550 maxim wheel removal

Hi all. I'm pretty good mechanically, but since my life could depend on doing this right, could someone give me a quick overview on taking off the front wheel on a '81 maxim 550, and putting it back on?

I need to take it in and get a tire put on, but the tire on there wont make the trip. Just really dont want to screw anything up! Thanks!

 

release pressure on the brake pads by squeezing them in

remove safety pin, loosen nut, and pull the wheel off


depending on the balance of your bike, you may be able to sit it up on the center stand, but make the bike as steady as possible

 

Take a hunk of clean corrogated (box) cardboard and jam it between the brake pads while the wheel is out, it'll keep the caliper opened up.

With the bike on the centerstand, have a helper hold the back wheel against the ground. Once the front wheel is off, slide the axle back in and put a jackstand under it.

If you need to take the whole front end apart (like I'm about to do) put the jackstand under the front crosstube.

 

Thanks, that was simple enough...

Anyone have any good resources for tires? After the Harley shop laughed me out of there, I've been calling around and everyone says its a tough size to get, and expensive. 3.25-19.

 

Why on earth did you go to a Harley shop? Didn't you know its a crime to put anything Harley on a yamaha?

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that converts to a much more common 100/90-19 metric size.