How to remove front wheel of Big Red

[hondajas]

How do you remove the front wheel, brakes and all off of a 1985 Big Red? There are 4 small nuts on the right side fo it, I take them off and then the shaft is loose. But how do I take it all off so that the wheel comes off too? How about that small hole at the end of the front axle where those 4 nuts are? Do I have to turn that?

JasonJ

[200xman]

Put the nuts and clamp back on loosley to support the axle then unscrew the axle from the fork.

[ejc042]

dont forget to disconnect the brake cable before you try to move the tire and brakes too far.

[hondajas]

Do you mean to unscrew it from where the 4 nuts are on the shaft itself? I tried that, I had a pipe on the wrench for more leverage and it did't even budge.

[ejc042]

If you loosen the four nuts then use a socket(17mm i believe) on the end of the axl you should be able to unscrew the axle. If ti does not budge get some rust breaker and let i soak a little while then try again.

[hondajas]

O.K. now I know exactly how to do it. It was actually what I was doing. I sprayed a lot of liquid wrench spray on it, never budged. I had a breaker bar and a 17mm on it, with a pipe for extension and it still didn't move. Maybe I'll have to heat it a little with a torch. After all those years of mud, water, snow, it's caked on pretty good.

[ejc042]

Dont forget you can also try vibration therapy. You can tap on the wrench or ratchet some and see if the vibrations will help break it loose.

[twkmaster]

that front axle is gonna be a booger. easy does it. try, a little at a time, applying heat then spray w/good penetrating agent. repeat as necessary and don't get in a big hurry. u will find that by heating the housing that it reacts like a solder joint and sucks the solvent in. remember you are dealing with a steel axle and aluminum housing; tough combination and famous for seizing up. you will probably have to use 1/2" stuff and possibly cheater pipe or extension. just don't get in a big hurry and don't give up.

good luck; hope this helps.

[hondajas]

Yeah, I tries it yesterday, heated a bit, spray, tilt machine so spray penetrates. It's only my parts bike, I just wanna see how it all goes together instead of breaking it on a good Big red. I don't really need to do it, I'll try it this summer when it's warmer. Currently the parts trike is sitting outside under a tarp at -40 Celcius, of Farenheit, so it won't budge.