5 Easy Steps: How to Replace a Fatboy Rear Tire

5 Easy Steps: How to Replace a Fatboy Rear Tire

Changing a Fatboy’s rear tire is a comparatively easy process that may be accomplished in below an hour with the proper instruments and slightly know-how. Nonetheless, earlier than you start, it is very important collect the entire mandatory supplies and instruments. This features a new rear tire, tire levers, a wrench, and a torque wrench. After you have all your supplies, you’ll be able to start the method of changing the rear tire.

Step one is to take away the previous rear tire. To do that, use the tire levers to pry the tire off the rim. As soon as the tire is off, you’ll be able to take away the interior tube. Subsequent, you will want to mount the brand new rear tire on the rim. To do that, first, place the interior tube contained in the tire. Then, use the tire levers to pry the tire onto the rim. As soon as the tire is on, you’ll be able to inflate it utilizing the air compressor.

The ultimate step is to torque the axle nut to the correct specification. That is necessary to make sure that the tire is correctly secured and won’t come off whereas driving. As soon as the axle nut is torqued, you’ll be able to reinstall the wheel and torque the lug nuts to the correct specification. Lastly, examine the tire strain one final time and ensure it’s right. Now that you’ve got changed the rear tire in your Fatboy, you will get again to driving and having fun with the open highway.

Assessing the Want for Substitute

Recognizing the suitable time to interchange your Fatboy rear tire is essential for guaranteeing each your security and optimum efficiency in your bike. Common inspection and vigilant consideration to sure indicators will information your decision-making course of.

**Tire Tread Depth:** Probably the most easy indicator is inspecting the tread depth. Authorized minimal tread depth varies relying on the particular bike and tire sort, however typically falls between 1/sixteenth and a pair of/32nds of an inch. You need to use a tire depth gauge or just insert a penny into the tread. If Lincoln’s head is roofed, the tread depth is satisfactory. Nonetheless, if it turns into seen, alternative is advisable.

**Tire Put on Sample:** An unbalanced or misaligned rear tire can result in uneven put on patterns, compromising its efficiency and stability. Observe the tire’s floor for any irregular put on patterns, similar to extreme put on on one shoulder or cupping, indicating irregularities within the tire’s contact with the highway.

**Tire Age:** The age of a tire additionally performs a job in its longevity. Whereas tires shouldn’t have an official expiration date, they naturally deteriorate over time as a result of publicity to UV rays, warmth, and numerous parts. Most producers suggest changing tires after six years, no matter utilization. Nonetheless, if the tire reveals indicators of serious deterioration or cracking, earlier alternative could also be warranted.

**Extra Elements:** Moreover, sure driving situations can hasten tire put on, similar to frequent laborious braking, aggressive cornering, or steady driving at excessive speeds. When you have interaction in these actions often, extra frequent tire inspections and replacements could also be mandatory.

By contemplating the elements outlined above, you’ll be able to successfully assess the necessity for changing your Fatboy rear tire. Common inspections, consideration to warning indicators, and adherence to advisable tips will guarantee your security and optimum driving expertise.

Gathering Crucial Instruments and Tools

To efficiently exchange a Fatboy rear tire, you may want to collect a particular set of instruments and gear. Here is a complete record to make sure you’re absolutely ready for the duty:

Important Instruments:

  • Tire levers (2 or 3)
  • Wheel chocks (2)
  • Ratchet with deep socket or field wrench
  • Torque wrench
  • Jack stand or bike elevate
  • Bead breaker
  • Valve stem device
  • Tire gauge

Really useful Tools:

  • Wheel stand
  • Tire balancer
  • Air compressor or hand pump
  • Cleaning soap or tire mounting lube

Along with these instruments and gear, you may additionally want a brand new rear tire appropriate along with your Fatboy mannequin.

Tire Specs:

The next desk summarizes the tire specs generally used on Harley-Davidson Fatboy fashions:

Tire Dimension Rim Width Side Ratio
150/70B17 5.50 70

Please word that these specs might fluctuate relying on the particular Fatboy mannequin and 12 months of manufacturing.

Security Precautions to Take

Earlier than you start working in your Fatboy, there are a couple of necessary security precautions you need to take:

1. Park your bike on a stage floor and interact the parking brake.

2. Put on applicable security gear, together with gloves, eye safety, and a helmet.

3. Disconnect the adverse battery terminal to stop any electrical accidents.

3. Carry the Bike Safely

Lifting a motorbike will be harmful in case you do not do it appropriately. Listed below are some suggestions for lifting your Fatboy safely:

a. Use a motorbike jack or elevate stand to lift the rear of the bike. By no means try and elevate the bike by your self, as it may be very heavy.

b. As soon as the bike is lifted, place a chock block below the entrance wheel to stop it from rolling.

c. Watch out to not over-tighten the elevate stand, as this may injury the bike’s body.

d. In case you are not comfy lifting the bike your self, you’ll be able to all the time take it to a professional mechanic.

Disassembling the Rear Wheel

To take away the rear wheel, you may have to disassemble it by following these steps:

1. Take away the Axle Nuts

Find the axle nuts on either side of the rear wheel. Utilizing a wrench, loosen and take away the axle nuts fully.

2. Slide the Wheel Out

As soon as the axle nuts are eliminated, rigorously pull the rear wheel straight again. It ought to slide out of the swingarm simply.

3. Take away the Brake Caliper

Subsequent, take away the brake caliper by unbolting the mounting bolts connecting it to the swingarm. Fastidiously elevate off the caliper and assist it with a bungee twine or zip ties to stop injury to the brake line.

4. Unscrew the Spokes and Take away the Rim

Now, you may have to unscrew the spokes that join the rim to the hub. Begin by untightening every spoke barely utilizing a spoke wrench. As soon as all of the spokes are unfastened, rigorously elevate the rim off the hub, guaranteeing that the spokes don’t get tangled.

Here is a desk that will help you visualize the spokes and their places:

Spoke Kind Location
Drive Facet Spokes Hook up with the hub on the facet of the rear sprocket
Non-Drive Facet Spokes Hook up with the hub on the other facet of the sprocket

Eradicating the Previous Tire

**Step 5: Breaking the Bead**

Breaking the bead, the crucial step in eradicating the previous tire, requires endurance and warning. Use a bead breaker or a sturdy pry bar to rigorously work your manner across the tire’s circumference. First, place the bead breaker on the far facet of the rim, reverse the valve stem. Slowly pry the bead away from the rim’s edge, making use of even strain. Transfer alongside the circumference, working in small sections to keep away from damaging the tire or rim.

The next desk summarizes the steps for breaking the bead:

Step Description
Place bead breaker Place the bead breaker reverse the valve stem.
Apply strain Step by step and evenly pry the bead away from the rim.
Work round circumference Slowly transfer the bead breaker across the tire’s circumference, conserving strain constant.
Examine bead Examine the bead to make sure it is fully separated from the rim.

As soon as the bead is damaged across the total circumference, you’ll be able to proceed to eradicating the previous tire by hand or utilizing tire irons. Nonetheless, it is essential to interrupt the bead with precision and care to keep away from any injury to the tire or rim.

Putting in the New Tire

Putting in the brand new tire is comparatively easy, but it surely does require some drive and warning. Comply with these steps rigorously:

1. Making ready the Rim

Clear the rim completely to take away any dust or particles. Make sure the wheel is dry earlier than continuing.

2. Mounting the Tire

Align the tire’s bead with the rim’s edge and punctiliously work it onto the rim utilizing tire levers. Don’t use extreme drive or pry the tire on, as this might injury the tire or rim.

3. Seating the Bead

As soon as the tire is on the rim, inflate it to a low strain (round 15 psi). This can assist the bead to set into the rim.

4. Lubricating the Bead

Apply a skinny layer of soapy water or bead lubricant to the bead of the tire. This can assist the tire to slip into place extra simply.

5. Leveraging the Tire

Use tire levers or your arms to rigorously leverage the tire over the rim. Be affected person and apply regular strain till the tire is absolutely seated.

6. Inflating the Tire

As soon as the tire is seated, rigorously inflate it to the advisable strain. Use a tire gauge to make sure accuracy and keep away from over-inflation.

Tire Dimension Really useful Stress
26 x 4.0 15-25 psi
26 x 4.8 10-20 psi

Balancing the Rear Wheel

Balancing the rear wheel ensures that the tire rotates easily and evenly, stopping wobbling or vibration throughout driving. Here is a step-by-step information on learn how to stability a Fatboy rear wheel:

  1. Put together the Wheel: Take away the rear wheel from the bike and clear it completely.
  2. Set up the Balancing Stand: Mount the wheel on a balancing stand that helps bike wheels.
  3. Set the Zero Level: Use a bubble stage to make sure the stand is stage. Loosen the wheel and spin it slowly. The heavy level of the wheel will settle on the backside.
  4. Mark the Heavy Level: As soon as the wheel stops rotating, mark the purpose on the backside utilizing a chalk or paint pen.
  5. Add Weight Reverse the Heavy Level: Decide the quantity of weight wanted to stability the wheel by spinning it on the stand and observing the way it settles. Add weights to the other facet of the heavy level till the wheel balances.
  6. Fantastic-Tune the Steadiness: Spin the wheel once more and examine for any slight imbalance. Add or take away weight as mandatory till the wheel spins easily and evenly.
  7. Finalize and Remount: As soon as the wheel is balanced, tighten the wheel bolts securely and remount the wheel on the bike.

Extra Suggestions:

  • Use a high-quality balancing stand designed for balancing bike wheels.
  • Make sure the wheel is clear and freed from dust or particles earlier than balancing.
  • Use small increments of weight to keep away from over-balancing the wheel.
  • In case you are not assured in balancing the wheel your self, search skilled help from a mechanic.

Tightening and Aligning Elements

After you have changed the rear tire, it is very important tighten and align the elements appropriately. This can make sure that the bike is secure to experience and that the tire wears evenly.

Tightening the Axle Nuts

The axle nuts ought to be tightened to the torque specified within the bike’s proprietor’s guide. Use a torque wrench to make sure that the nuts are correctly tightened.

Aligning the Rear Wheel

To align the rear wheel, place a straightedge throughout the rear axle. The straightedge ought to be parallel to the bike’s body. Modify the chain stress and the rear axle nuts till the rear wheel is aligned with the straightedge.

Lubricating the Chain

As soon as the rear wheel is aligned, lubricate the chain with a bicycle chain lubricant. This can assist to maintain the chain working easily and forestall it from rusting.

Checking the Tire Stress

As soon as the tire is put in, it is very important examine the tire strain. The right tire strain can be listed on the sidewall of the tire.

Tire Dimension Stress Vary (psi)
20×4.0 10-25
26×4.8 12-30
29×2.6 20-40

Tips on how to Exchange Fatboy Rear Tire

Changing the rear tire on a Harley-Davidson Fatboy is a comparatively easy course of that may be accomplished with primary instruments and slightly little bit of mechanical know-how.

**Step 1: Security First**

Park the bike on a flat, steady floor. Interact the parking brake or use a chock to stop the bike from rolling.

**Step 2: Take away Exhaust**

Utilizing a socket wrench, loosen and take away the bolts that safe the exhaust to the body. Fastidiously slide the exhaust out of the way in which to reveal the rear wheel.

**Step 3: Loosen Axle Nut**

Utilizing a big socket wrench, loosen the axle nut on the proper facet of the bike. Don’t take away the nut fully at this level.

**Step 4: Take away Chain**

Utilizing a series device, disconnect the chain from the rear sprocket. Fastidiously take away the chain from the wheel.

**Step 5: Slide Out Axle**

Fastidiously slide the rear axle out of the wheelbase. The wheel ought to now be free to take away.

**Step 6: Take away Previous Tire**

Utilizing a tire iron, rigorously pry the previous tire off the rim. Get rid of the previous tire correctly.

**Step 7: Mount New Tire**

Lubricate the rim sparingly with tire mounting lube. Fastidiously mount the brand new tire onto the rim. Begin by hand-tightening the tire onto the rim.

**Step 8: Inflate Tire**

Utilizing a tire inflator, inflate the brand new tire to the producer’s advisable strain. Examine the sidewall of the tire for the right strain.

**Step 9: Reassemble**

Slide the wheel again into place and insert the rear axle. Tighten the axle nut securely utilizing a torque wrench. Reconnect the chain to the rear sprocket and tighten the chain to the producer’s specs.

**Step 10: Reattach Exhaust**

Slide the exhaust again into place and tighten the bolts to safe it to the body.

**Step 11: Last Examine**

Double-check all bolts and nuts to make sure they’re correctly tightened. Spin the rear wheel to ensure it’s rotating freely. If every part seems good, you are able to experience!

Folks Additionally Ask

How usually ought to I exchange my Fatboy rear tire?

The frequency of rear tire alternative relies on driving habits and situations. Sometimes, rear tires ought to be changed each 10,000 to fifteen,000 miles.

What instruments do I want to interchange my Fatboy rear tire?

You will have a socket wrench set, chain device, tire irons, tire mounting lube, and a tire inflator.

Can I exchange my Fatboy rear tire with out eradicating the exhaust?

It’s attainable to interchange the rear tire with out eradicating the exhaust, however it’s rather more troublesome and time-consuming.

What’s the advisable tire strain for a Fatboy rear tire?

The advisable tire strain for a Fatboy rear tire varies relying on the 12 months and mannequin of the bike. Seek the advice of your proprietor’s guide for the right strain.