Feel like an idiot... how do you get the front wheel on?

[OldGreyBeast]

The manual doesn't mention any special method, but I can't see how in the world the wheel installs. I tried putting the wheel in place with just 1 fork installed, that didn't work. It doesn't seem to fit between the brake caliper mounting points. WTF?

[DiverRay]

With a Special, I deflate the tire to install it.

[OldGreyBeast]

Ok, removing the valve stem got the tire past the caliper mounts... now I can't get the speedo thingy in there. The manual really should have had a procedure for this.... FFS. Never in my life have I seen such a wonky mess.

[OldGreyBeast]

Is this the wrong front wheel? The brake rotors are 12.3mm cm apart. However the rotor 'holes' in the forks are only 10.8cm apart.

[bikerphil]

Just turn the forks until the tire fits past, then turn them back straight.

[OldGreyBeast]

I think this bike has the wrong triple tree or something.... Anyone else with a special mind taking a measurement of their forks like what I did in the picture below? Mine came out to right about 47.5cm.

[cajun31]

Do what Ray and Phil said. Deflate the tire and turn the forks then slide the tire up in place. Helps if you have someone helping you.

[OldGreyBeast]

I did that, but the wheel just doesn't fit in there. When I got the bike the front wheel was installed without the spacer or the speedometer drive thingy. I really think this bike either has the wrong wheel or wrong triple tree.

[bikerphil]

I'm getting 5 13/16" between fork tubes.

[OldGreyBeast]

Phil, is that triple from a special or a standard?

[Ranger_xs1100]

OGB, see posts 17 and 18 for special and standard triple differences. Hope that helps.

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[OldGreyBeast]

Thanks... there goes that theory. I just really can't see how the wheel can fit in there. The wheel is 15.3cm from the outside of the axle spacer to the outside of the speedo thingy, but there's only 14.4cm of space between the forks....

If the triple trees are the same width between special and standard that just leaves the wheel being wrong right?

[cajun31]

Post some pictures of your wheel and tire. From the side if possible. By the way, were you planning on replacing that tire in your first picture? Considering the trouble putting the wheel on, it might be a good idea to replace that tire now before mounting the wheel. If I were closer to you I would come over and lend you a hand. All I can tell you is it is a tight fit. I have MNS's and the forks are painted glossy black and are easily nicked when mounting the front wheel. I have done the job enough times now that I can get it done by myself without messing my paint jobs up. Get the photos up on here and I am sure we can verify things for you.

[Ranger_xs1100]

My front wheel with spacer and speedo pickup measures about the same... aprox 6 inches which converts to aprox 15.24 cm.
Did that wheel come off of the bike?
Does the space between the forks change when you rotate them?
Could your forks be bent?
Can you spread the forks a little bit by hand just enough to squeeze the wheel in?

[OldGreyBeast]

Heh yeah I've been to Brandon a couple times but it is a bit of a hike! I was leaning towards just running that old tire for a while, I have my own tire machine and on most of my bikes doing a front tire is like a 1 hour job. This guy is proving quite different lol. Here's a little video - https://youtu.be/A43vg89l_Hs?si=N6w56ekWBIw8IDIE