Topic: Rear wheel removal

[muzzy]

Hi I'm looking to remove rear wheel on 1974 K4, I don't see any way of getting the axle out without removing lower exhaust on that side is this correct or can it be done with exhaust in place?
Thanks in advance for any assistance

[seanbarney41]

use the dropouts...axle can come out after the wheel slides out the back

[muzzy]

Thanks very much I didn't realize the cut outs extended all the way allowing removal of the wheel without removing the axle, So I only need to remove the brake operating hardware and chain adjusters to allow the wheel to be removed?

[newday777]

The axle stays on.
Remove the 12mm bolts behind the axle that go down through the blocks at the end of the swingarm, loosen the chain adjusters, remove the brake adjuster nut and brake stay nut to remove the stay and brake rod, loosen the axle nut so you can swing down the adjusters to get the backs out of the swingarm, move the axle forward to get the chain off the sprocket to drop the chain off to the swingarm, pull the wheel  backwards out of the swingarm slot.

Surprisingly, there isn't a good video of doing a rear wheel removal with the stock exhaust or clear instructions with good pictures.......
Once you learn the trick it is very easy and quick to remove the rear wheel with the original exhaust with the bike on the centerstand. I've fixed a rear flat while riding and back on the road in 45 minutes. We all had to learn years ago (and I had to relearn after 25 years away from doing it!)

[newday777]

Once you remove the 2 end blocks of the swingarm, the whole wheel with the brake and axle assembly slides right out of the swingarm

[newday777]

Thanks very much I didn't realize the cut outs extended all the way allowing removal of the wheel without removing the axle, So I only need to remove the brake operating hardware and chain adjusters to allow the wheel to be removed?

The chain adjusters just swing down when you loosen and axle nut, the adjusters stay on the axle/wheel assembly, you don't remove the adjusters.

[newday777]

Here is a photo of the adjusters swung down so you can push the axle forward to remove the chain off the sprocket to the left so you can pull the wheel assembly back out of the swingarm.
Second picture is the wheel assembly off the bike.

[MauiK3]

Is that a dime on top of the exhaust pipe?

[newday777]

Is that a dime on top of the exhaust pipe?

Yes it is. There was a hole to patch and I'd seen someone else do that so I decided that would do to patch it.

[Don R]

  If you encounter a bike with a closed slot swingarm you can unhook the shocks and let the swingarm down to clear the exhaust. Some of the Goldwings come with a little cable in the tool kit to hang the swingarm from the frame.
 

[BenelliSEI]

  If you encounter a bike with a closed slot swingarm you can unhook the shocks and let the swingarm down to clear the exhaust. Some of the Goldwings come with a little cable in the tool kit to hang the swingarm from the frame.
 

I always wondered what that was for!

[muzzy]

Thanks very much for great information You're correct regarding there not being a good video online, the one I looked at would have had me removing one exhaust and knocking the axle out.
Thanks again Regards Murray

[newday777]

Thanks very much for great information You're correct regarding there not being a good video online, the one I looked at would have had me removing one exhaust and knocking the axle out.
Thanks again Regards Murray

Did you get it off OK?

[muzzy]

Not yet but have seen everything you stated will work fine (So simple)
Thanks again saved me attacking the exhaust system and removing axle

[newday777]

You are welcome

[Don R]

  If you encounter a bike with a closed slot swingarm you can unhook the shocks and let the swingarm down to clear the exhaust. Some of the Goldwings come with a little cable in the tool kit to hang the swingarm from the frame.
 

I always wondered what that was for!

I had to ask my brother who was a Honda parts guy once. He noticed my bike didn't have it in the took kit and gave one to me. I said thanks, what is it?  HA!