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Post by achrista on Sept 8, 2018 7:17:19 GMT -7
I'm about to take my wheels off for the first time so I can get new tires installed. usually this is an extremely straightforward process, but i've never had an ABS bike before. The manual takes the safest route and recommends draining the system and removing the calipers prior to wheel removal. A youtube video I found doesn't bother with removing the calipers, but says to be careful w/ the ABS sensor. That said, the guy is lifting the bike on a jack so I might be a bit more risk averse than he is.
Is it still safe to change the tire w/o removing the calipers/ABS sensor? how sensitive are they?
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Post by RedAndBlack on Sept 8, 2018 7:44:19 GMT -7
I don't remember having to mess with the wheel sensor at all. However I always remove the calipers. The brake pads can move freely in the calipers when you take the rotors out of them. Putting the wheel back in while trying to line up the brake pads while lifting the tire to get the axle back in can be a bit of a pain. And we're only talking about 4 bolts so it's not that much work.
If the wheels are going to be off for any length of time. I'll also throw in some type of wedge between the pads. Usually an 8 or 10 mm wrench will fit. The pressure of the system seems to close the pads a little bit if the tires are off for more than an immediate change .I presume like me, you're taking the wheels to somebody who has a tire machine?
Rear tire changes are usually where the problems are. I would invest in some type of wedge to help you hold the tire up off the ground while you line everything up. I used a block of wood for my track bike for a while before the girlfriend got me the Pitbull tire wedge for a Christmas gift. With the block of wood i woukd pull the tire back onto it while lining eaverything up. But it's usually the rear tire and lining up the spacers and the rear brake to put the axle back in that is the most challenging. I've only done my FZ tires once but have done my track bike dozens of times. So I can't remember and type of FZ specific tips. But having something help to lift the tire has been extremely helpful.
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Moto10
Junior Member
Posts: 62 
Likes: 13
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Post by Moto10 on Sept 8, 2018 8:51:09 GMT -7
I'm about to take my wheels off for the first time so I can get new tires installed. usually this is an extremely straightforward process, but i've never had an ABS bike before. The manual takes the safest route and recommends draining the system and removing the calipers prior to wheel removal. A youtube video I found doesn't bother with removing the calipers, but says to be careful w/ the ABS sensor. That said, the guy is lifting the bike on a jack so I might be a bit more risk averse than he is. Is it still safe to change the tire w/o removing the calipers/ABS sensor? how sensitive are they? I actually am getting tires put on today. Took both wheels off Thursday evening. Took about 10 minutes. I highly recommend removing the calipers on the front. In fact I believe it is necessary because they prevent the wheel from being removed. I wrapped soft rags around them both and maneuvered them out carefully to prevent scratching the wheels. The rear I did not remove the caliper. It stays put on its mounting bracket. As for the speed sensors, I remove them by removing the one securing bolt and hang them out of the way. Prevent the possibly of banging them. I have the Abba stand front and rear package to elevate both wheels off the ground safely. If I could figure out how to post a picture from my phone ha ha, I’d show how it is setup currently. Just take your time and it should be no problem. |
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Post by achrista on Sept 8, 2018 19:08:17 GMT -7
ty both.
I am taking the wheels to a shop -- ideally i'll do it same day, but wedging the pads is a good idea if i take them off ahead of time. I didn't realize pitbull even sold an adjustable wedge but I just ordered one. In the past I've used 2x4's to get the wheel "close enough" but getting everything totally aligned has been a pain on every bike I've had. Further, this is the first bike where I've 1) cared about maintaining the wheel finish and 2) had to worry about anything like an ABS sensor so it's a worthwhile investment if it's as durable as my pitbull stands. My only complaint w/ the pitbulls thus far is that the front stand has very little clearance with the front fender and it even made contact with the the first time I used it.
yamirider that is good to know. I'll take the front calipers off. I didn't realize the ABS sensor was removable with one bolt, so I'll get those off as well.
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Moto10
Junior Member
Posts: 62
Likes: 13
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Post by Moto10 on Sept 9, 2018 6:31:53 GMT -7
ty both. I am taking the wheels to a shop -- ideally i'll do it same day, but wedging the pads is a good idea if i take them off ahead of time. I didn't realize pitbull even sold an adjustable wedge but I just ordered one. In the past I've used 2x4's to get the wheel "close enough" but getting everything totally aligned has been a pain on every bike I've had. Further, this is the first bike where I've 1) cared about maintaining the wheel finish and 2) had to worry about anything like an ABS sensor so it's a worthwhile investment if it's as durable as my pitbull stands. My only complaint w/ the pitbulls thus far is that the front stand has very little clearance with the front fender and it even made contact with the the first time I used it. yamirider that is good to know. I'll take the front calipers off. I didn't realize the ABS sensor was removable with one bolt, so I'll get those off as well. Anytime glad to help. Reinstalled the wheels last night after getting the tires put on. Another helpfuel hint, go ahead and remove the rear caliper as well. It will make your life a lot easier when going back together. I fought it for a little bit last night then decided to just remove it. Makes lining everything up much easier! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Registered: Apr 25, 2024 7:47:58 GMT -7
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2018 19:13:30 GMT -7
That first video is an example of all the things you can do wrong. Ha ha. I'd NEVER put all the weight of the bike on the headers, especially without a center stand, and for that long. But to each his own. And after scratching the wheels, he removes the calipers. And makes the same mistake with the front wheel. Ha ha. I'm doing some research if I can remove the front wheel with a regular front stand. Rather than having to buy one for the head. My bike is new, and don't anticipate ever having to remove the forks. Will look at the Abba stand package, somebody mentioned.
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Post by achrista on Sept 30, 2018 20:03:57 GMT -7
You have to remove the front calipers to get the front wheel off. It is easy to do that without scratching the finish. I also took the rear caliper off per this forums recommendation and it was fine.
I do agree that jacking the bike up by the headers is a terrible idea. a good set of stands is a relatively inexpensive investment given they last a lifetime and can be resold if you get out of motorcycles.
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ek5425
New Member
Posts: 15
Likes: 6
Registered: Mar 20, 2017 1:57:53 GMT -7
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Post by ek5425 on Oct 1, 2018 6:05:28 GMT -7
I have the Abba stand with the front lift arm and its totally awesome, especially for how low the price is.
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