How good are your brakes?

[azcycle]

Thanks, Bob. Will do that tonight.

[darrylri]

You can easily get your rear tire off without a lift or a centerstand.

Remove the axle nut and washer from the rear wheel.  Put a moving blanket on the ground (doubled over) and then carefully lean your bike over onto the right valve cover.  Loosen the pinch bolt and remove the axle.  Be careful not to scrape anything while working.  

Although ungainly, you can make this work.  And it will convince you to fix the centerstand!  

[montmil]

Removing the rear brake cam shaft lever is simple. The challenge usually appears as you attempt to reinstall the brake arm onto the cam shaft; the brake cam shaft slips into the final drive housing as there is really nothing to prevent it from doing so. I usually have to remove the back wheel!

Unfortunately, the brake rod is still detached from the brake arm so my initial idea of pressing down on the foot pedal to hold the cam shaft was kinda like... D'oh [smiley=undecided.gif]

Swipe your wife's best down comforter and use it to protect your WeeMW as you lay it over -think roadside repair- and remove the back wheel. You ought to be able to access the brake cam shaft without to much strain. Good tip from Darryl the Elder as he just hates to tweak his back while working on the scoots!

Monte

[darrylri]

I got the tip from the owners manual for my 1928 R52.  Even up on the centerstand, you can't remove the rear wheel from that bike.  It does have a front centerstand that allows easy removal of the front tire.  It's convenient for removing the engine and transmission, too.  But not the rear tire.

BTW, expect the bike to smoke through the right cylinder for a bit after you start it up.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

isn't it the left side? left and right is when your sitting on the bike , correct? Hope i'm correct, that's the logic I used to put my valve covers back on, so please let me know.

[Mike V]

iman,
Yes that's correct left and right as you're sitting on the bike. The axle has to slide out the left side of the bike.  Remove the axle nut on the right side, loosen the rear brake wing nut a few turns counter clockwise, lean the bike onto a comfy blanket or protective surface on the right side cover (protect exhaust, etc.), loosen the pinch bolt and slide the axle out of the left side. You may want to remove the tank, especially if it's full of fuel - before laying the bike over. Try not leave the bike on it's side for an extended period of time. As Darryl mentioned expect some smoke from the right side after assembly and start-up but it should clear in a short time. A few spoon-fulls of oil may sneak by your rings and get into the combustion chamber.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

Hey mike, thanks for that. actually, I miss understood what darryl was saying, hence the confusion. thanks for setting me back on track.

[Mike V]

Keep us posted on all the progress.  Good stuff iman.

[steven m]

I've read all the posts and am a little baffled.  With a piece of plywood under the centerstand for more elevation, I have removed the rear wheel from my trusty 83 R65 several times without any problems at all.  Yeah, you do have to angle the wheel a bit at one point, but I have not run into any of the issues mentioned.  

Without a centerstand you could always use a couple of properly padded jack stands on the frame rails.  Of course you would need a couple of assistants to lift the bike up while you place the stands.  Or even a sturdy old crate with a pad on it so the pan isn't damaged.  Probably a good idea to have them stick around while you remove the wheel as well, which should take all of five minutes.  Just make certain it is steady before walking away from the bike so you don't get any surprises!

Just my two cents.  Maybe I've just been lucky.

Make sure you have clean threads on the axle bolt, use your torque wrench, and lube those spines with the good stuff when you put it back together.

Steve

[Semper Gumby]

My brakes are FABOO but I have cheated and installed a K100RS front end on my R65.  Handles better at speed as well.

(ooooOOOoooOOooooOoOoOooO)   8-)

[azcycle]

Thanks, all. I've got this on the list of things to do. After readjusting the valves, messing with the clutch, and draining/refilling the fork oil, I need to take a break for a bit.  

[Darwin_R65]

carry an anchor with you to chuck out the back when you want to stop quickly


I drive a 1962 valiant with front discs but no vacuum assist, so I probably don't have a comparative vehicle, but my R65 feels reasonable.

I consider the front to have ABS because there's no way I could lock up the front. If I stamp on the rear I can lock them up at slow speeds.

I would definitely like better fronts, I have replaced front brake lines with braided, and that did make a difference.

But I'm not into drafting behind cars like some temporary Australians. I tend to maintain a reasonable distance, I'm old enough to remember the ads they used to have 1 car length for every 10mph. 50mph = 5 car lengths.

John

[steven m]

Too much NASCAR on television.  American drivers act as if they are drafting at Daytona.  If you leave a safe distance between a car in front of you someone cuts in for better track position.  Dangerous...

Steve