Front wheel removal


I've gotta say, genius. I'm usually pretty good at coming up with stuff like this, but huge kudos to whoever you stole this from, and thanks for posting it. Also gave me a use for one of the half dozen spark plug sockets I have lying around.
 
Joesmoe said:
@bcbatman I know it's been six years . . .

Might you refresh the media that you posted back when ?

Front wheel removal
Click to expand...

Not sure who posted 6 years ago, but to remove the front wheel, 1) lift the front wheel off the ground, I used a motorcycle lift/jack under the engine. 2) remove calipers, 3) loosen pinch bolts, 4) use a 19mm or ¾" allen tool to thread the axle/spindle out. If you don't have access to an allen that size, a ¾" spark plug socket can be used by inserting a ⅜" drive extension into the wrong end and using the hex end as your allen tool (some have a ridge in the drive preventing an extension from going in that direction, some don't. It may also be necessary to remove the foam rubber insert from the socket). Again I say genius! If you don't have a ¾" spark plug socket, a bolt with a 19mm or ¾" hex head can be used by jamming 2 nuts onto the shaft and putting the head into the allen hole in the end of the axle. When you remove the axle and the wheel, keep track of the spacers on both sides of the wheel. The torque specs I found for replacing the wheel are 48 ft. lbs. for the axle, 16 ft. lbs. for the pinch bolts, and 30 ft. lbs. for the caliper mounting bolts.
I hope that's what you're looking for.
 
I realize that this thread is old but the problem remains the same. As I get ready to change the tires on my 2015 R3T, I noticed the big allen head needed to get the axle out. I found this thread and it is very useful. I went out and found that the plug socket tip worked beatifully. I tried the four of five standard plug sockets that I had and they all worked but all but one was slightly loose but not enough to round out the female allen socket in the axle.

But... just for the heck of it, I checked Amazon and they have a 19 mm 1/2" Drive Hex Bit Socket for $8.99 as I write this. Even though the plug socket works fine, I went ahead and ordered it. Of course, you can probably find the same or a similar adapter easily elsewhere including the big-box stores or local hardware stores. It's cheaper than 19mm allen wrench and you can't set the torque with an allen wrench.

That said, the plug socket thing is a really good idea. I'm just a tool freak and use any excuse to buy a new tool.
 
Heartily endorse resurrecting old threads when still useful.

We often suggest folks search the site before posting their questions -- the Rocket captains past and present are a mighty smart and helpful bunch - a beautiful combination - and most of what is asked has been addressed before.

One should always feel welcome to ask, just the same.

Thank you @ZoneIII
 


Yep! In fact, it was a search that found this thread and this forum has been very useful. It's great to have such a resource for a machine that isn't very common - at least not in my neck of the woods. In fact, I've owned my R3T for a year now and, in that time, I've never seen another R3T even on a solo 6,000 trip to the west coast and back I took last year. The only Rocket I've ever seen was a Roadster passing (quickly!) in the opposite direction on a freeway in Wisconsin. Most people who ask about the bike have never even heard of a Rocket. So having a forum like this is very valuable for Rocket owners.

Thanks!
 
Rocket sightings are precious few and far between, and partly explains perhaps the popularity of the Rockets Across America and Rockets Down Under gatherings.
 
Yeah, living in metric land, finding a 19 mm allen socket wasn't exactly hard. Just went to the store.

The rear wheel needs a 14, if I recall corretly.

But a good bike stand and a lift plate adapter for the bike comes in handy. Had no problem detaching the rear wheel and the front should be even easier.
 

For this job I went and got a bolt with a 19mm head (M12 from memory) wound 2 nuts onto it and locked them together, put a spanner on the nuts, and boom, instant socket wrench.
 
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