This video is 9 years old, but still very helpful and totally relevant. I watched it when I removed the front wheel from my F6B a few years ago, just finished watching it again to pull and re-install the wheel on my '16 Wing. Thanks for posting this.
I've referred to this video three times over the last few years -- once for my first tire(s) change; later for installation of my Centramatic wheel balancers; and this weekend for my second (tires) change. It has been quite helpfuleach time to jog my feeble memory and refresh information on steps sequence and torque values. Thanks so much for taking the time to make the video and share your knowledge!
I'm not a mechanic by no means. I have a mechanic do all my work. i just feel safer that way. any how, I still enjoy watching the work done on you tube by folks that do their own work. then this way I can appreciate what my mechanic has gone thru to do the job. watching your video, i can honestly say that it was done so well that I was going to attempt it myself.. nope, I rather pay then wonder if I forgot something. great job
I appreciate these videos. On thing I do grin at is seeing the instructor tell me simple things. This fellow tells me how the front fender is connected to the frork. If I need to know how to remove the fender I have absolutely no business removing the wheel !!
According to the service manual, the left pinch bolts around the axle are the LAST thing torqued. I believe this sequence is important to not get forks in a bind by positioning them on the axle in the wrong place. The sequence is: 1) Axle in place. 2) Axle bolt to 43 lbf-ft. 3) Right pinch bolts to 16 lbf-ft. 4) Right brake caliper 23 lbf-ft. 5) Left brake caliper 23 lbf-ft and 19 lbf-ft for Joint bolt. 6) Pump forks up and down to seat axle. 7) And finally, left axle pinch bolts to 16 lbf-ft. 8) check brake caliper clearance from discs >= 0.7mm (0.028 in).
Great clear instruction job; Will try to change front and backwheel myself on my GW 2002 next week due to this good instruction... gives belief in doing it yourself and save a lot of money also Thx Lars-Erik A Sweden
Good comment! Yes, gun bore brushes (and the special brushes made for industry to clean newly tapped holes) are great for cleaning them up. I used them recently on my GL1000 restoration project, although many needed re-tapped on it.
Good video but you missed an important part as mentioned by another viewer, that is at the end: Lower the front wheel Loosen the left axle pinch bolt. With the front brake applied, pump the forks up and down several times to seat the axle and check brake operation. Tighten the left axle pinch bolts to the same torque Install fender covers and front fender
Somehow I missed reading the comments. Excellent video. I did my front tire this weekend and your video was a good reference. I wish you could have shown a bit more the sides of the wheels when taking the calipers off. I'm next doing my rear tire. I think you mentioned you also have a video on that topic. I will look for it. Thank you.
Just to clarify - the front of the bike is lifted just enough to clear the front tire from the floor with a floor jack and a piece of wood to distribute the load over the thin aluminum belly pan. The weight of the bike is on the center stand. I could have picked it up by hand and placed a block under it. I have read of many bikes falling from purpose-built bike jacks. It is already on the ground this way. I certainly hope I never spend money on a "certified bike mechanic" with your attitude!
Thanks for the video. I might mention that I use gun bore brushes to clean the threads inside bolt holes. You can buy an assorted pack of bronze multiple calibers and gauges that will take care of most bolt holes. Spend a few more bucks and you can get them in stainless steel.
Oh - sorry for the 2nd comment but a gun cleaning wire brush (brass) placed in a drill does a nice job of cleaning out the locking compound out of the threads.
Forgive me - Did I miss the part where you are supposed to bounce the front end before tightening the right set of pinch bolts to make sure the axle is in a relaxed position? You do not have to remove the caliper. Honda does state the caliper bolts should be replaced but I have yet to understand why.
"Honda does state the caliper bolts should be replaced but I have yet to understand why." Stretch bolts have to be tightened more each time they're used. Eventually the bolt shears off, or the threads pull and the knuckle has to be replaced.. Same with caliper bolts on many cars.
I am trying to get my front brake caliper off on my yamaha majesty and it doesnt want to budge after I have taken off the 2 retaining bolts. Am I missing something here? everyone has taken their caliper off with easy by hand?
Dear flhtc2004G: This video popped up for whatever reason. My only comment is that I do agree with your self rated opinion of yourself. I could not have done better myself. Jump up and down, Grin, Lol! Chuckle!!
I’ve never seen anybody do a filthy mechanical job like wheel work is wearing light colored pants with the crease in them suitable for playing golf. When I do a job especially working with wheels and brakes that have that black talcum powder like dust, I wear old farmer jeans, and I use my kindergarten size school chair instead of kneeling. My only question is, how did those pants stay clean? While you have the front fender off, now is the time to change the brake fluid. This should be done at least every two or three years. Cars , bikes,trucks,ect...Brake fluid is alcohol-based. It absorbs moisture out of the air through the breather on the master cylinder reservoir. The water that gets in the brake fluid corrodes the internal plumbing hardware and all of that corrosion ends up gravitating to the lowest point of the system,in the bores of your calipers, causes them to seize the pistons in the bores of the caliper, and/or/ ruin the seals/O-rings/and cause them to leak. Harbor freight sells a vacuum bleeder suction tool for under $25 that you can use to bleed your brakes and change your brake fluid on your clutch slave cylinder which should also be done every two or three years.. If you do this yourself, it’s easy, but treat brake fluid as though it were acid. It eats paint. Have paper towels ready and throw them away as soon as they get any brake fluid on them. Make sure you match the brake fluid you buy with what is recommended on the lid of the master cylinders. ,dot 3 or 4 does not mix with dot.5 which is silicone-based.. I have changed the brake fluid every year in all my bikes...my 1994 Honda pacific coast. I have never had to change any of the components in the master cylinders or in the calipers or in the clutch slave cylinder Because I change the fluid every year.. My pacific coast has had an unglamorous commuter life. Like a rented mule. but never neglected or abused.Ridden to work rain/shine 24 years so far..And not one mechanical issue other than brake pads,tires, batteries, and one deer impact head on 30mph...I didn’t go down, crushed the faring/headlight area.Cost me about $1000 in used parts on eBay and having a body shop repaint part of the used faring panel and front fender ..My only regret is, that bastard lived... just two years before that, I am packed at a deer dead center on my BMW K 1200 LT. $5500 damage. I didn’t go down that time either, but I do not ride at night anymore because of deer.. I have had four deer collisions, my wife has had three, and two of my sons have each had one. Having had these collisions, I can say, the deer is not standing there giving you a choice on which way to turn. It’s over before you know it in the blink of an eye. Two of my deer collisions, the deer ran right into the side of my car, which happened to my wife on two of her three collisions There’s lots of critters out there, so I always wear your gear
Why fon't you do your own video, Harry? The pants are clean because they are what I wear as an instructor. And, you'll notice that I do not get them dirty doing this.
This video is 9 years old, but still very helpful and totally relevant. I watched it when I removed the front wheel from my F6B a few years ago, just finished watching it again to pull and re-install the wheel on my '16 Wing. Thanks for posting this.
The only video that has been helpful after watching several several several videos
I've referred to this video three times over the last few years -- once for my first tire(s) change; later for installation of my Centramatic wheel balancers; and this weekend for my second (tires) change. It has been quite helpfuleach time to jog my feeble memory and refresh information on steps sequence and torque values. Thanks so much for taking the time to make the video and share your knowledge!
I'm not a mechanic by no means. I have a mechanic do all my work. i just feel safer that way. any how, I still enjoy watching the work done on you tube by folks that do their own work. then this way I can appreciate what my mechanic has gone thru to do the job. watching your video, i can honestly say that it was done so well that I was going to attempt it myself.. nope, I rather pay then wonder if I forgot something. great job
Hey buddy want to thank you for show me this. You were very clear on how to do this.
Oldie but a goodie
I appreciate these videos. On thing I do grin at is seeing the instructor tell me simple things. This fellow tells me how the front fender is connected to the frork. If I need to know how to remove the fender I have absolutely no business removing the wheel !!
Used this video and saved few hundred dollars and gained self pride lol!
According to the service manual, the left pinch bolts around the axle are the LAST thing torqued. I believe this sequence is important to not get forks in a bind by positioning them on the axle in the wrong place. The sequence is: 1) Axle in place. 2) Axle bolt to 43 lbf-ft. 3) Right pinch bolts to 16 lbf-ft. 4) Right brake caliper 23 lbf-ft. 5) Left brake caliper 23 lbf-ft and 19 lbf-ft for Joint bolt. 6) Pump forks up and down to seat axle. 7) And finally, left axle pinch bolts to 16 lbf-ft. 8) check brake caliper clearance from discs >= 0.7mm (0.028 in).
Did you read the text that I included?
Thanks for the video (and torque specs)... I watched this while removing my front tire to install Centramatic balancers.
Great clear instruction job; Will try to change front and backwheel myself on my GW 2002 next week due to this good instruction... gives belief in doing it yourself and save a lot of money also
Thx Lars-Erik A Sweden
Good comment! Yes, gun bore brushes (and the special brushes made for industry to clean newly tapped holes) are great for cleaning them up. I used them recently on my GL1000 restoration project, although many needed re-tapped on it.
For cleaning the female threads go to your local sporting good store and a gun barrel brush the size you need they work great.
That's actually what I use.
Just a note there are 4 bearings along with the spindle shaft I found a great tool on eBay and made the work a peice of cake.!!
Good video but you missed an important part as mentioned by another viewer, that is at the end:
Lower the front wheel
Loosen the left axle pinch bolt.
With the front brake applied, pump the forks up and down several times to seat the axle and check brake operation.
Tighten the left axle pinch bolts to the same torque
Install fender covers and front fender
Please read my comments accompanying the video.
Somehow I missed reading the comments. Excellent video. I did my front tire this weekend and your video was a good reference. I wish you could have shown a bit more the sides of the wheels when taking the calipers off. I'm next doing my rear tire. I think you mentioned you also have a video on that topic. I will look for it. Thank you.
Invaluable. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Just did mine!
Just to clarify - the front of the bike is lifted just enough to clear the front tire from the floor with a floor jack and a piece of wood to distribute the load over the thin aluminum belly pan. The weight of the bike is on the center stand. I could have picked it up by hand and placed a block under it. I have read of many bikes falling from purpose-built bike jacks. It is already on the ground this way. I certainly hope I never spend money on a "certified bike mechanic" with your attitude!
Thanks for the video. I might mention that I use gun bore brushes to clean the threads inside bolt holes. You can buy an assorted pack of bronze multiple calibers and gauges that will take care of most bolt holes. Spend a few more bucks and you can get them in stainless steel.
Nice job... I like the details and audio. Too many people out there reluctant to speak HA!
Very nice video. Easy to understand you and nice clean working area.
excellent tutorial. Thank you!
Good tip on the gun brush, DJ! I think the new Honda bolts have a white lock compound on them.
Excellent Comment, Direction and Video, I think I could do this with your helpful direction....Good Job!!
Oh - sorry for the 2nd comment but a gun cleaning wire brush (brass) placed in a drill does a nice job of cleaning out the locking compound out of the threads.
Thanks for information
I've added a link to the rear tire video to my original comments. It was uploaded by my friend Bartman.
Good info. Thx.
Those spacers will only fit correct side. They are different sizes. You only need to remove right side caliper.
Forgive me - Did I miss the part where you are supposed to bounce the front end before tightening the right set of pinch bolts to make sure the axle is in a relaxed position?
You do not have to remove the caliper. Honda does state the caliper bolts should be replaced but I have yet to understand why.
Amazing work ....well done dear
Tire is mounted correctly with arrow in direction of rotation. Thanks for close observation though.
"Honda does state the caliper bolts should be replaced but I have yet to understand why."
Stretch bolts have to be tightened more each time they're used.
Eventually the bolt shears off, or the threads pull and the knuckle has to be replaced.. Same with caliper bolts on many cars.
I am trying to get my front brake caliper off on my yamaha majesty and it doesnt want to budge after I have taken off the 2 retaining bolts. Am I missing something here? everyone has taken their caliper off with easy by hand?
Dang, you wear khaki Docker's while doing tire changes!
Nice video!
I think the narration points out that I didn't have the camera on for the bouncing. On mine, it has never moved when I bounce it, but I do it, anyway.
Will the wheel just fall out if you pull the axel, without taking the calipers off?
It will, but you can't get it out from between the calipers without pulling them.
According to Honda the Wheel bearings should be replaced everytime a Tire is changed , Your Opinion?
About 85k miles on the fronts now (total of 105k on the bike). I changed to All Balls front bearings when I had the wheels powder coated at around 20k
👍
do you take the 1200 wheel off the same way?
Don't we wish? Sorry, No.
why dont the pinch bolts get locktite??
Not required. Not listed in manual, either. Honda's bolts for this come without pre-installed locking compound.
Dear flhtc2004G: This video popped up for whatever reason. My only comment is that I do agree with your self rated opinion of yourself. I could not have done better myself.
Jump up and down, Grin, Lol! Chuckle!!
I’ve never seen anybody do a filthy mechanical job like wheel work is wearing light colored pants with the crease in them suitable for playing golf. When I do a job especially working with wheels and brakes that have that black talcum powder like dust, I wear old farmer jeans, and I use my kindergarten size school chair instead of kneeling.
My only question is, how did those pants stay clean?
While you have the front fender off, now is the time to change the brake fluid. This should be done at least every two or three years. Cars , bikes,trucks,ect...Brake fluid is alcohol-based. It absorbs moisture out of the air through the breather on the master cylinder reservoir. The water that gets in the brake fluid corrodes the internal plumbing hardware and all of that corrosion ends up gravitating to the lowest point of the system,in the bores of your calipers, causes them to seize the pistons in the bores of the caliper, and/or/ ruin the seals/O-rings/and cause them to leak. Harbor freight sells a vacuum bleeder suction tool for under $25 that you can use to bleed your brakes and change your brake fluid on your clutch slave cylinder which should also be done every two or three years..
If you do this yourself, it’s easy, but treat brake fluid as though it were acid. It eats paint. Have paper towels ready and throw them away as soon as they get any brake fluid on them. Make sure you match the brake fluid you buy with what is recommended on the lid of the master cylinders. ,dot 3 or 4 does not mix with dot.5 which is silicone-based..
I have changed the brake fluid every year in all my bikes...my 1994 Honda pacific coast. I have never had to change any of the components in the master cylinders or in the calipers or in the clutch slave cylinder Because I change the fluid every year.. My pacific coast has had an unglamorous commuter life. Like a rented mule. but never neglected or abused.Ridden to work rain/shine 24 years so far..And not one mechanical issue other than brake pads,tires, batteries, and one deer impact head on 30mph...I didn’t go down, crushed the faring/headlight area.Cost me about $1000 in used parts on eBay and having a body shop repaint part of the used faring panel and front fender ..My only regret is, that bastard lived... just two years before that, I am packed at a deer dead center on my BMW K 1200 LT. $5500 damage. I didn’t go down that time either, but I do not ride at night anymore because of deer.. I have had four deer collisions, my wife has had three, and two of my sons have each had one.
Having had these collisions, I can say, the deer is not standing there giving you a choice on which way to turn. It’s over before you know it in the blink of an eye. Two of my deer collisions, the deer ran right into the side of my car, which happened to my wife on two of her three collisions
There’s lots of critters out there, so I always wear your gear
Why fon't you do your own video, Harry? The pants are clean because they are what I wear as an instructor. And, you'll notice that I do not get them dirty doing this.
but I have a 1989 Honda Goldwing