Can someone post me the rear axle socket size please. I've decided to take some of the work away from the stealer and my PDF isn't search friendly. Also looking for a good stand to order for for front wheel removal if any recommendations there. Also units that work well for taking the tire off the rim. I'd like to start changing my own tires. Figured I'd just order everything in one go. Thanks for any feedback.

32mm I have been using a Craftsman 23 point for years with no issues.

Great thanks.

The first time I removed the rear tirethe axle nut was way over torqued. I would only go with 6 point sockets for the big torques. Most of the larger sockets you will find are 6 point. Gpo with impact sockets--the light colored chromed sockets could split on you when you torque.

i would just go to Harbor Freight and buy a set of Husky metric sockets. $50 and you should be just about covered. After spendin ~$35 on individual sockets for the 14, I just might go and get a set the next time I need a socket I don't have.

Pit bull Newfrontstand with forklift converter will cover all your front lift needs.

I am getting a Harbor freight tire changer . Very cheap and I hear you can use it witout scrtaching the rim if you are very careful. I don't change tires that often so price is most important to me ----as long as I can use safely with extra caution, it will be fine..

Just a few posts beloe yours here in maintenance . tire changres...

http://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=2526FC28-D56B-84E2-1A4CF3C9C464A160

You may need to get a 24" breaker bar to loosen that axle nut the first time. Also comes in handy each time I take off the nut but I could prolly use a normal wrench/ratchet.

Always be very careful when turning hard on nuts at the rear wheel hub area. That seems to be a place where the bike is easily levered over. Almost happened on my sprocket nu removal (also way over torqued by the shop that installed my tire for me one time a couple years ago.)

Overlooked that other post thanks. I do 2 sets of tires per season on average (3 if the snow is gone early) and the stealer is charging $90-$100 so figured in a few years that unit would pay for itself. The No-Mar looks like the one as knowing my luck I'd scratch the hell out of the rim on the first go. Have to see if there is a Canadian distributor. For balance I've been using the Ride On sealant and balancer and that stuff seems to work well. Thanks for the info.

I have heard dyna beads to be an excellent method of balancing. I have no idea how they work or what they are. Still other members insist that balancing a wheel after tire install does nothing of any great benefit.

As far as stands go, I bought a Redline Engineering Sportbike Centerstand before I found out that there is a mounted, OEM stand available for our bikes. My big, black ZED goes up on that stand easily (it has pins that you stick in the swingarm pivot shaft) and feels very secure up there. The instructions say the stand lifts around the center of gravity, and the front end is very light while up on the stand. I can turn the front tire to line up the valve stem to check air pressure. The directions say you can find a safe place to jack under the motor and get the front end up for tire, fork, steering stem maint. That is one nice thing about this stand, you can pull the steering stem apart while on it, something you can't do with a regular front stand. The stand also comes with a selection of pins (about 12) that fit other sport bikes, so you can use it on other bikes too. I use it when doing chain cleaning/maintenance on my son's CBR1000. It's a nice piece.

Ive used both dyna beads and ride-on the dyna-beads work great and tire and rim inside are still like new, I know there were some concerns of the beads tearing up the inside of the tire. Im currently using the the ride-on in both my tires if you concerned about weight then don't use the ride-on its like 18-20 oz of ride-on in the rear tire only requires 4oz of dyna-beads

heres something id did to make removing the cotter pin a lil easier and i think gives it a cleaner look. You just have to drill it out a little its like a 3/16- 1/4" drill bit

Harbour Freight sells a nice 1/2 inch breaker bar and some real long tire irons too. Good prices and they have served me well.

Mad

Got my breaker bar from Advance Auto. Prolly same thing as Harbor freight but ~$5 more. 24 inches. Worked well on my countershaft bolt. You have to be REALLY careful when you use all that leverage--especially at the back wheel area. I lifted the bike off one side of the rear stand. Coulda tipped over. SO be wary.

Scotty that's a nifty lil pin you have there. I have seen pins just like that at HD and Lowe's. Might find one already made for a couple $$. I just use one of these. NOt the greatest pic but you can see it. (BTW and slightly OT --minimum wheel base you got there Scotty. I'd like to try that.)

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/23/2012 @ 9:08 AM *

BTW and slightly OT --minimum wheel base you got there Scotty. I'd like to try that.)

lol yea i put a 43 on for this season to see if i like it, just goes to show I've had no chain stretch in 7500 miles funny its says 116 link chain for a 43 but they didn't mention it would be all the way forward. hope i can keep the front end down lol

Yea Rook, That pin (scottjykl's) comes from a farm supply. Just run a drill bit through the holes to open them up a touch.