'06 Front Wheel Removal

[sierrabus]

Just thinking ahead about tire changes. Noticed that up on the center stand the front wheel/tire rests firmly on the floor.

Being unfamiliar with center stands, wonder what best method would be to get the front end sufficiently off the floor to remove wheel.

Would appreciate any thoughts. And if this has been already covered, my apologies.

 

[SkooterG]

Welcome to the forum Sierrabus!

I know of three ways. You can get a somewhat expensive but nifty Pitbull stand:

Or, you can use a hydraulic jack. Place a 2X4 between the jack and the headers and lift.

And finally, some have built a front end stand: Clicky Here

 

[Geezer]

Lots of options here. If you are removing only the front wheel you can have someone sit on the back of the seat while you remove the front wheel, then put some boards under the fork ends while you replace the tire.

Normally I place a scissor jack under the exhaust pipes as far forward as possible. I put a board and a rag over the jack to protect the pipes.

If I am replacing both tires at the same time I put a board under the center stand to give me extra clearance for the back tire, and I use the scissor jack to get both wheels off the ground.

 

[JimLor]

Sierrabus - took my front wheel off for the first time about two months ago. I used the floor jack/2x4 under the headers method. I also put some weight on the rear of the bike to help out. Worked just fine! Good luck.

 

[pawtracks]

Plenty of pictures of my bike with both wheels off here

Two fence planks under the center stand just make it easier to get the back wheel off.

I use a home built front end stand and a pair of jack stands.

Bike is light enough when on the center stand to lift up the front while taking the front tire off and sliding a jack stand under each fork with my foot.

Then I tie off the bike to the front end stand for extra insurance.

 

[mindtrip]

I have a motorcycle floor jack that worked very well on my old T'bird, but now want to use it on the FJR. I've seen the pic where someone made a 2x4 with two end 'prongs' so as to avoid putting pressure on the headers, but it looked kind of shakey to me. Any suggestions on using a motorcycle jack? Can you lift the bike with the headers? I know this is how Buell designs their header/pipe on the XB series, but am nervous about jacking a ~650 lb bike on the headers.... :blink:

 

[Groo]

I have a motorcycle floor jack that worked very well on my old T'bird, but now want to use it on the FJR. I've seen the pic where someone made a 2x4 with two end 'prongs' so as to avoid putting pressure on the headers, but it looked kind of shakey to me. Any suggestions on using a motorcycle jack? Can you lift the bike with the headers? I know this is how Buell designs their header/pipe on the XB series, but am nervous about jacking a ~650 lb bike on the headers.... :blink:

I made one of the 2x4 with prongs... it works, but really isn't all that much better than raising on the headers. I had mine on the headers for about a week recently... none the worse for wear... no signs of any effect.

 

[SkooterG]

Any suggestions on using a motorcycle jack? Can you lift the bike with the headers?

Uh.....yes.

Read the first couple posts..........

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

I have a motorcycle floor jack that worked very well on my old T'bird, but now want to use it on the FJR. I've seen the pic where someone made a 2x4 with two end 'prongs' so as to avoid putting pressure on the headers, but it looked kind of shakey to me. Any suggestions on using a motorcycle jack? Can you lift the bike with the headers? I know this is how Buell designs their header/pipe on the XB series, but am nervous about jacking a ~650 lb bike on the headers.... :blink:

You’re not lifting the full weight of the bike; the center stand is doing almost all of that. You are lifting a little over a hundred pounds. If you sit on the rear seat, you'll accomplish the same thing.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

And in case you have no Pit Bull stand, no floor jack, don't want to build a front stand. no one around to lower the rear end... a couple bags of the wifes' potting soil / mulch on the rear seat will raise the front or a ratchet strap from the rack to the bottom of the garage door will do the same. ( make sure you pull the " red handled rip cord " to disconnect the garage door from opening. )

 

[sierrabus]

Thanks for the welcome!

And thanks all for the helpful replies. They all make it look easy.

Regards

 

[daviddowns2000]

And in case you have no Pit Bull stand, no floor jack, don't want to build a front stand. no one around to lower the rear end... a couple bags of the wifes' potting soil / mulch on the rear seat will raise the front or a ratchet strap from the rack to the bottom of the garage door will do the same. ( make sure you pull the " red handled rip cord " to disconnect the garage door from opening. )

Or look in the trunk of your car for your scissor jack...mine works fine with a board under the headers.

 

[mindtrip]

I have a motorcycle floor jack that worked very well on my old T'bird, but now want to use it on the FJR. I've seen the pic where someone made a 2x4 with two end 'prongs' so as to avoid putting pressure on the headers, but it looked kind of shakey to me. Any suggestions on using a motorcycle jack? Can you lift the bike with the headers? I know this is how Buell designs their header/pipe on the XB series, but am nervous about jacking a ~650 lb bike on the headers.... :blink:

You’re not lifting the full weight of the bike; the center stand is doing almost all of that. You are lifting a little over a hundred pounds. If you sit on the rear seat, you'll accomplish the same thing.

Scooter, take note--this was my interpretation ofthe first couple of posts as well; ie, you're still putting the bike on the center stand, but just lifting the front with the jack. However, Joe, this is NOT what I'm asking. I want to know if I can simply jack the entire bike off the ground with a motorcycle jack by using the headers as a lift point. I already figured that it wouldn't be a big deal to shift the weight to the rear wheel by jacking the headers with the bike on the center stand; hell, for that matter I could just cut a 2x4 long enough to go between the floor and the front of the engine when i'm lifting the front of the bike. But I want to be able to jack the bike off the ground entirely with a jack--can I use the headers for that??

BTW, for those with '06's -- a couple of bags of potting soil on the tail does not appear to be enough weight to shift the bike's weight to the rear wheel. I think this has to do with the re-designed center stand.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

However, Joe, this is NOT what I'm asking. I want to know if I can simply jack the entire bike off the ground with a motorcycle jack by using the headers as a lift point.

My mistake.

 

[SkooterG]

However, Joe, this is NOT what I'm asking. I want to know if I can simply jack the entire bike off the ground with a motorcycle jack by using the headers as a lift point.

My mistake.

Mine too. Be more pacific for crying out loud!!!!

:****:

There is no way in H - E - Double hockey stick, that I would try to lift the whole FJR by just the headers. I would however, love to watch you try said procedure. :lol:

 

[JimLor]

My mistake too. I'd like to see it myself.

 

[daviddowns2000]

Someone worked this out for the SV650 but it does require welding. Check out https://svrider.com/

Near the top of the screen, select "TIPS 'N TRICKS", then scroll down to "STANDS:...", then select "Using a hydraulic jack...".

Something similar should be do-able for the FJR, might come in handy for something.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I use my sears motorcylce jack. These are excellent and rated #1 by MCN for this kind of jack. Just push it under and jack it up. Also can be locked at different heights just incase. $89 at sale price. They also make an aluminum model. About $170. I use this on my cruiser, dirt bikes FJR etc. Can't remember the weight capacity though. I know its 1000#'s, maybe 1500#'s max

 

[mindtrip]

Someone worked this out for the SV650 but it does require welding. Check out https://svrider.com/ Near the top of the screen, select "TIPS 'N TRICKS", then scroll down to "STANDS:...", then select "Using a hydraulic jack...".

Something similar should be do-able for the FJR, might come in handy for something.

David--thanks for the link! This is a great idea, and a chance to practice welding stuff. THIS is the kind of help I was looking for. Buell did it right by making the headers a jack point, I wish Yamaha did the same if they insist on running the pipes under the engine; but if I can fabricate something to do the trick that'll be good enough for me.

I use my sears motorcylce jack. These are excellent and rated #1 by MCN for this kind of jack. Just push it under and jack it up. Also can be locked at different heights just incase. $89 at sale price. They also make an aluminum model. About $170. I use this on my cruiser, dirt bikes FJR etc. Can't remember the weight capacity though. I know its 1000#'s, maybe 1500#'s max

My jack is very similar to this, and yes, it works great. Have you used it to jack up your FJR? If so, do you simply place the jack on the pipes/headers that run under the engine? See, that's my question--can you use the headers as a jack point. Have you done this, or did you make some kind of adapter so that you're only jacking on the engine, not the pipes?