LM III Front Wheel Install - Tips and Tricks?

[jksymz75]

I've removed and reinstalled the front wheel several times on my '83 LM III but never without a lot of effort that usu ended up in marring the paint of the fork lowers somehow. I'm sure there's a trick to it but quick search of the board didn't turn up anything. I just recently got the lowers painted and they are pristine so before I go in there and install them again I'd love to know if you have a method you use that makes it easier.

Generally the problem is getting the tire through the threads that hold the fender.

Thanks in advance.

[JoeW]

Use masking tape or gaffes tape in the vulnerable areas. Deflate the tire too. NO DUCT TAPE!

[Matteo]

I concur, add lots of patience.

[mtiberio]

IIRC, there are studs in the forks, and then nuts. I think I removed the studs on my Lemans III forks, and used short bolts. I may have even thinned the heads on them or certainly smoothed them. Anything you can do to make the expression of the fender attachment fasteners less/wider will ease the wheel in. That plus you should be running a 100 tire, not 110...

[Stevex]

Never had a problem on my LM2, just remove the front 'guard first.

[mtiberio]

lemans two has a 195mm front end tire fitment is no issue, lemans one and lemans three have the narrow 180mm front ends. things are tighter...

[Stevex]

lemans two has a 195mm front end tire fitment is no issue, lemans one and lemans three have the narrow 180mm front ends. things are tighter...

Ahh, that explains a lot, but why did they go back to the narrow option on the 3?

[mtiberio]

I believe the narrow front end is lighter and stiffer. The Lemans II has the "touring" front end that it shares with the SP, and to some extent the T, T3, Convert, and G5. Plus with the heavier weight of the Lemans II fairings, perhaps they wanted to use a wider tire.

[jksymz75]

thanks all this is good info. I guess I'll be taping up the lowers, deflating the tire and using a ton of patience to guide the wheel into place.