tire removal

[jdgrego1_imp]

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!

[Rocky_imp]

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.

[Lord Popgun]

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.

[Jim21680_imp]

^That's exactly what I do......it works great. A spare scissor jack (or one from your car) is very convenient.

[jdgrego1_imp]

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 -

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!

^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!

[GoldOxide_imp]

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.

[redbirds_imp]

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.

[Houtman_imp]

Pit Bull front stand is the safest way to go if you work on the front wheel or front suspension.

[pekingduck]

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.

[jdgrego1_imp]

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-