Front wheel installation

[GreyHairedWombat]

I hate to admit but I've screwed up refitting my front wheel on my 2017 GS after getting some new tyres fitted to loose wheels (third time removing wheels for fresh tyres since owning the bike).

Never had this problem before however I don't think I followed the owners manual to the letter. I did not compress the forks before tightening the axel bolt to 30Nm. Struggled to get the right hand brake calliper on. Realised my mistake. Tried to loosen everything. Right hand calliper then fitted OK, torqued everything up only to find when rolling bike off centre stand front end completely locked up!

Suspect right hand calliper. The only thing I can think to do now is disassemble wheel and callipers and start all over again following the manual to the letter

Anyone had a similar problem and if so how did you overcome? . Thanking you in advance

 

[dave hendy]

I take it the wheel spacer is in and fitted on the correct side?


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[GreyHairedWombat]

Yes, thank you Dave. Incidentally just spoke to my local dealer, Linds Norwich, who think fork leg needs to re-align. When speaking with them I remember noting that the axel on the right side was not completely flush (was previously) which they indicated was a clue to the misalignment

 

[fredaroony]

I've had my front wheel off dozens of times over the last 6 years and never once compressed the forks when putting back on. I doubt that is your issue

 

[HGS]

I recently had the front wheel off and also didn't compress the front other than to let it down to the floor. I couldn't find a way to:

Remove front-wheel stand and
firmly compress front forks
several times. Do not operate
handbrake lever.

other than apply the rear brake and put it in gear but I didn't feel I had done it very firmly and hardly any downward movement to the front unlike when doing this on regular telescopic forks

Have put a couple of hundred miles on it since and all feels well

Is there a technique?

 

[Steptoe]

Insert front wheel, and refit calipers.
Don't tighten any nuts and bolts, leave finger tight.
Take bike off centre stand and bounce forks up and down a few times.
It's what's called freeing off any trapped stresses.

 

[GreyHairedWombat]

Thank you Steptoe. Lesson learnt. First time its happened me and trust last time

 

[Steptoe]

Thank you Steptoe. Lesson learnt. First time its happened me and trust last time

99% of times you don't need to do anything.

 

[Winjar]

99% of times you don't need to do anything.

True but I always give push on forks on all bike front wheel since many years, old habit.

 

[Big Si]

I've had my front wheel off dozens of times over the last 6 years and never once compressed the forks when putting back on. I doubt that is your issue

Nor me

 

[Karlos]

Insert front wheel, and refit calipers.
Don't tighten any nuts and bolts, leave finger tight.
Take bike off centre stand and bounce forks up and down a few times.
It's what's called freeing off any trapped stresses.

Absolutely this. It should be done on all motorcycles when replacing the front wheel.


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[GreyHairedWombat]

Advice from Steptoe worked. Took 5 minutes to resolve. Thank you

 

[Nin]

Take bike off centre stand and bounce forks up and down a few times.
It's what's called freeing off any trapped stresses.

Perhaps we should do that to the forum each morning. Might calm things down a bit.


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