Topic: Just another stupid question...

[jp76cb400f]

Im having a difficult time removing the rear wheel of my cb400f.  ive loosened all the necessary bolts (axel bolt and chain adjustment bolts) and am able to move the wheel all the way forward. however, im still unable to slip the chain off the sprocket and thus, remove the wheel.  Am i missing something here? Thanks for the help guys 

PS. Just picked up my second SOHC4 last night! a 1971 cb500 for $300; has a recent top-end and is in pretty decent shape...with only a few minor adjustments it was ready to ride... only 20000 miles....bought it for parts and play while im fixing-up my 400, but now im thinking i might keep it...

[seebee750]

Here is another stupid answer. Take the master link out of the chain.

[Terry in Australia]

Here is another stupid answer. Take the master link out of the chain.

Well that was a bit cruel mate, shame on you, ya big meanie! It could well be that JP has an endless chain, so it might be easier to just pop the bike up on the centrestand (it already is? Orrigght..) and push the axle out, (put your foot, or a block of wood under the wheel to support it while you're pulling the axle out) the wheel will then drop down onto the ground, and you can just roll it forward and remove the chain. Cheers, Terry.

[Bob Wessner]

Even if endless, might it not be easier to slip it off the front sprocket, or remove the front sprocket?

[Terry in Australia]

Even if endless, might it not be easier to slip it off the front sprocket, or remove the front sprocket?

Hey Bob, what are you doing up so late/early? Anyway, I guess it depends on why JP wants to remove the chain? I assumed (yeah, I know you're not supposed to "assume") that he wanted to take the wheel off?

[Bob Wessner]

I thought he just wanted to remove the rear wheel and backing off the adjusters hadn't gotten him enough slack yet. Figured what slack he had created, might be enough to slip the chain off the front sprocket because of the lesser circumference. Short of that, slip the front sprocket off, then the chain and he should have enough slack at the back. Have to admit I never had to do this, I don't use an endless chain. Just one of those possibly useless thoughts I frequently have. 

[dusterdude]

uh bob,this is not a carb question dude.

[Bob Wessner]

uh bob,this is not a carb question dude.

Every once in a while I get brave and try to venture into yet another area I know little about. 

[Zane]

I had exactly the same problem the first time I removed my rear wheel myself.  (And for a bit the second time too, until my suspect memory woke up.)

It took me a while to figure out how to do it, but I finally figured out that slipping out the axle worked (well).

[supersport_CB400F]

Taking the spindle out works all the time for me, when removing the rear wheel 

[jp76cb400f]

Thanks everyone.....perhaps next time I’ll try using my brain a bit before posting a question. The easiest way is indeed to simply slip the axel off, which I ended up doing anyhow because i was installing new brake shoes........Which brings me to my next question.......Are there any procedures necessary to prep the drum brake when installing new shoes?

[Zane]

Don't feel dumb - cripes, I'm a pretty bright guy (in some ways).  The first time I took that tire off, I slammed the whole back end around (just following the instructions in my manual).  I finally got the danged thing off, but only after removing those little lead-ish shims at the ends of the wheel adjusters.  I scratched the back wheel for good measure, forcing the chain over it.  Then I figured out the axle trick.

My excuse is that the manual certainly, strongly implied that this simply sliding the wheel forward method would work.

It was probably the same manual that said to rough up the shoes a bit with sandpaper - just enough to take the shine off.  I did that, and the brakes worked terrifically immediately I reinstalled the wheel and connected everything.

Good on you for changing them - the best part for me was getting to start over on the rear brake adjustment nut.

[78 k550]

Also if your chain doesn't have a master link it might have never been changed. I would also check it while off. Just pull it arounf the countershaft sprocket and when pulling it through your hands, see if it has any stiff sections or kinks. If so replace then you get a master . 

Paul

[jp76cb400f]

So scuffing the shoe is the only preparation needed? There’s a ton of brake dust in there.... is it necessary to clean that out or prep the drum surface in anyway?

The chain is not original and DOES have a master link.... regardless I’m pretty sure its time to replace it. Thanks for the tips.

[toycollector10]

Nice one Bob...

[SteveD CB500F]

Clean all the old brake dust from inside the hub and grease the cam (the bit between the actuating lever and the shoes.  If the cam is all crudded up with dust and old grease, take it all apart and clean it up.

I've never bothered with the sandpaper bit...

[Terry in Australia]

Be vewy vewy careful about how you remove the old brake dust, DONT use compressed air, unless you are wearing breathing equipment, you don't want to be inhaling a lung full of asbestos dust mate, that stuff will kill you quicker than a 40 cigarette per day habit, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.