Rear Wheel Removal

[Guest]

Forgive the potentially redundant question (I get an error when I try searching anything). What is the procedure for rear wheel removal on a 80 GS550L? Does the exhaust have to be dropped or can I jack up the rear wheel enough to get the axle out without having to drop the exhaust?

I have a Haynes manual for this bike but the rear wheel and chain adjustment section leaves A LOT to be desired.....like an actual description.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[tkent02]

Remove the shocks at the top. Lower the wheel and tire to the ground. There's enough space.

[Nitronate]

Remove the shocks at the top. Lower the wheel and tire to the ground. There's enough space.

I figured that may be the case but wanted to double check first. Thank you!

[Nitronate]

I do not have a 550. Have an 1100 and a 750. But I am curious rear wheel and chain adjustment you mention... does the axel have to be removed to remove rear wheel? No way to loosen axel nut and chain slack adjusters, slide wheel forward to allow chain to be rolled off of sprocket, then pull wheel back out of swing arm.

Well, that's a good question I suppose. But I need to replace the sprocket so I think it's going to have to come out.

What is the correct procedure to adjust that chain? I dont see a lot of info on that either. Looked on YouTube but the videos are a little sketchy.