Motorcycle Repair: yamaha (removing back tire), rubber mallet, yamaha maxim

Question
Falcon,

I followwed the instructions to remove the back tire on a (81 Yamaha Maxim xj650).  everything went fine except, the instructions say "push tire to the right and remove."  It seems to be frozen to the final gear box and will not come off.  I need to know if I am doing something wrong.

Answer
Hi Jay.

As long as there is nothing connected to the wheel then the wheel should come right off.

What you may try is to use a rubber mallet and tap the wheel in the direction that it must move.  Just hit it a few times along the rim as you turn the wheel.  It should come off.

If the wheel hasn't been removed in a year or more then it could very well be stuck, especially if it wasn't greased up when it was last installed.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON