
Chances are if your on the road you will have panniers. This is where hard panniers can be better than soft luggage, because you can use them as props. Take one off and shove it underneath the engine.

I 've done it by placing the bike on the centre stand. As the centre stand takes the rear wheel off the ground, put something heavy or press down on the back end using the centre stand as the pivot, to bring the front wheel off the ground and shoved the pannier under the bash plate/sump ( with care) to wedge it up.

Job's a good 'un!
__________________
-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
xtz front tire krcko Yamaha Tech 4 26 Mar 2014 12:58
Cusco Peru: need 110/90 19 front tire RoadWeenie SOUTH AMERICA 2 31 Jan 2014 08:28
Enduro front tire in Volgograd oblast svakak Northern and Central Asia 4 3 Sep 2013 09:16
Where should I Buy a front tire? Buenos Aires / Border with Paraguay / Brazil / USA? arooni SOUTH AMERICA 5 1 Aug 2013 05:44
front tire in santiago laroche SOUTH AMERICA 3 25 Jan 2013 02:03

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:32.