Front Wheel Removal / Rear Wheel Balance Tools: Need Advice

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Just got around to installing my first new tires this week and while the bike is designed for fast changing..(the rear wheel comes off in under 60 seconds!!).. I ran into some problems that I’d like some feedback on...

1. Removal of the front tire is very easy with a good lift, but on both the left and right hand side of the axle area, there is a 40mm nut. You hold one side and unscrew the other then the actual axle slides out for changing and balancing...

First question.. I had NO wrench large enough for a 40mm.. nor did Snap-on Tools, Sears or any other similar place. McMaster Carr has a 41mm but didn’t try it for fear that it might not work so I ended up buying TWO of the largest CRESCENT wrenches that Sears has at $40ea!! $80 just to remove the front axle!.... The manual calls for TWO deep sockets (one for each side) but does not designate sizes..I think it’s 40mm What are you do-it-yourselfer’s using to get your front axle off? If I can find a better fix, I’m gonna return these 2 crescent’s.

2. After much anal research and advice from many of my customers, I bought myself a wheel balancer kit from http://home.socal.rr.com/bbtr/Products/BMW_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.htm

I spoke directly with Mr. Parnes who had never even seen an MVF4 up close so we didn’t know exactly what type cones would be needed to secure the REAR wheel to the balance rod. The front was the same as a Ducati and used Ducati size cones, but the rear wheel on the F4 has the widest opening of ANY bike on the market.. Left drive side ID 54mm or 2 1/8th" Right side ID 57mm or 2 5/16th"

Not one person locally (including 3 bike shops) had anything large enough to fit the MV wheel.. Second question... What are you do-it-yourselfer’s using to balance the REAR wheel?

BTW.. Mr. Parnes has custom machined some large cones just for our bikes and is air-freighting them to me for Friday delivery. If they work he should be offering them from his site...If they don’t work, he said he’d tweak them until we get a good set...Very nice guy.

Any help/advice/nude pictures would be appreciated.

-- Pirate (Pirate@acelink.net), July 21, 2004

Answers

On the Subject of the Spanners/Wrenches I use a large adjustable wrench or ring spanner to hold one side of the axle and use a converted socket to torque up the other. The socket is a standard 1/2" drive 40 or 41mm size (can't be sure of the correct size) which has been parted off in the centre on a lathe and a piece of 2" tube tack welded around the circumference in between to deepen the socket. It's a little crude but works well.

-- Liam Buck (williambuck_7@hotmail.com), July 22, 2004.

I let my tyre fitter worry about the wheel balancing - they have never hinted at a problem.

Removing the front axle - I drop the whole lot then flip it round so that I can put the axle stub back in one side only with the wheel on the wrong side of the fork. Then I can use the axle clamp to hold it while I turn with a large adjustable. Works for me.

-- Mark M (m.magenis@btinternet.com), July 22, 2004.


My front axle is only hand tight, its not going anywhere is it? so there's no point in cranking it up tight. I just hung it up on the axle to balance it. Not perfect, but Michelins hardly ever need much in the way of balancing anyway.

You should be able to do the rear on any car balancing machine as the centres are similar sizes.

-- Craig (craig_whiteway@hotmail.com), July 22, 2004.


Thought I’d make a follow up post about my recent endeavor into balancing my wheels while installing new Diablos...

In last week’s episode, I ran into a plethora of problems....one being not finding a balancing kit that would fit the massive openings on the rear F4 wheel.. Working directly with an ever-so-cool Marc Parnes at http://home.socal.rr.com/bbtr/Products/BMW_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.h tm he came up with a complete MV F4 Kit that works perfectly. It consists of 4 cones unlike most kits that have 2. The two front balancing cones are out of his standard universal kit so they’ll do double duty and balance just about any other bike on the market except for Triumph and BMWs.

The rear cones are two different sizes.. both VERY large for the off- set wide openings. Bottom line..he now has them available on his website and (with the risk of breaching chat site etiquette by crossing the razor fine line between informing and appearing blatantly capitalistic...) ... he is allowing us to carry them, as well.

And in case you like options, I was also informed that MCC in Villa park, IL can make an F4 adapter for balancing the rear wheel upon request. You can call MCC @ 630-782-2010 Ask to speak to Dave Moon.

Second problem was finding TWO 41mm or 1 5/8" wrenches for removing the front axle.. I broke down and purchased 2 massive crescent wrenches from Sears at $40ea (ouch!) when I couldn’t find 2 open ends.. (and have since returned them for refund) The solution to this is .. Ebay. Have found LOTS of 1 5/8 wrenches for sale starting at only .99 I have noticed final bids on them in the last few days range from $4 to $14... not bad. With a little patience.. that’s the place if you want to save some cash.

Anyway.. wheels balanced perfectly..tires are on.. all is well in MY world.

BTW.. While I have not completed my scuffing in process, I can tell that the Diablo’s rock. Thanks to all for the tire pressure advice.. running 34 front/36 rear as suggested. Much better feel than the previous Dunlop RR’s.. better turn in... very confidence inspiring .. Feel is VERY similar to the Sportec M-1's but with more stick...as Allah intended. Mongo happy.

-- Pirate (Pirate@acelink.net), July 27, 2004.


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