Supporting Your Bike While Servicing: Difference between revisions
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=={alternate title: How to support a bike while servicing}== | =={alternate title: How to support a bike while servicing <or> Supporting your bike while servicing}== | ||
Though covered in the service manual, many people use creative methods to support a bike while servicing it. This often results in tip-over accidents. Below we list methods that are proven to work. And also ones that aren't. | Though covered in the service manual, many people use creative methods to support a bike while servicing it. This often results in tip-over accidents. Below we list methods that are proven to work. And also ones that aren't. | ||
==== Disconnecting the Battery ==== | ==== Disconnecting the Battery ==== | ||
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* Unscrew the bolt on the Negative (-) terminal of the battery. Push the wire aside, screw the bolt back in (this way it won't get lost). | * Unscrew the bolt on the Negative (-) terminal of the battery. Push the wire aside, screw the bolt back in (this way it won't get lost). | ||
* Put a piece of duct/scotch tape on the terminal. | * Put a piece of duct/scotch tape on the terminal. | ||
==== Supporting the Rear End ==== | ==== Supporting the Rear End ==== | ||
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A few comments about using the centerstand: | A few comments about using the centerstand: | ||
* Some services require pushing the rear tire inwards. This can easily result in collapsing of the centerstand and subsequent tip-over. Always block the front tire from moving with a brick or something to prevent such accidents. | * Some services require pushing the rear tire inwards. This can easily result in collapsing of the centerstand and subsequent tip-over. Always block the front tire from moving with a brick or something similar to prevent such accidents. | ||
* If you need to raise the rear end more than the centerstand does, just put a wooden board in front of the rear tire before putting the bike on the centerstand. In this case blocking the front tire well is vital, since the nose of the bike is pointing down and it's very easy to rock the bike off the centerstand. | * If you need to raise the rear end more than the centerstand does, just put a wooden board in front of the rear tire before putting the bike on the centerstand. This will wind up under your centerstand when you put it down, effectively making the centerstand longer. In this case blocking the front tire well is vital, since the nose of the bike is pointing down, and it's very easy to rock the bike off the centerstand. | ||
{This part is not as clear as it could be. I had to read it a couple times before I understood that you were supposed to use the board to make the centerstand higher.} | {This part is not as clear as it could be. I had to read it a couple times before I understood that you were supposed to use the board to make the centerstand higher. I added a little.} | ||
* Unfortunately, a bike on the centerstand is not stable enough side-to-side. If you are doing something that requires brute force (such as removing the axle nut), be very careful, as you can literally twist the bike into the ground. Having another person holding the bike is very useful in this situation. | * Unfortunately, a bike on the centerstand is not stable enough side-to-side. If you are doing something that requires brute force (such as removing the axle nut), be very careful, as you can literally twist the bike into the ground. Having another person holding the bike is very useful in this situation. | ||
* Finally, the centerstand is best used on a flat, sturdy surface. If you have trouble putting your bike on the centerstand, visit [[I am having trouble putting my bike on its centerstand... | this link]]. | * Finally, the centerstand is best used on a flat, sturdy surface. If you have trouble putting your bike on the centerstand, visit [[I am having trouble putting my bike on its centerstand... | this link]]. | ||
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http://www.pit-bull.com/catalog/images/lg_ss_rear2.jpg | http://www.pit-bull.com/catalog/images/lg_ss_rear2.jpg | ||
==== Supporting the Front End ==== | ==== Supporting the Front End ==== | ||
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The obvious downside is that this is <b>not very stable</b>. <b>Taking off both wheels</b> with the front end supported in such a way is <b>not recommended</b>. However, you don't need to take off any fairings for this method to work. | The obvious downside is that this is <b>not very stable</b>. <b>Taking off both wheels</b> with the front end supported in such a way is <b>not recommended</b>. However, you don't need to take off any fairings for this method to work. | ||
==== Working on the Engine ==== | ==== Working on the Engine ==== | ||
If you plan to work on the engine, | If you plan to work on the engine, you should get [[I want an engine stand for my 250|an engine stand]]. | ||
==== Common Mistakes ==== | ==== Common Mistakes ==== | ||