This may seem like a silly question - but as my teenage son pointed out - unlike a bicycle when you need to change a tire one can't simply "just turn it upside down" to remove a tire- ... so I assume the rear tire can be removed by putting the bike on the center stand (maybe thats not a good assumption?) but how do you remove a front tire - I bought a sisor jack but do you do this with the bike on the center stand or do you do something else to stabilize the bike - thanks for any advise!
I have a small floor jack (2 ton) that I use under the engine of some of my bikes to raise the front wheel off the floor so I can spin it for cleaning or whatever.
The exhaust pipes on my '14 1100 are in the way so I can't use it.
The safer and more stable method I like better if I'm going to remove the front wheel entirely is a paddock stand that lifts and supports the forks and weight evenly.
The stand I have fits both of my Honda's as well as the Bonneville so it's very handy.
I put mine on the center stand and put a jack under the engine. A piece of wood between the engine and jack. I position so the wood doesn’t contact the headers and is on the ears sticking down. You can see them right down from the oil filter.
^That's exactly what I do......it works great. A spare scissor jack (or one from your car) is very convenient.
(11-10-2018, 02:50 AM)Rocky_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I have a small floor jack (2 ton) that I use under the engine of some of my bikes to raise the front wheel off the floor so I can spin it for cleaning or whatever.
The exhaust pipes on my '14 1100 are in the way so I can't use it.
The safer and more stable method I like better if I'm going to remove the front wheel entirely is a paddock stand that lifts and supports the forks and weight evenly.
The stand I have fits both of my Honda's as well as the Bonneville so it's very handy.
Thank you, I thought paddock stands were only for the rear- I will look into that further -
(11-10-2018, 02:53 AM)Lord Popgun_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I put mine on the center stand and put a jack under the engine. A piece of wood between the engine and jack. I position so the wood doesn’t contact the headers and is on the ears sticking down. You can see them right down from the oil filter.
Thanks, I have it on the center stand now and my jack arrived yesterday so I will give that a shot!
(11-10-2018, 05:25 AM)Jim21680_imp Wrote: [ -> ]^That's exactly what I do......it works great. A spare scissor jack (or one from your car) is very convenient.
I appreciate all the feedback, Thanks!
I didn't think of using a jack when I took the forks off. However, I did use the center stand and had all the work completed in an hour. I used a wood block to support the under frame.
If you have the SW Motech bars you can place an auto jackstand under each bar. I do this whenever removing the front wheel and it's rock solid and the bikes weight is supported by the frame.
Pit Bull front stand is the safest way to go if you work on the front wheel or front suspension.
In my earlier, impoverished days of yore, I had to fix a front tire that went flat overnight in the carport. No jack or jackstands, but my CB750 had a centerstand. Ended up backing up to a fence and got some nylon rope. A neighbor sat on the passenger seat enough to touch the rear wheel down, and I was able to tie the back end of the bike down to lift the front wheel.
(11-10-2018, 06:58 AM)redbirds_imp Wrote: [ -> ]If you have the SW Motech bars you can place an auto jackstand under each bar. I do this whenever removing the front wheel and it's rock solid and the bikes weight is supported by the frame.
What are these SW Motech bars you speak of? I went to their website but can’t see anything that looks like it could be used to lift the weight of the front end- thanks for further clarification-