Reinstalling the front wheel: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Tires]]

Putting the front wheel back on is pretty straightforward, with one exception: the speedometer drive. If you don't have the speedo drive aligned properly with the nubs on the fork , the slightest bit of torque on the axle nut will cause the wheel to be nigh on impossible to move.

Putting the front wheel back on is pretty straightforward, with one exception: the speedometer drive. If you don't have the speedo drive aligned properly with the nubs on the fork, the slightest bit of torque on the axle nut will cause the wheel to be nigh on impossible to move.

First, take careful note of the bits and pieces that come off when you pull out the axle: axle, right-side spacer, speedo drive, washer, crown nut and cotter pin. Reassemble it all in the same order.

The first problem occurs while ensuring that the speedo drive '''((gear???))''' meshes with the teeth in the wheel. You have to line up the notches in the wheel with the notches on the speedo drive. Get those inner notches lined up, then spin the wheel a tad to line up the notches on the fork and speedo (see below). ~~Below is the Kawasaki~~ parts diagram ~~with~~ the two pieces that need to fit together circled. The notches on the part on the wheel need to have the raised portion (it's barely visible in the photo) on the speedo gear in them.

The first problem occurs while ensuring that the speedo drive '''((gear???))''' meshes with the teeth in the wheel. You have to line up the notches in the wheel with the notches on the speedo drive. Get those inner notches lined up, then spin the wheel a tad to line up the notches on the fork and speedo (see below). This parts diagram shows the two pieces that need to fit together (circled). The notches on the part on the wheel need to have the raised portion (it's barely visible in the photo) on the speedo gear in them.

[[image:speedo gear.bmp|150px]]

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[[image:Forktabs.JPG|150px]]

If you're WAY off, like 20 degrees, you can actually reassemble the wheel usably, because the posts aren't interfering with each other, but it's wrong and will allow a lot of play in the speedo drive. There should be a little (1/8") rotational play, but not much. Once you think you have everything lined up, give the wheel a spin before you put the nut on. That should tell you if everything is in the right place or not.

One other thing: Pay special attention to the lip seal on the speedo drive. It is thin and easy to fold over when installing the front wheel. The result is an annoying squeak at parking lot speed.

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 [[Category:Tires]]
-Putting the front wheel back on is pretty straightforward, with one exception: the speedometer drive. If you don't have the speedo drive aligned properly with the nubs on the fork , the slightest bit of torque on the axle nut will cause the wheel to be nigh on impossible to move.
+Putting the front wheel back on is pretty straightforward, with one exception: the speedometer drive. If you don't have the speedo drive aligned properly with the nubs on the fork, the slightest bit of torque on the axle nut will cause the wheel to be nigh on impossible to move.
 First, take careful note of the bits and pieces that come off when you pull out the axle: axle, right-side spacer, speedo drive, washer, crown nut and cotter pin. Reassemble it all in the same order.
-The first problem occurs while ensuring that the speedo drive '''((gear???))''' meshes with the teeth in the wheel. You have to line up the notches in the wheel with the notches on the speedo drive. Get those inner notches lined up, then spin the wheel a tad to line up the notches on the fork and speedo (see below). Below is the Kawasaki parts diagram with the two pieces that need to fit together circled. The notches on the part on the wheel need to have the raised portion (it's barely visible in the photo) on the speedo gear in them.
+The first problem occurs while ensuring that the speedo drive '''((gear???))''' meshes with the teeth in the wheel. You have to line up the notches in the wheel with the notches on the speedo drive. Get those inner notches lined up, then spin the wheel a tad to line up the notches on the fork and speedo (see below). This parts diagram shows the two pieces that need to fit together (circled). The notches on the part on the wheel need to have the raised portion (it's barely visible in the photo) on the speedo gear in them.
 [[image:speedo gear.bmp|150px]]
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 [[image:Forktabs.JPG|150px]]
+If you're WAY off, like 20 degrees, you can actually reassemble the wheel usably, because the posts aren't interfering with each other, but it's wrong and will allow a lot of play in the speedo drive. There should be a little (1/8") rotational play, but not much. Once you think you have everything lined up, give the wheel a spin before you put the nut on. That should tell you if everything is in the right place or not.
 One other thing: Pay special attention to the lip seal on the speedo drive. It is thin and easy to fold over when installing the front wheel. The result is an annoying squeak at parking lot speed.