Parts Advice Refitting the rear wheel...

[Brigg]

May sound a bit dumb but I am having real problems in refitting the rear wheel on my 02 Sportster.

I need some tips if possible...

Disassembly no problem, trying to refit it a different matter.

My main problem is my jack... I have one these scissor jacks. I havent used the 'y' frame tube rests not enough clearance to get them under the bike. So I have used the flat surface of the jack to lift the bike. There isnt a great deal of room at the rear of the bike the kick stand 'stop' prevents the jack from getting a complete stable lift and the exhaust bracket prevent a stable lift on the right hand side of the bike.

My problem is trying to get the wheel aligned whilst the bike is at an angle to to slide the spindle through complete with spacer and adjusters.

Im doing this single handed so its getting a bit frustrating not being able to align the wheel.

So advice if possible...??

[kevin bolden]

The bike leaning certainly wont help things. When Im doing the same job I try to lower the bike down to the wheel thats standing on the floor rather than try to lift a somewhat heavy wheel AND hold in any spacers. Make sure its greasred too! Good luck

[Brigg]

Originally Posted by kevin bolden

The bike leaning certainly wont help things. When Im doing the same job I try to lower the bike down to the wheel thats standing on the floor rather than try to lift a somewhat heavy wheel AND hold in any spacers. Make sure its greasred too! Good luck

Hint taken when you refitted my old wheel a couple of weeks ago... got me some copperslip...

[grbrown]

Lifts are for wimps! In the 'good old days' the way you are tackling the job was the only way - even Fred Warr did it like that, using a trolley jack or two.

Rather than lowering the bike I lift the wheel progressively to the correct height using several bits of wood under the tyre. That way you can get the wheel to almost the perfect height without much effort. If you try to lift the wheel off the ground and support its weight while fitting the spindle you could do yourself a mischief.

[Roger]

Get a piece of 3/4" (or 1" for later models but I've not tried with 1") pipe about 2' long and chamfer the inside of one end with a countersink. Wrap gaffer tape around the first 8" of the unchamfered end to help with grip, and grease the rest of the tube.

Raise/lower the bike on the lift until you can fit the tube, chamfer first, through the spacer, wheel, brake etc. Because of the length of this tube and the extra grip of the gaffer tape, you can easily work the tube through. Let it stick out about 1/8" - 1/4" from the swingarm.

Centre the end of the axle in the the chamfer and tap the end with a mallet. If you tap it briskly, it'll sail right through and knock the guide tube out

[banquo]

Never done it on a Sporty, but what I did on the Softail was take two quality bungees through the spokes and over the rear fender with the seat off. The tension in the bungees was just enough to support the mass of the wheel, so it was effectively weightless, and sitting at about the right height. Use more bungees if yours are too soggy to get the right position. I used some foam rubber to protect the fender from the bungees. That made it really easy to get the spacers and axle in. Having got it at pretty much the right height, I think I stuck a block of wood below to position it more accurately....?
The bungees are really useful when you're on your own, and free up an extra hand. There were some photos on here many years ago, but probably lost in the mists of time now...
Here's one I did earlier...
Whatever you do, make sure it's secure. Dropping a heavy bike on you is not recommended. You might damage the chrome..

[Brigg]

Thanks for the replies, after a bit of common sense and a bit Rogers advice, I had the wheel on in half an hour without too much of a struggle..

Took it for a quick blast around the block, had a heart stopping moment, the handling was appalling..

Tyres flat as pancakes..

All pumped and fine now, all it needs now is a bloody good wash and buff and its looking like a 2 year old not a 7.

Still waiting for Hog Maniac to offer up his services...