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 beneath an hour with the best instruments and somewhat know-how. Nevertheless, earlier than you start, it is very important collect the entire crucial supplies and instruments. This features a new rear tire, tire levers, a wrench, and a torque wrench. After getting your whole supplies, you may 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 may take away the inside tube. Subsequent, you’ll need to mount the brand new rear tire on the rim. To do that, first, place the inside 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 may inflate it utilizing the air compressor.

The ultimate step is to torque the axle nut to the correct specification. That is vital 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 may reinstall the wheel and torque the lug nuts to the correct specification. Lastly, examine the tire strain one final time and ensure it’s appropriate. Now that you’ve changed the rear tire in your Fatboy, you may get again to driving and having fun with the open highway.

Assessing the Want for Alternative

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:** Essentially the most simple indicator is inspecting the tread depth. Authorized minimal tread depth varies relying on the precise bike and tire kind, however typically falls between 1/sixteenth and a pair of/32nds of an inch. You should use a tire depth gauge or just insert a penny into the tread. If Lincoln’s head is roofed, the tread depth is ample. Nevertheless, if it turns into seen, alternative is really helpful.

**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, comparable 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 task in its longevity. Whereas tires would not have an official expiration date, they naturally deteriorate over time resulting from publicity to UV rays, warmth, and numerous parts. Most producers suggest changing tires after six years, no matter utilization. Nevertheless, if the tire exhibits indicators of serious deterioration or cracking, earlier alternative could also be warranted.

**Further Components:** Moreover, sure driving circumstances can hasten tire put on, comparable to frequent arduous braking, aggressive cornering, or steady driving at excessive speeds. For those who interact in these actions repeatedly, extra frequent tire inspections and replacements could also be crucial.

By contemplating the components outlined above, you may successfully assess the necessity for changing your Fatboy rear tire. Common inspections, consideration to warning indicators, and adherence to really helpful tips will guarantee your security and optimum driving expertise.

Gathering Crucial Instruments and Tools

To efficiently substitute a Fatboy rear tire, you will want to assemble a selected set of instruments and gear. Here is a complete listing to make sure you’re totally 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 carry
  • Bead breaker
  • Valve stem instrument
  • 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 will additionally want a brand new rear tire suitable together 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 could fluctuate relying on the precise Fatboy mannequin and yr of manufacturing.

Security Precautions to Take

Earlier than you start working in your Fatboy, there are a couple of vital security precautions you must take:

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

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

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

3. Raise the Motorbike Safely

Lifting a bike may be harmful if you happen to do not do it accurately. Listed below are some ideas for lifting your Fatboy safely:

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

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

c. Watch out to not over-tighten the carry stand, as this could harm the bike’s body.

d. In case you are not comfy lifting the bike your self, you may all the time take it to a certified mechanic.

Disassembling the Rear Wheel

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

1. Take away the Axle Nuts

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

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 carry off the caliper and help it with a bungee twine or zip ties to stop harm to the brake line.

4. Unscrew the Spokes and Take away the Rim

Now, you will 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 carry 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 Aspect Spokes Connect with the hub on the aspect of the rear sprocket
Non-Drive Aspect Spokes Connect with the hub on the alternative aspect of the sprocket

Eradicating the Previous Tire

**Step 5: Breaking the Bead**

Breaking the bead, the crucial step in eradicating the previous tire, requires persistence and warning. Use a bead breaker or a sturdy pry bar to rigorously work your means across the tire’s circumference. First, place the bead breaker on the far aspect 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, maintaining strain constant.
Test bead Examine the bead to make sure it is utterly separated from the rim.

As soon as the bead is damaged across the complete circumference, you may proceed to eradicating the previous tire by hand or utilizing tire irons. Nevertheless, it is essential to interrupt the bead with precision and care to keep away from any harm to the tire or rim.

Putting in the New Tire

Putting in the brand new tire is comparatively simple, nevertheless it does require some power 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 power or pry the tire on, as this might harm 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 may 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 may assist the tire to slip into place extra simply.

5. Leveraging the Tire

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

6. Inflating the Tire

As soon as the tire is seated, rigorously inflate it to the really helpful 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 the best way 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 degree to make sure the stand is degree. 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 alternative aspect of the heavy level till the wheel balances.
  6. Effective-Tune the Stability: Spin the wheel once more and examine for any slight imbalance. Add or take away weight as crucial 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.

Further 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 Parts

After getting changed the rear tire, it is very important tighten and align the elements accurately. This may be sure that the bike is secure to trip and that the tire wears evenly.

Tightening the Axle Nuts

The axle nuts needs to be tightened to the torque specified within the bike’s proprietor’s handbook. 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 needs to be parallel to the bike’s body. Regulate the chain rigidity 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 may assist to maintain the chain working easily and stop 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

How you can Change Fatboy Rear Tire

Changing the rear tire on a Harley-Davidson Fatboy is a comparatively simple course of that may be accomplished with fundamental instruments and somewhat 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 best way to reveal the rear wheel.

**Step 3: Loosen Axle Nut**

Utilizing a big socket wrench, loosen the axle nut on the best aspect of the bike. Don’t take away the nut utterly at this level.

**Step 4: Take away Chain**

Utilizing a series instrument, 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. Eliminate 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 really helpful strain. Test 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 Test**

Double-check all bolts and nuts to make sure they’re correctly tightened. Spin the rear wheel to ensure it’s rotating freely. If the whole lot appears to be like good, you are able to trip!

Folks Additionally Ask

How usually ought to I substitute my Fatboy rear tire?

The frequency of rear tire alternative is determined by driving habits and circumstances. Sometimes, rear tires needs to be changed each 10,000 to fifteen,000 miles.

What instruments do I would like to interchange my Fatboy rear tire?

You will want a socket wrench set, chain instrument, tire irons, tire mounting lube, and a tire inflator.

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

It’s doable to interchange the rear tire with out eradicating the exhaust, however it’s way more tough and time-consuming.

What’s the really helpful tire strain for a Fatboy rear tire?

The really helpful tire strain for a Fatboy rear tire varies relying on the yr and mannequin of the bike. Seek the advice of your proprietor’s handbook for the right strain.