HEXHEAD Tech - R1200XX - Wheel Assembly R&R - All Years

[Semper_Fi]

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This DIY covers the removal and installation of the front and rear wheel assemblies

Specifics:

• Bike shown is a 2008 R1200RT (other Hexheads will be similar, but not exactly the same.)
• Heated seat option
• No factory radio
• Owner installed options of :

o Gerbing Permanent Heat Control
o Digital volt meter
o Modified accy socket (front) wiring harness
o Centech fuse panel and wiring for GPS

Overview process for the front wheel removal

• Place bike on center stand - smooth and level
• Remove brake calipers
• Loosen fork pinch bolt
• Loosen quick-release axle
• Raise front of bike about one 1" (25mm)
• Fully remove quick-release axle
• Remove wheel assembly

Overview process for the rear wheel removal

• Place bike on center stand - smooth and level
• Loosen muffler clamp
• Remove muffler support bolt
• Swing muffler out of the way
• Remove 5 wheel bolts
• Remove wheel assembly

[Semper_Fi]

I used the following tools:

- Scissor jack to raise bike
- Small piece of wood to protect engine from jack
- T-25 Torx to remove fender bolts
- T-45 Torx to remove caliper bolts and loosen fork pinch bolt
- Front Axle Removal tool - from Marc PArnes - not affiliated - www.marcparnes.com
- 19mm Wrench

- Not Shown:
- 19mm socket 1/2 in drive
- 1/2 drive wrench
- Torque Wrench

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Place bike on center stand on a flat and level surface.

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Remove 2 T-25 Torx Bolts from the underside of the front fender

There are a total of four, 2 on each side

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Once the four T-25 Torx are removed you can remove the front portion of the front fender.

Please note you have to pull apart SLIGHTLY from the back to clear the tab that is on the fender which mates to the rear portion of the rest of the fender.

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Fender tab detail

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Using a T-45 Torx - loosen - do not remove the fork pinch bolt on the clutch side fork tube.

There is no need to remove

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Remove 4 caliper bolts (2 per) using a T-45 Torx

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Remove the second bolt from the caliper

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Removing the caliper.

You need to remove the calipers from the discs so as to be able to remove the wheel assemble.

As you pull the caliper off the mount you need to twist the caliper slightly so you are using the disc to push the pad back - this will allow the gap to be enlarged and you can then pull off the caliper.

Once done repeat on the other side.

Please note for those with ABS be aware of the ABS sensor wire is clipped to the fork leg - you can easily remove the caliper with no issue to the sensor wire - just be aware of it.

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Rotating the caliper - tough to take a picture of the process but you can see from the angle how it was done

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Once the calipers are off you can remove the quick release axle.

I use a Marc Parnes Tool - works well - there are others - I have no affiliation to Marc just use his product.

The first thing i do is break the quick release free with a 19 mm socket on a half in drive wrench, and then I use a regular ratcheting wrench to complete the removal

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Breaking the axle bolt loose

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After you have broken the axle bolt loose - raise the bike up so that the front wheel is up about an inch and a half or so - this will allow the wheel to drop once you remove the axle and clear the fender.

The image below shows the hardware removed and amount of lift on the jack to clear the fender

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As you remove the axle bolt the tire assembly will tip to the throttle side, you need to remove the spacer, hold on to the wheel, and remove the axle bolt.

Once done the wheel will drop and you have removed the wheel assembly