Lubricating Chain Without Center Stand?

emptysea

emptysea

Road warrior
Thread starter
This question is not really about our CB (unless you've removed the center stand on yours).... Any tips on how to make chain cleaning/lubing easier on a bike with no center stand?
 
1. Buy a centerstand so you can rotate the rear wheel
2. Buy a paddock stand so you can rotate the rear wheel
3. Push the bike forward and back so you can rotate the rear wheel
4. Neglect it

My Ducati doesn't have a centerstand and it's unlikely I'll spend the money to buy a paddock stand for it. Fortunately, the bike is easy to push around (375 lbs.), but cleaning and lubing the chain that way is a pain.
 
I used to own a few bikes without center stands (and didn't like it much). This was back before the sealed o-ring chains, when chains required a lot more maintenance than they do today.

If the bike was in the garage, I had a lightweight floor jack that I could use to raise the back of the bike. For lubing on the road, there wasn't much choice but to roll, spray, roll, spray...
 
Thread starter
Hmmm..maybe a jack would be the solution. I wonder if I could use a scissor jack from one of my cars
 
EmptySea_imp said:
Hmmm..maybe a jack would be the solution. I wonder if I could use a scissor jack from one of my cars
Click to expand...
Might work with a piece of 2x4 under the center of the swingarm, but you'd need a way to stabilize the front end I would think.
 
Thread starter
The ferret_imp said:
EmptySea_imp said:
Hmmm..maybe a jack would be the solution. I wonder if I could use a scissor jack from one of my cars
Click to expand...
Might work with a piece of 2x4 under the center of the swingarm, but you'd need a way to stabilize the front end I would think.
Click to expand...
Might work with a piece of 2x4 under the center of the swingarm, but you'd need a way to stabilize the front end I would think.
Good point..
 
Use the bottom part of an aluminum crutch. The part with the clicker on it?
I put Velcro or a cat collar real tight on the front brake lever. Pull the bike over on it's side stand just a little bit then use what's left of the crutch to jack the bike up. Adjust clicker as needed. Either on a peg or the swing arm or the axle nut.
It works great
 
Without a centerstand, if you have a friend, one person leans the bike on the center stand while another spins the rear wheel and lubes the chain..

If you have access to car jacks, mount some rear spools (cheap) and you can put the bike on the car jacks on the spools (usually best with a friend), using the method above by leaning it on the side side and pop on side on then the other. With practice you can do it your self.. You can also use a milk crate too if it won't hit the exhaust (but milk crates will break after a bit)

https://www.revzilla.com/blog_content_image/image/12740/gallery/tirechange1.jpg

Another option is to look for an off road alternate side stand. In off roading you get flats.. I carry a home made stand for the other side. I have a stand with multiple holes and a cottor pin for adjustable lengths and it has a sturdy foot.. I lean the bike on the side stand and put the the stand under the bike so it sits up right so I can take either wheel off to patch it.. I carry it in my tail bag.. I can take a pic of you want

Scroll down a bit on this link to see the bike with the rear off

http://www.dualsportbc.com/forums/showthread.php?7761-Bead-breaking-with-just-tire-levers
 
Dunno about others, but the link was blocked for me.
 
Thread starter
Links worked for me. and is helpful. however, since the only thing I'm doing is lubing the chain (my dealer does all the service work) I'm trying to avoid purchasing specialized equipment for the task. That said, maybe it's easier to buy the correct tools for the job.
 
I would have thought a paddock stand is the sensible answer if you are going to want to level the bike from time to time.
 
aschem_imp said:
Automatic oilers

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Other methods
RX Cleaner Degreaser | Hardline Products Inc.
http://thesnapjack.com/index.html
http://www.packjack.ca/contact.php
Click to expand...
I like the snap jack.. if that have been around when I got my homemade one, I'd of grabbed it.. seems far easier

I get not wanting extra stuff, but you could store it at home and use it only when needed. Or on a trip You gotta pack stuff anyway and it wouldn't take up much space
 
I removed my center stand when I installed my yoshi system even though it came with the correct hardware to retain it I wanted to help shed a couple pounds and get the big ugly thing off the bottom of my bike so then I searched craigslist for a couple weeks and bought a used rear wheel stand for only $40 works perfect for chain maintenance, oil changes and detailing my bike in fact I got it so cheap I ended up surfing the list again and bought another one for $20 for my other bikes seems like alot of guys end up having them after selling there bikes and you can get them used for a super good price!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 
Arctic cb1100_imp said:
I removed my center stand when I installed my yoshi system even though it came with the correct hardware to retain it I wanted to help shed a couple pounds and get the big ugly thing off the bottom of my bike so then I searched craigslist for a couple weeks and bought a used rear wheel stand for only $40 works perfect for chain maintenance, oil changes and detailing my bike in fact I got it so cheap I ended up surfing the list again and bought another one for $20 for my other bikes seems like alot of guys end up having them after selling there bikes and you can get them used for a super good price!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
True, I picked up 2 pitbulls that way.. They are awesome, but on a trip after being caught in the rain, it won't help with chain maintence away from home
 
good point! I didn't consider that idea but as much grief as I get from friends and coworkers my cb has 3500mi on it and three seasons and she's never been ridden in the rain or even gotten wet before. It only comes out on sunny dry days I ride my old kz650 if the weather is questionable!
 
EmptySea_imp said:
Hmmm..maybe a jack would be the solution. I wonder if I could use a scissor jack from one of my cars
Click to expand...
If it's one of those with a wide base, it might work. My floor jack has a very wide base that kept the bike quite stable once it was up.

Since it's just for lubing the chain, sounds like a rear wheel stand might be a lot less trouble.
 
Arctic cb1100_imp said:
good point! I didn't consider that idea but as much grief as I get from friends and coworkers my cb has 3500mi on it and three seasons and she's never been ridden in the rain or even gotten wet before. It only comes out on sunny dry days I ride my old kz650 if the weather is questionable!
Click to expand...

Lol I've ridden my CB over 2000 miles so far this month, got caught in the rain numerous times and a hail storm once. I had to lube my chain on the Colorado trip (seems I end up lubing it once every trip). Centerstands come in handy for that.

My Bonneville didn't come with a center stand. What a pain. I used a Sears floor jack to jack it up for maintenance. Sold the bike to my brother and he immediately bought the optional center stand for it. I don't think I will ever own another bike without a centerstand.
 
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