Hornet 250 front wheel removal- which way to turn the bolt?

[metalslug]

Had some real trouble removing the front wheel of my Hornet 250 yesterday.
I can take off the brake caliper but when it comes to the centre nut on the right side that's holding the axle of the wheel it was almost impossible... seems like the thing is stuck on permanently.

I have tried removing the screw on the pinch fork on the left side, spraying the nut with WD-40, but that doesn't seem to make it easier. The fact that I am lifting the bike up with a rear paddock stand and normal car jack (lifts from the bottom of the engine) does not help either as the bike can fall over if I exert too much force on one side.

Also just want to confirm that I should be turining the nut counter-clockwise to loosen it(the same direction as with all other nuts on the bike)- I have heard that some designs have the bolt screwed in the other way especially on the wheel so it won't loosen itself.

I have seen some youtube videos that a special unit can be used to remove the axle, just wondering if you really need those ? or is it just down to the techniques?

[vifferman]

There are two possibilities: Either the Hornet is like my VFR (and other Hondas I have owned), in which case the axle is threaded on the right-hand end, in the centre, and the 'nut' is actually a hollow bolt. To undo it, loosen either the left or right-hand pinch bolts (so there's something holding the axle tight), and undo it counter-clockwise (as per normal nuts). You may need a bar on a socket if it's seized at all, so make sure when you put the wheel back on you put a smear of grease, or some oil or WD40 on the thread.
If the axle's like mine, the left-hand end has a hole you can stick a screwdriver through to assist with getting it out, and you pull it out to the left.

The second possibility is the axle has a nut permanently fixed to the end, and you need to pull the axle out to the right - it doesn't undo. Loosen the pinch bolts, whack the axle on the left hand end with a soft hammer or block of wood, and pull it out to the right.

Assuming the front axle is the same as the VFR's, when you put it back in, make sure you line up the mark on the left-hand end with the edge of the fork. Don't tighten the nut/bolt on the right-hand end too much - it's there mainly to line the axle up, the pinch bolts are what hold the axle in. Don't forget the spacers, and if they're different sizes, note which one goes on which side. Before you tighten the pinch bolts, just tighten one side, then bounce the front end of the bike a few times without using the front brake. This makes sure things are lined up right.

If it's not the same (axle has a permanent nut), you just need to slide the axle in until the nut contacts the fork.

[Henk]

If you're paranoid about the whole lot falling over, leave it on the side stand until you have everything undone enough to start removing bits and then put it on the racestand / trolley jack.

[mouldy]

Remember this lefty loosey . righty tighty . Unless your takeing your back wheel out take it off the race stand , leave it on the sidestand and put a jack under the pipes .