I'm taking the wheels down to a dealership to have my new tires put on and balanced, but is there any maintenance I should get down while they're off?  Would it be easier to check the brakes now while the wheels were off?

maybe check swing arm play thats about the only thing i would think of checking while you have the wheels off that is a bit hard to do with the wheel on.

Make sure you don't use the brakes, they will be super hard to get back apart to reinstall the wheels.  Just a friendly tip.

make sure you pay attention to the washer placement on the rear wheel. there is micro fiche (bikebandit) if you aren't sure where / how it goes.

check your bearings while the wheels are off. you should be able to spin the inner race with your finger without feeling any crunchy stuff, and it should not spin the outer race at all (still in the wheel).

check your cush drive for play, check the rear cog for sharks tooth (wear).

check the front cog for the same thing.

check the splines on the output shaft (front cog) for wear, another member just found out his is toast.

check the chain for kinks and loose master links (another member ditto above).

check your clutch adjustment since the bike is up in the air already.

tighten all your spokes and make sure the nipples haven't frozen. (just checking everyone is paying attention and not skimming )

Quote from: ohgood on September 06, 2009, 04:04:55 PM
tighten all your spokes and make sure the nipples haven't frozen. (just checking everyone is paying attention and not skimming )

Huh wut?  Frozen nipples?

haha!  Pachman beat me to it!