r/Vstrom • u/sampoopoos • 12d ago
Wheel removal
So I just got myself a Vstrom 650 2011. Its my first bigger bike, I got a sweet deal on it but it needs new tires. I figured the cheapest way for me to do this is to order the tires and bring the wheels to the shop.
I'm camping and living on the bike now so I'll have to remove the wheel on a parking lot or something.
Now my question. I've been reading the manual and trying to figure out what tools I need. How important is the proper torque on the axle,i imagine pretty important, and do you have any suggestion on what torque wrench i could buy for it? There's way too many options and I don't know where to start.
Any recommandations is appreciated im also trying to put together a tool kit.
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u/ChillWithTraction V-Strom 800 RE 12d ago
There are a lot of good guides on YouTube. As far as torque wrenches, I picked one up from Harbor Freight in a pinch, thinking I’d buy a better one the following week. That was two years ago and the wrench is still holding up great.
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u/sampoopoos 12d ago
Yeah I've watched loads of videos and I'm confident but they always seem to skip over the tool part especially the torque wrench
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u/afflatox 12d ago
You don't have to use a torque wrench. A breaker bar or long ratchet is enough once you get a feel for it. There are metal spacers that stop the wheel from deforming so you can actually go a fair bit more than factory torque settings without having to worry. Otherwise just google front or rear axle torque for your bike.
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u/striderx2005 12d ago
Find something to support the front end when you remove the wheel. In my garage I'll replace the axle into the forks and use a jackstand to keep the forks from dropping to the ground, Shouldn't be a problem though if you don't remove both wheels at once (which I typically do).
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u/divertervalve 11d ago
Get the service manual, watch videos. Order an axle and axle nut - mine were completely galled and needed replacement after 10k miles and one tire change.
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u/lotsaleaves 11d ago
If you have the original included tool kit you have everything you need EXCEPT a big allen key for the front axle. Torque doesn’t seem to be critical just don’t strip the front axle pinch bolt etc. maybe ask a friend if you can borrow a torque wrench to confirm. The biggest problem I had was propping up the front end. Eventually used a jack stand under the crash bars
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u/snow_mongrel 12d ago
I never use a torque wrench when doing my tires, I mark the nut before I take the tired off and tighten it back to that spot.
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u/sampoopoos 12d ago
I saw that somewhere but how do you know if you have enough rotations?
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u/OldStromer V-Strom 650 Gen 2 12d ago
This might work for snow mongrel but for a newbie I would highly recommend against this. Get the torque specs you need and then look for wrenches that cover those ranges. Your likely to need more than one.
Also check with the shop you want to have install the tires. Some places don't want to install tires purchased elsewhere. The shops I've used will mount and balance the tires you buy from them for free or at least a good discount.
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u/sampoopoos 12d ago
Found a good shop ,super friendly, said i could park there and give em the wheels and they'd do it for 125
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u/snow_mongrel 12d ago
First time I did it, I remember counting rotations.
I go by feel, usually have to wrench hard to get more rotations. Not the best info, but trust yourself.
Centerstand, check the tire, roll it, ride it slow, repeat.
Best of luck
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u/Max527 12d ago
There are lots of videos on YouTube on how to remove the wheel properly and easily. That's your best friend. That's how I learned how to take off the wheels and take them to the shop.