GL1500 Goldwing Front Tire Change

Go to:  Front tire change summary page.
Go to:  Fender trim and brake cover removal.
Go to:  Brake caliper removal.
This page: Axle removal.

Return to: Jim's Goldwing page.


You can click on any picture to see the full size picture. (Broadband connection recommended.)


Remove the speedometer cable and the axle.

This screw holds the speedo cable in place. Remove the screw and then pull the cable free.


Place a jack under the front of the engine to
lift the front wheel off the ground.
The bike should be on the centerstand.
You will need to lift more than this.


Remove this bolt. The axle bolt is partially removed for display,
it comes out all the way. Remove it completely
Then loosen these two axle cinch bolts.
They don't need to be removed, just loosen them.


The left most line points to the speedometer gear.
Pay close attention to it.
The right lines point to the axle cinch bolts.
Loosen them, but you don't need to remove them.
Use a screw driver to help pull the axle.


The speedometer gear has a ridge on it to prevent it from spinning with the wheel. There is a raised part on the fork leg that engages this ridge. Pay close attention to the alignment before you take it apart. When you put it back together, make sure that you get the position correct so that the ridge on the gear housing engages the fork to prevent the gear housing from moving while the wheel rolls.

Pull the axle all the way through. The wheel will be loose. This spacer fits on the right side of the wheel.
You are looking at it from the front.


The wheel is loose now. Take the speedo gear out from the left side. The wheel should be sitting on the ground. Depending on how high you were able to lift the front end off the ground, you may be able to pull the wheel free. In my experience however the fender is in the way. In order not to damage the fender, I have raised the jack to the point where one of the two legs on the centerstand is actually off the ground. I have since thought about letting the air out of the rear suspension, letting the air out of the tires, or putting a piece of 1/2 inch plywood under the centerstand. I haven't tried any of these other steps because I have a motorcycle jack now. So now I can lift the bike right off the ground and it isn't an issue for me any longer.

Anyone reading this, let me know how you do it and I can update this page to reflect other experiences.

The wheel has been removed.





Go to:  Front tire change summary page.
Go to:  Fender trim and brake cover removal.
Go to:  Brake caliper removal.
This page: Axle removal.

Return to: Jim's Goldwing page.

Click here to E-mail me.