Kawasaki World banner
Cancel

Front Wheel Woes......

2112 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Rokitt, 
G
Ok, bike is ready for new feet, so I place bike on rear stand and jack-up front wheel. I go over to remove the axle and what's this....a 22 mm Allen wrench is required to remove the front axle. Efffing $*%@&$#%. I got a 17 mm, but no 22 mm. Check the toolbag for something to use...nothing. Call Sears, nope, they dont make anything bigger than 17 mm wrench or 10mm allen socket adapter.

What the hell do people use to remove that front axle? Throw me a bone mates. Dont tell me I gotta weld together some nuts onto a T-handle or something.

Am I missing something from my factory tool kit.....because if not, they obviously dont want you working on the front wheel.

</p>
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
G
Used a Craftsman 13/16 -inch spark plug socket which just happened to have a 22 mm base to it. Stuck an extension rod into the socket and walllaaaa....22mm allen wrench which can be driven by a rachet.

Now, how come I didnt find that "tool" the FIRST time I went throught the tool box?

</p>
Reply
Save
Like
J
Doesn't it have a 17mm hole on the other end? I just leave the big end in the pinch, and loosten the 17 side....

When I reassemble, I tighten it up as best I can, then pinch the big side and cinch up the 17mm.

</p>
Reply
Save
Like
G
Hey Sporttourer,
I bought a short allen wrench ( 50mm long ) it's 22mm one end, which fits the axle, and the other end is 24mm so I use a 24mm socket with a bar.
I think it's known as an adapter, you should be able to pick one up at a hardware or tool store.

KIWI=A small flightless bird which Eats, Roots, and Leaves.</p>
Reply
Save
Like
R
just loosen the 17 side and push the axle out the other side.

</p>
Reply
Save
Like
G
When you put the wheel back on DO NOT USE THE PINCH BOLTS TO HOLD THE AXLE while tightening! use the 22mm & 17mm, read the shop man.

</p>
Reply
Save
Like
VinnieZX12R
Sporttourer, excellent idea in using the sparkplug socket! I noticed that the end fits the 22 mm hex perfectly a few months ago, but never thought to try adding the socket extension to turn it! Learned a new trick, thanks.

"Take two beers and call me in the morning"</p>
Reply
Save
Like
OutsiderZX12R
You also need a 22mm for removing the swingarm. I made a tool out a bolt and some nuts that were 22 mm where the wrench went on.

Hello, My name is OutsiderZX12R, and I am a ZX-12R.org addict.</p>
Reply
Save
Like
E
MAN you guys are AWSOME! I love this site. I can see myself having the exact same problem in a few more thousand miles. Now I won't be going all over the garage looking for that correct size nut and then going all over town to find the correct size wrench.

</p>
Reply
Save
Like
Rokitt
Hey sporttourer, I have the same socket,but I never would have thought to try it. Thanks

If a little is good,too much has got to be better.</p>
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Kawasaki World
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, racing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
ZX-12R General Motorcycle Discussions Member Classifieds ZX-14 ZX-11
Top