Classic & Vintage - How do I get the front wheel off this Triumph?

Hey guys,

I'm new here :thumb: and from the UK, so sorry if it's a dumb question. I've had a look on the Search feature, and the forum and can't seem to find much, maybe I am looking in the wrong places.... Google also only seems to tell me about the newer system where you have a lever to remove the front wheel easily.

I have an old Triumph 20 - don't know much more than that, it has been sitting in our garage for quite some years and was from a charity shop (thrift store).

I purchased some tyres for it, and have gotten the two nuts and washers off the axle, but can't seem to get the wheel out. If you can help, or link me to the right pages, that would be great :)

Please see the picture below:
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7718/p1090247r.th.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/p1090247r.jpg/)

Many thanks for your help :)
Dan.

p.s. the axle/wheel refuses to slide out of the U shape, as common sense would tell me....:(

Spread the fork blades a little bit, the axle will then drop out. It can be a bit of a pain, until you see how it fits in.

ill give that a go, i didn't want to force it just in case of damage.

Thanks, will get back to you on it :)

I misunderstood you, and thought you meant pry the forks apart... which worked .... it was because the wheel swings on an axle, which the ends have a little round bit coming outwhich was locked into the U shape of the forks..... the U shape is for the long threaded bar that the nuts screw onto to slide out... but the thing the wheel swings on has a protruding round bit which slots into the bottom of the U shape and refused to come out without the forks being pryed apart...

Thank you for your help :) Going to see if i can sort out a tyre change now :)

If it is what I think it is, most English Raleigh 3 speed bikes had the same issue. You could remove the axle nuts and washers and the wheel would not come out. You would have to use a screwdriver blade in between the inside of the fork blade and the axle to drop the wheel out. Kind of a safety feature.

Jacksbike,
That sounds like exactly the issue, it had me confused for a bit... but on second thought, it seemed like a good idea after I'd put it back again... imagine your nut and washer went walkies... the wheel would still be there... and I imagine it's a wise idea to check your bike periodically anyway for problems arising.. and then you'd spot the missing bits.

Problem solved ( G*d I luv this forum).