Removing The Front Wheel

First, lift and safely secure your bike so that you can work on it.

Now, remove any accessories that may cover the axle bolt and axle clamp bolt which are located on the side opposite your kickstand. In my case, I needed to remove my axle bolt covers, rotor covers and caliper cover. Stock bikes would not have any of these steps.

Remove the two bolts which attach the front brake calipers to the forks. Carefully slide the calipers off of brake rotor. You may wish to cover calipers with a shop rag and support away from bike with a stiff wire to prevent scratching the fender as you work.

Next, loosen the axle clamp bolt as shown below.

Next loosen and fully remove the axle as shown below. Be careful when pulling the axle through the forks and wheel so you do not mar the axle threads.

Now the front wheel should be disconnected from your bike. You may now remove it carefully. It may be necessary to raise your bike further. Do so with care.

As an added safety precaution, while I have the front wheel off of the bike, I replace the axle then place a jack stand centered under the axle in the event my lift should lose pressure. ( ya never know when your cat or kid will bump that release lever! ) I do not allow the axle to rest on the jack stand! I lower the lift until the axle is sitting about 1/4" above the jack stand head.

Now is a good time to have a close look at your brake linings and inspect your calipers.

To re-install the front wheel, reverse the procedures above using the torque specifications shown on the pictures.

Good luck!

Last update: 10:36 PM Tuesday, March 7, 2006

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