Motorcycle Flywheel Removal Procedure

Motorcycle flywheel removal requires certain procedure to be followed with the help of specific tools. Full concentration and attentiveness is needed in the removal, otherwise some of the engine’s components can be broken, damaged or completely spoiled.

Here a sequential procedure is listed for the motorcycle flywheel removal:

1. Make the Fitting Firm

The crankshaft in bike’s engine is attached to the flywheel and is positioned by the woodruff key- an even metal piece that holds the flywheel in its original place when it rotates along with the crankshaft. If the flywheel is only attached to the woodruff key then it can fall off from the crankshaft. Therefore it is screwed down to firm its position at the edge of the crankshaft. The screw has to be tightened as per factory specs with appropriate force of pressure to keep it intact when the crankshaft rotates.

2. Locking the Flywheel

As the crankshaft fitting is secured with the screw, thus the whole fitting will rotate when it is loosed with the help of socket wrench. It is important to lock the crankshaft and flywheel so that we can loose the screw holding it. Generally all the bike manufacturers make a specialized tool for holding the flywheel but if you don’t have that tool than tight the flywheel by other means. A screwdriver is the best tool but can spoil the aluminum flywheels that get broken or twisted easily. Therefore, a wooden tool is a better option for the aluminum flywheels.

3. Releasing the Screw

When the flywheel is set firm then the securing screw can be released with the help of socket wrench. Most of the European and Asian bike makers utilize the metric sizes, thus the engine requires precise socket measurement and correct socket size wrench. You can acquire sole metric socket for the screw size from nearby hardware store. Often the screw holding the crankshaft is very firm, so use the correct socket size with impact wrench to make it loose. It prevents the socket wrench from damage as full force is exerted on releasing the screw when you knock it.

4. Removing the Flywheel

After taking off the screw you can remove flywheel but it is still set firm on crankshaft. It is much tighter on the woodruff key, so r the flywheel requires some pressure to be removed. Make use of a removal tool specially designed for flywheel. The removal tools are available in two makes; screw-in make and centered- crankshaft make. The former type is a precise tool for motorcycle flywheel removal.  This tool gets into the socket bearing the threads in the hub of the flywheel. There is a screw in the mid of the tool that helps to get screwed in besides the crankshaft unit. When pressure is exerted with the help of a socket wrench inside then the inner screw is pressed besides the crankshaft whereas the threads draw the flywheel in reverse course. Now the flywheel can easily be removed from the crankshaft.

The second removal tool gets into crankshaft and drags the flywheel with its ends. It is not recommended tool as the flywheel can be twisted while removing it.  The gear pullers can cause similar dents to the flywheel.

5. Preventive Measures

Place the flywheel along with its securing nut to a safer side. Often the flywheel gets damaged and falls down when placed on the work stool. The aluminum flywheel gets dents easily when dropped from three feet height.

These steps can assist you in motorcycle flywheel removal quite easily. Prevention is always a better approach to opt that protects the flywheel and can be repositioned to its place in a good shape.