Supporting Your Bike While Servicing: Difference between revisions
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'''1)''' If you need to work on the forks, you will have to prop the engine. Of course, you will have to remove the lower fairing for that to work. Be sure to put the bike on the centerstand to reduce the weight on the exhaust headers and make the bike stable enough so it won't fall over. Examples: | '''1)''' If you need to work on the forks, you will have to prop the engine. Of course, you will have to remove the lower fairing for that to work. Be sure to put the bike on the centerstand to reduce the weight on the exhaust headers and make the bike stable enough so it won't fall over. Examples: | ||
[[Image:FrontEndSupport1.jpg | | [[Image:FrontEndSupport1.jpg | 150px]] | ||
[[Image:FrontEndSupport2.jpg | | [[Image:FrontEndSupport2.jpg | 150px]] | ||
[[Image:Front wheel support.jpg | | [[Image:Front wheel support.jpg | 150px]] | ||
[[image:688890.jpg| | [[image:688890.jpg|150px]] | ||
You can also prop the engine with a jack or jackstand (which goes under the oil drain bolt). <b>This method is less stable</b>, but allows you to raise or lower the front end smoothly, and with some jacks there is no need to remove the lower fairing. | You can also prop the engine with a jack or jackstand (which goes under the oil drain bolt). <b>This method is less stable</b>, but allows you to raise or lower the front end smoothly, and with some jacks there is no need to remove the lower fairing. | ||
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If you're buying a stand, the kind that supports the bike under the triple tree is more useful than the kind that goes under the forks: | If you're buying a stand, the kind that supports the bike under the triple tree is more useful than the kind that goes under the forks: | ||
[[Image:Fork seals2-2.JPG| | [[Image:Fork seals2-2.JPG|150px]] | ||
[[image:100_1393.jpg| | [[image:100_1393.jpg|150px]] | ||
'''3a)''' If you have access to an overhead beam, a ratcheting tie-down (with a large ratchet mechanism) can be strung between the top triple clamp and the beam (or two beams - see picture below). Run your strap under one side of the triple, around the rear of the steering stem, then under the triple on the other side and back up to the rafter. Make sure it pulls evenly on both sides of the triple. | '''3a)''' If you have access to an overhead beam, a ratcheting tie-down (with a large ratchet mechanism) can be strung between the top triple clamp and the beam (or two beams - see picture below). Run your strap under one side of the triple, around the rear of the steering stem, then under the triple on the other side and back up to the rafter. Make sure it pulls evenly on both sides of the triple. | ||
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You don't need to disassemble anything for this option; it doesn't pinch or touch anything important, and it's fast. It's as stable as it gets when suspending a bike like this and on the center stand (meaning the front end swings a bit). Make sure you loosen any bolts while the front end is still on the ground. If your bike doesn't have a centerstand, you have to also use a rear stand. | You don't need to disassemble anything for this option; it doesn't pinch or touch anything important, and it's fast. It's as stable as it gets when suspending a bike like this and on the center stand (meaning the front end swings a bit). Make sure you loosen any bolts while the front end is still on the ground. If your bike doesn't have a centerstand, you have to also use a rear stand. | ||
[[image:IMG_2358.JPG| | [[image:IMG_2358.JPG|150px]] | ||
[[image:IMG_2354-2.JPG| | [[image:IMG_2354-2.JPG|90px]] | ||
'''4)''' If you just need to take the front wheel off, you can: | '''4)''' If you just need to take the front wheel off, you can: | ||