1976 GL1000

[steelersman72]

I need some help on removing the front tire and changing the front brakes on my 1976 GL1000. I can do the brakes on my car but I have never done them on my bike. Also how hard is it to remove the front tire on the bike. I am ok with this stuff on cars but I have never done it on my bike. I don't know why but working on my bike is intimidating to me. Any advise on this would very much appreciated.

[wjnfirearms]

The front wheel is easy to remove. Take off the axle nut and work out the axle and voila!

Brake pad replacement is no more difficult to do than on most any other vehicle equipped with disc brakes. If you've done this on any other bike, you can do it here. I actually believe that some cars are a bit more difficult to do than on the 1st gen Wings.

[WingAdmin]

Have a look at the GL1100 How-To Articles. Both topics are covered there for the GL1100, and the GL1000 procedures are substantially the same if not identical.

[thrasherg]

As stated, I just put the bike on it's center stand, put some weight (I use large sacks of dog food) on the passenger seat to lift the front wheel in the air, then undo the front axle nut, and push the axle out, the wheel will usually come straight out, just watch out for the speedo drive and cable.

Gary

[tfdeputydawg]

If you're removing the front wheel only to change pads. Don't!!!!!
You can change pads without removing the wheel!
If the calipers need maintenance- remove them from the forks.

[steelersman72]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I am going to do it this weekend. The main reason for this is that I need a new front tire, any suggestions on a good front tire? I have a Dunnlop on there now.

[Fred Camper]

Nothing wrong with Dunlop. The Battlax gets good reviews as does the less expensive Spitfire. There are others, just depends on where you are shopping.

[Placerville]

Once you pull your front tire (and the rotors are no longer inside the calipers, DO NOT pull your front brake lever or you will be rebuilding your calipers rather than just replacing the pads. Put a block under your brake lever as a safety precaution.