Evolution Softail Front Wheel Service
Mike RoenDescription
In this video lesson Mike is going to be focused on servicing the Softail front wheel of our 1988 Heritage. As always, tire pressures are very important. Both, for safety as well as tire longevity. Softail front tire pressure should typically be set from 32 to 36 psi depending on the load.
The date codes on the tires in this video tell us that these tires are 20 years old. They are dry and cracked and unsafe for the road. While we will not be changing tires in this video, this motorcycle will definitely be dressed with a fresh set of Dunlop 402s before it hits the pavement.
Prior to removing this Softail front wheel, Mike takes the time to inspect and adjust (tighten) the front spokes. As mentioned, Mike lubed the spoke nipples in anticipation of servicing the spokes. If nipples are frozen, adjustment can not be made. If spokes need to be tightened, they must be tightened evenly.
Choose a starting point on the rim and make your way around each side. Mike uses a dial indicator to demonstrate how the Softail front wheel end play can be inspected with the wheel still on the motorcycle. After that, the wheel is removed and Mike begins service of the wheel bearings. A seal puller is used to pull out the wheel seals. Once removed, Mike cleans and inspects the tapered Timken wheel bearings and races for damage or wear.
*Note: if reusing the same bearings, it is important to reinstall the bearings on the same side as they were removed. This keeps the same bearing with the same race and the bearings will still be running in the same direction that they had been running.*
Mike repacks and reinstalls the bearings back into the wheel hub with new wheel seals. Wheel seals can be tapped in with a plastic or rubber mallet. Or they can be tapped in with a driver and appropriate size press plug. Mike reinstalls the Softail front wheel and torques all hardware to spec.