Trying to paint wheels, can't get rotors off...

[jmcvey1]

Hey all,

unfortunately I don't have a picture handy of the problem, but there are little clips under the bolts that keep the rotors on the wheels which are standing between me and having freshly painted wheels.

They looked pretty important so I didn't bang on them with a hammer (my go-to fix it move,) any idea's on how i could get these off, then back on, easily enough?

thanks

[natemoen]

The only way to remove them is to bend the clips out of the way, if they break they break, no way around it.

[barrelguy]

I just painted my front wheel, sans rotors. The 'clips' are just retainers to stop the bolts coming our by themselves. I just folded them down with a screwdriver and (smallish) hammer then simply unbolted them.

[bikerphil]

I don't even re-use use those clips, just lockwashers and lock tite. You can re-use them or get them new from MikesXS, P/N 29-6530....

If your rotors are badly corroded to the hub, soak them with deep creep. Otherwise just rock them back and forth.

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-66.html#products

[jetmechmarty]

Those "locks" are single use items. When you take them off, throw them away. It isn't safe to use them again. Yamaha has them. Part number 1J3-25834-01 Mike's XS has them as well. Either way, the set of three is about $5.

[bikerphil]

Those "locks" are single use items. When you take them off, throw them away. It isn't safe to use them again. Yamaha has them. Part number 1J3-25834-01 Mike's XS has them as well. Either way, the set of three is about $5.

Marty, do you re-use the main clutch nut lock plate ever?

[jetmechmarty]

Phil,

The clutch lock is the same part used on an XS650 and available at Mike's XS. The short answer is "no". That being said, I think these locks are OK to use again, provided they aren't bent in the same place again, or on the same tab in the case of the rotor lock.

[bikerphil]

Yep. the rotor locks have two tabs for each bolt, you can use the other set second time around. The Mikes ones might be made of cheaper metal?

[jetmechmarty]

I actually found the OEM locks are less expensive than Mike's, depending where you buy them. The OEM locks have a black finish and the Mike's locks are cadmium or zinc plated. I haven't a clue which is better quality.

[jmcvey1]

all good things to know!

then my plan is to bend them tomorrow and begin painting. I should have time to order new ones as I'm not looking to ride until the spring.

thanks again guys

[TopCatGr58]

Marty, do you re-use the main clutch nut lock plate ever?

Hey Phil,

That clutch lock washer is so much more beefier than a regular washer, I've used it and reused it when I've gone into my clutch a couple of times. I just use a large screwdriver and hammer to gently bend it down flat, loosen the nut, etc., and then a pair of channel locks to bend it back up to relock it around the newly torqued clutch nut! I do try to find a different portion to bend up. That nut is torqued to like 50+ ft/lbs, so I figured it would take quite a bit for it to get worked loose, so the lock washer seemed like just insurance!

T.C.

[bikerphil]

Hey TC, I've re-used that clutch nut locker so many times with no problems, so much that one side is even broken off . No problems yet <knock>.

[jetmechmarty]

No problems yet <knock>.

That's right! You'd better knock!

I think you can figure out why I don't reuse anything like that. I don't reuse cotter pins either.

[bikerphil]

That's right! You'd better knock!

I think you can figure out why I don't reuse anything like that. I don't reuse cotter pins either.

Lol, jet turbine flies off, yer in big trouble then.

[DGXSER]

Many moons ago I worked for GE Aircraft Engines in Evendale Ohio as a Design Engineer. (Yeah, it is rocket science, and still I could do it. Two cool things about jet engines, they are just a controlled rockets and two they suck and blow. )

The really interesting thing about it was that I worked side by side with the guys designing L&M engines, Land and Marine that is. The same thing we designed for a Jet engine had to be so light, and yet insanely sturdy and reliable, but on an L&M engine, weight meant nothing and reliability was not looked at as life or death.