Changing rear tire on GL1500

[Alan_Hepburn]

So, I'm in the middle of disassembling my GL1500 Goldwing to change out the rear tire. I've gotten as far as removing the axle and I'm stuck. I removed the axle nut on the right side, loosened the pinch bolt on the left side, sprayed a liberal dose of PB Blaster on everything, and then whacked it with a hammer to try and slide it out to the left. But nothing happens - the entire wheel wants to move to the left, instead of just the axle. I can put a screwdriver through the hole on the left end of the axle and spin it around, but it doesn't want to slide out. Is there a trick to it? I'm letting the PB Blaster soak in overnight to see if that helps, other than that I'm stuck - any ideas?

 

[augustiron]

Paging Dr. Antibling to the emergency wingphone....

 

[auntiebling]

i don't have any first hand knowledge of the gl1500 but i'm pretty sure it's the same as the other steel frame bikes for the most part and yeah, should just slide out

here's a good writeup contained in a more in depth process

http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30309

as i recall from my gl1000 adventures, there is a lot of loosey gooseyness once everything is... loosened up. thus, there is a fair bit of binding if you don't support the wheel while sliding the axle out. that alone could easily be your problem

tons of other info on that website btw, if ever you get stuck again. if you haven't lubed the various splines back there now is a good time. with all the tupperware on the 1500 it's a bit of a pain but While You're In There....

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Thanks Autiebling - I'm actually using that website as a guide. He has a tutorial specifically for removing the rear wheel, and it's pretty much identical to that one. I'm stuck at the "slide the axle out" step. I've tried it with the tire off the ground, and with the tire resting on some boards. When I try to "persuade" it with a drift and a hammer the entire wheel wants to move to the left, and the caliper prevents that from hapening. The axle itself doesn't want to break loose, although I can put a screwdriver in the hole on the left side of the axle and spin it. I'll just keep trying I guess!

 

[auntiebling]

Sounds like there is a burr on something catching a thread

 

[Kawikiwi]

Thanks Autiebling - I'm actually using that website as a guide. He has a tutorial specifically for removing the rear wheel, and it's pretty much identical to that one. I'm stuck at the "slide the axle out" step. I've tried it with the tire off the ground, and with the tire resting on some boards. When I try to "persuade" it with a drift and a hammer the entire wheel wants to move to the left, and the caliper prevents that from hapening. The axle itself doesn't want to break loose, although I can put a screwdriver in the hole on the left side of the axle and spin it. I'll just keep trying I guess!

Does it have a threaded spacer on it? I know the front axle (on some models) has one that you have to remove. Should have two flat parts to wrap an open ended wrench on

 

[mototireguy]

Possibly years of corrosion on the axle.

If yes, if/when you get it out, give axle the wire wheel treatment and grease before reinstall.

 

[ST Guy]

And do NOT forget to check the condition of the driving and driven splines, make sure they're properly lubed with extra high moly content paste, that the o rings are in good shape, and that the rubber dampers and their bushings are in good shape as well.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Thanks for all the help - finally got the thing out today. It looks like it was just years of less than stellar maintenance. Had a friemd come over to help and between the 2 of us we got it out - I was pounding on it from the right and she was pulling on it from the left - yes, it took a LADY to get it done! If I was a chauvinist I'd be mortified - but I'm grateful for ANY help!

Anyway, it's out and the wheel is off. The axle itself looks clean, just some probably old grease on it. The drive gear and driven gear look good - I've got a fresh tube of Honda Moly77 to use once I clean it all up. Next step is to find a shop that can dismount the tire and mount a new one - I'm leaning toward Santa Clara Cycles but I'm open to suggestions.

As an FYI - the tire has a fair amount of tread on it still, but the date code says "1900" :wow Eighteen years on a tire? WOW!

 

[auntiebling]

I have yet to find a reason to go anywhere besides SCC. Especially as you have a loose wheel.

 

[Slow Goat]

Sometimes a bigger hammer is just a requirement.

 

[ST Guy]

Moly 77? 'Must be the replacement for their Moly 60.

 

[stever]

Might want to check for play in the wheel bearings and final drive bearings after pounding out the axle.

 

[ST Guy]

Or, if the bike has enough miles on it, simply replace the bearings while the wheel is out. New seals as well.

 

[Pushrod]

Airhead till I die.

Bearings are cheap, drive 'em out now before regrets occur later when the races cut into the axle and the axle become impossible to get out.

I paid that tuition.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Good point on the bearings - do shops typically stock them, or should I order some and bring them with me when I get the tire mounted?

 

[auntiebling]

Honda dealer might have them in stock, but unless they are shared with something significantly newer I wouldn't expect it.

Independent shop, almost certainly no

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

I have yet to find a reason to go anywhere besides SCC. Especially as you have a loose wheel.

A big shout out to the guys at Santa Clara Cycle - just got the new tire mounted today! I had to sign a waiver holding them harmless if anything untoward happens because of the car tire, but once I explained that it was going on a sidecar rig they were okay with it. Oh, I checked the bearings and they are in good shape.

Now I've got to put the bike back together, chase down an electrical issue with the sidecar lighting, and get the cruise control working...then we're on the road again! :cool

 

[mjj]

Moly 77? 'Must be the replacement for their Moly 60.

I’ve been looking into the moly paste thing, and I don’t think there’s any molybdenum in the “moly” 77. Looks like you can call any old thing “moly”.

Honda’s moly60 was indeed 60% molybdenum sulfide.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

I’ve been looking into the moly paste thing, and I don’t think there’s any molybdenum in the “moly” 77. Looks like you can call any old thing “moly”.

Honda’s moly60 was indeed 60% molybdenum sulfide.

All I know is that everything I've read indicates that Honda has discontinued the Moly 60 and replaced it with the Moly 77, and the MSDS sheet for it calls it "Molybdenum disulfide grease" ...