New Tires - how easy is it to remove wheels?

I'm looking to replace the tires on my 700 Maxim X 1985.

How easy is it to remove the wheels, especially the rear wheel? Is it easier/more economical to remove the wheels and bring them somewhere to be mounted? I already ordered the tires.

Any advice?

 

It's not hard. There are how-tos and the manual is pretty good about explaining it as well. Be prepared because everyplace that sells tires will charge you much more to mount and balance if you don't buy the tires from them. I think I paid 80-some bucks for the pair, and I brought wheels and new tires to them.

 

It's much easier if you take the wheels in. I have had to fix screw-ups from shops not knowing how to re-fit the wheels properly.

Mounting and balancing tires is not a difficult job. The tools and equipment you'll need don't cost more than one shop-charge for a mount and balance.
Do it yourself and you can save your money for other things.

 

a lot of shops will not mount tires you did not buy from them.
I found a guy who mounts and balances for 10$ a tire.

 

I do my own, precisely because the only dealership within 100 miles charges too much for tires, and charges $50 a tire to mount and balance if you bring tires in.
They also changed their policy from, "We can order in anything you want" to, "This is all we carry. No custom orders."

 

Is there any information on removing the rear wheel online? I don't have a detailed repair manual for the bike right now.

 

Simple.

Put the bike on the centerstand.

Remove the cotter pin from the nut on the left side of the axle (thow it away, you will put a new on in).

Remove the big nut.

Undo the pinch bolt on the right side of the axle.

Unscrew and remove the brake adjusting nut from the brake rod.

Remove the cotter pin, and remove the nut from the brake stay rod (on the lower half of the brake drum). Pull the brake stay rod away from the drum and let it rest on the ground.

Use a punch, phillips screwdriver, or length of steel rod though the hole on the right side of the axle to twist and pull the axle out of the bore.

Use a rubber mallet, or the heel of your hand on the left side of the tire to help walk the wheeel to the right, and off of the drive splines (typically the grease will have hardened, making removal a bit difficult). Alternately pull the wheel to the right.

Roll the whel and tire to the rear in order to clear the fender (I find that airing down the tire helps it clear).

Reinstalling is the reverse of removal, but you'll need a torque wrench. I can look up values for you later on as I don't hace my manual handy.

 

This tutorial is actually how to replace the rear brake shoes, which you should think about anyway since you're already taking rear wheel off. See here: SAFETY ALERT Drum rear brake bike owners please take a look


Starts out with a very good tutorial with pictures how to remove rear wheel.
http://www.xj4ever.com/rear drum brakes.pdf

 

save the cotter pin untill you get to the hardware store to match it up

 

Best deal ever on cotter pins
Garage sale last summer. $2.00