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[gabhart]

Getting ready to tackle pulling my wheels off to have new tires installed. I have done the front before but never the rear. First, I'm looking for the correct nut size for the axle bolt. I've read 36mm or 1 7/16 but looking for confirmation.

Also looking for any advice and/or tips on making the off/on process as easy as possible short of taking it to the dealership.

[gabhart]

Forgot the alignment part. Is it as easy as making sure the axle center is the same distance on both sides to the center of the swing arm axle center? I plan on marking the adjustment washers on both sides prior to removal which I'm sure will get me close.

[Twolanerider]

It is 36mm.  It's a relatively obvious chore once you get in to it.  Do a few things to help yourself. 

Take a moment and watch where the axle will (or won't) clear the mufflers and saddlebag guards.  Pay attention to that first.  Take one end of the shocks loose so you can get more up and down travel.  Don't forget to take the belt off the pulley  .

Use a permanent market and put marks on the eccentric so when you retighten the belt you can just go back to the same place.

There are some nice shallow 36mm sockets that have special use on some imports that are handy when you don't have a lot of room between the nut and the muffler on the right side.  If you don't have something they're cheap on eBay.

Looks something like this:

[Twolanerider]

When reassembling as a one person job there is a handy and cheap little tool that makes keeping the axle end from moving while your tightening the nut on the right side.  Look for a little tool like this.  Holds the axle in place wherever you place the adjustment while you're pulling your torque wrench on the other side of the bike.

[Twolanerider]

Forgot the alignment part. Is it as easy as making sure the axle center is the same distance on both sides to the center of the swing arm axle center? I plan on marking the adjustment washers on both sides prior to removal which I'm sure will get me close.

The alignments not like it was on the old 2001 and earlier touring bikes with separate adjustments on each side to keep even.  Eccentrics on the ends of the axle that turn together.  Both sides have to stay together.  No washers, spacers nor alien abduction necessary.

[CVODON]

Don, you are the man. Never saw one of those shallow sockets but now I have to have one.
Thanks

[gabhart]

Thanks for the info Twolanerider. Looks like I will be adding a few tools to my collection!

[Twolanerider]

Don, you are the man. Never saw one of those shallow sockets but now I have to have one.
Thanks

That's a really handy socket Don.  Drop it on the nut behind the muffler then stick the extension on it.  You can get the nut off with much less room around the muffler and the muffler still on the pipe. 

[Twolanerider]

Thanks for the info Twolanerider. Looks like I will be adding a few tools to my collection!

Checked earlier and both of those were all over eBay for pretty cheap money.  If you don't find them quickly let me know and I'll forward links.  Happy swearing at your tire change day!

[gabhart]

Checked earlier and both of those were all over eBay for pretty cheap money.  If you don't find them quickly let me know and I'll forward links.  Happy swearing at your tire change day!

Found the shallow socket but not the torque stop you pictured. Found one from Jim's tools for $55 but I am guessing the one you pictured is less.

[Twolanerider]

Found the shallow socket but not the torque stop you pictured. Found one from Jim's tools for $55 but I am guessing the one you pictured is less.

Here is the cheapest I'm finding right now:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151657239932