Front wheel removal

[ZoneIII]

On a related topic, do you have to remove the rotors - or at least one front rotor - to change the tires with spoons? I've asked this question on two forums but haven't received a clear answer. The answers I have received were that people didn't think you had to remove the rotors or that they had changed tires on completely different bikes and didn't have to remove the rotors. But I'm asking specifically about the R3T. I'll be changing the tires next month and the front rotors look like they may be in the way of tire spoons.

So, has anyone here changed their R3T tires themselves (not had it done by someone else)? Did you have to remove a rotor or rotors?

Also, the factory service manual says that, if you do remove the rotors, you should replace the rotor bolts. Is that really necessary? I know thread locker was used on them but that can be cleaned up.

 

[cr0ft]

Craftsman 19 mm Easy-To-Read Impact Socket, Hex Bit Standard 3/4in. Drive - why not get an actual tool? Just sayin'.

 

[Joesmoe]

You are a braver man than me. I changed the tires myself with spoons on an Aprilia Scarabeo 500, and really messed up the rims. Then I purchased a POS tire changer from Harbor Freight to try to change tires on my Honda ST1300 -- could not get it to work to save my life. Finally had a fellow rider stop, show me some tricks with plastic guards, plus he was three times stronger than me (as are most of the captains here I would wager).

No tire changing for me -- not with this big bike. Hat's off to you if you can do it.

 

[ZoneIII]

Anyway, has anyone actually changed the tires on a R3T with spoons? If so, did you have to remove rotors or, at least, one front rotor? Please, no guesses or info about changing tires on a different model bike. I got a bunch of replies like that in two forums but that doesn't answer my question.

 

[Fingers]

@ZoneIII as I have said I don't remove the rotors.

 

[Joesmoe]

And @Steel replied on the other thread specifically about this question that he was able to change the tire with spoons and rotors on, while donating blood.

 

[Steel]

Anyway, has anyone actually changed the tires on a R3T with spoons? If so, did you have to remove rotors or, at least, one front rotor? Please, no guesses or info about changing tires on a different model bike. I got a bunch of replies like that in two forums but that doesn't answer my question.

I've done it on a R3R. Slightly different than a R3T, but oh so close. It is possible with Spoons and the rotors on. Just watch those pinch points.

 

[ZoneIII]

@ZoneIII as I have said I don't remove the rotors.

Fingers: Sorry if I misunderstood you but I've got so many answers on this and another forum with people telling me that they "wouldn't" remove the rotors or they don't think I'd have to remove the rotors but they didn't say they had a R3T or, if they did, they didn't say whether they had actually done the job with spoons on an R3T or they had done it with a completely different bike (which is no help at all). I think you mentioned checking out Zip Ties (which I do know about) and it wasn't exactly clear if you had changed tires with spoons on a R3T by the way you worded your response. I may be wrong but until your last post, I haven't read a post that was clear about that. Sorry for any confusion. And thanks for making it now clear that you have actually done the job with spoons on a R3T. That's what I needed to know.

 

[ZoneIII]

If Steel did respond in that way, I didn't see it or it was worded in a way that didn't make it clear that he did the job with spoons on an R3T. Until today, I've never seen a post that wasn't ambiguous. If you re-read them and you should see what I mean. (Unless I missed one.)

Anyway, I got the info I need now. Thanks guys! Sorry for being a PITA but I got so many "opinions," guesses, and answers by people who don't even own a Rocket, or own one but never changed their own tires, etc., on this and another forum.

 

[Steel]

If Steel did respond in that way, I didn't see it or it was worded in a way that didn't make it clear that he did the job with spoons on an R3T. Until today, I've never seen a post that wasn't ambiguous. If you re-read them and you should see what I mean. (Unless I missed one.)

Anyway, I got the info I need now. Thanks guys! Sorry for being a PITA but I got so many "opinions," guesses, and answers by people who don't even own a Rocket, or own one but never changed their own tires, etc., on this and another forum.

What @Joesmoe said was that I had responded to someone else on another thread just the day before. That's why you missed it on this thread.
Glad you got the answer you needed.