I removed the front tire on my GL1800 to install a new front tire and noticed that the scribe mark on the axel was about 1/8th inch away from the fork. A video that I watched on changing the front tire said that the scribe mark should align with the outside of the fork. The tire was installed a little over 20 thousand miles ago by a dealer when I bought the trike. There hasn't been any usual wear that I can tell.
Is there anything I need to check before I install the new tire?
Is there any reason that it would have been installed this way or was it just a mistake?
Changing the front tire
- Viking
- Posts: 3760
- Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:59 pm
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 AD
1987 Harley Softail Custom
1974 Harley FLH (sold)
1965 Harley FLHE (sold)
1957 Harley Chopper (sold)
Re: Changing the front tire
Possibly spacers installed reversed, as in left one on right side and right one on left side? Can't be serious or you would have noticed problems such as rubbing brake disks.
- smilam
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:02 pm
- Location: Olathe Ks
- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 With a Roadsmith Trike Conversion
Re: Changing the front tire
Thanks for the replys. I got the new tire mounted and reinstalled it today with the axel installed with the scribe Mark where it was when I removed it and then with the scribe mark where it should have been.
The front brakes have always made a noise if I got on them hard in an emergency situation but under normal braking they were fine. I discovered that the brake caliber wasn't aligned properly when the scribe Mark wasn't aligned with the outside of the fork and under heavy braking it actually flexed the rotor enough to make it drag on the caliber. It had actually worn down a place on the caliber.
When I installed the axel with the scribe Mark where it should be the rotor was centered and no mater how hard I mashed the brakes it stayed centered. I took it for a test ride and there wasn't any noise no matter how hard I got on the brakes.
To answer my original question, yes it does make a difference and the scribe Mark needs to align with the outside edge of the fork.
I learn more every time I do any work on this trike.
The front brakes have always made a noise if I got on them hard in an emergency situation but under normal braking they were fine. I discovered that the brake caliber wasn't aligned properly when the scribe Mark wasn't aligned with the outside of the fork and under heavy braking it actually flexed the rotor enough to make it drag on the caliber. It had actually worn down a place on the caliber.
When I installed the axel with the scribe Mark where it should be the rotor was centered and no mater how hard I mashed the brakes it stayed centered. I took it for a test ride and there wasn't any noise no matter how hard I got on the brakes.
To answer my original question, yes it does make a difference and the scribe Mark needs to align with the outside edge of the fork.
I learn more every time I do any work on this trike.
- Wingsconsin
- Posts: 1097
- Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:47 pm
- Location: Sussex, Wisconsin (West of Milwaukee)
- Motorcycle: Current Rides -
2002 GL1800 - Pearl Orange
1983 Suzuki GS850GL - Blue & Black
Past rides -
2003 GL1800 - Illusion Blue
1996 GL1500 Aspencade - Pearl Blue
1992 GL1500 Aspencade -Candy Red
1980 GL1100 - Custom Cobalt Blue
1985 GL1200 Aspencade Brown
1983 CX500 Custom Red
1982 CX500 Custom Blue
1978 CX500 Standard Black
1982 Suzuki GS650 Red - Contact:
Re: Changing the front tire
Shame on the dealer for doing it wrong...it could cause premature brake pad wear ...
Postings are my opinions based on experience and acquired knowledge.
Your results may vary. Universal disclaimers apply.
Munk's Maxim -- There is no such thing as a cheap motorcycle
Your results may vary. Universal disclaimers apply.
Munk's Maxim -- There is no such thing as a cheap motorcycle