Decided since the weather is crappy, I'd pull the front wheel. My tire is so dry rotted you can nearly see the tube. I have a spare already, so, why not?

Some observations on dropping the front wheel:
1- As long as the axle threads were oiled/greased on install, no worries.
2- You don't need a bike lift or milk carton, just an extra body.
3- The bike will stand up just fine on the exhaust and front fork lowers.
4- Wheel spacers bounce. Make sure you mark which is which BEFORE you pull the axle out...
5- The factory sealed bearings...aren't very high quality. Bike shop they are $14 each, Lowes hardware, $6 each. Bearing number 6302...happy hunting, they are pretty common and go out of stock quickly.

All that wondering and worrying for nothing. At least I'll have good tires for the Ash Run June 12th...and if I can remember how to drop it out, new brakes on the rear at least. I think mine are down to the backing shoes...7 years is good enough, I guess...
-WD