Jack Under Pipe Header To Lift Front End?

[roggiedog]

I took my bike to a motorcycle tire place to have the front tire replaced. I've seen the setups that some people have to lift the front end using a hoist type from the top lifting the bike up. But when the guy put a jack underneath where the headers are I asked him about it. He said that as thick as the headers are there is no problem at all jacking the front from underneath. What do you guys think of jacking the bike up like that?

 

[zenwhipper]

Perhaps if he spread the load with a 2x6 across the pipes before the jack made contact I may be OK with it. I guess I have to ask... with what he did... was there any damage done? :dntknw:

Scott

 

[lharrell79]

That's how I change my front. Put it on the center stand, and the jack has a rubber pad that goes seats on the 2 and 3 header pipes. Works like a charm.

On sport bikes, I've always done the same thing, but put the kickstand down since there is no center stand.

Lucas

 

[03silverbullet]

I took my bike to a motorcycle tire place to have the front tire replaced. I've seen the setups that some people have to lift the front end using a hoist type from the top lifting the bike up. But when the guy put a jack underneath where the headers are I asked him about it. He said that as thick as the headers are there is no problem at all jacking the front from underneath. What do you guys think of jacking the bike up like that?

I do that all the time. As long as the weight is spread out, like using a long piece of wood - should be no problem.

 

[Greb]

I use a Sears Craftsman lift to raise the bike by the header on a regular basis. I wouldn't worry about it

 

[wheatonFJR]

I took my bike to a motorcycle tire place to have the front tire replaced. I've seen the setups that some people have to lift the front end using a hoist type from the top lifting the bike up. But when the guy put a jack underneath where the headers are I asked him about it. He said that as thick as the headers are there is no problem at all jacking the front from underneath. What do you guys think of jacking the bike up like that?

Oh, I don't know...

 

[wfooshee]

Don't even have to remove any bodywork to get the jack under there.

That little jack is a hydraulic scissor jack. Perfect because unlike the floor jack most have, it doesn't need to move as it lifts, and it's faster than a simple piston jack.

 

[roggiedog]

Excellent! Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen. Now I can start taking the tire off myself and get it changed.

 

[TomInPA]

Did this just the other day. Changed out the front tire using a standard ATV motorcycle jack. Works like a charm.

The best part is, after changing the back tire today, I have new tires front and rear. Tire cord is not the best thing to see when you are 168 miles from home. like yesterday.

 

[redtail]

I just added a couple pieces ( as seen on this forum ) so that the board only touches hard parts of the bike. Then my small floor jack lifts her up pretty as you please! Might be overkill, but was too easy to do.

 

[FJR Flyer]

I just added a couple pieces ( as seen on this forum ) so that the board only touches hard parts of the bike. Then my small floor jack lifts her up pretty as you please! Might be overkill, but was too easy to do.

+1 I made one of these. Use it every time.

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

I just added a couple pieces ( as seen on this forum ) so that the board only touches hard parts of the bike. Then my small floor jack lifts her up pretty as you please! Might be overkill, but was too easy to do.

+1 I made one of these. Use it every time.

Same thing. So simple to make, and works perfectly. Peace of mind. I use it every time, then put jack stands under the fork legs. I store it for the winter like that.

 

[dannymax]

I just added a couple pieces ( as seen on this forum ) so that the board only touches hard parts of the bike. Then my small floor jack lifts her up pretty as you please! Might be overkill, but was too easy to do.

+1 I made one of these. Use it every time.

Same thing. So simple to make, and works perfectly. Peace of mind. I use it every time, then put jack stands under the fork legs. I store it for the winter like that.

+1

Even though it takes very little jacking force to lift the front wheel with the bike on the centerstand (pulling down on the luggage rack will actually do it) I can't live with jacking on the headers....not that they won't take it, they will, I just prefer to transfer any stresses to more solid parts.

 

[fjrrider]

I took my bike to a motorcycle tire place to have the front tire replaced. I've seen the setups that some people have to lift the front end using a hoist type from the top lifting the bike up. But when the guy put a jack underneath where the headers are I asked him about it. He said that as thick as the headers are there is no problem at all jacking the front from underneath. What do you guys think of jacking the bike up like that?

Oh, I don't know...

Ok I know your an engineer and all, but whats the bucket under the forks for....is this more than just a tire change?

Always looking to learn somethin new from an old pro! :lol:

 

[maddad]

Don't really need the jack and I don't like using the Jack because I don't find them that stable. Also want to make sure you don't jack it up off the center stand and knock your bike over.

Simpler is to just have it on the center stand, have the right size boards, have someone press down on the reat seat, up comes the front and you can slide those boards right in.

 

[wheatonFJR]

...whats the bucket under the forks for....is this more than just a tire change?

...

I had to take my calipers off to work at cleaning the caliper pistons, and replace the piston seals. The bucket is just there to catch some extraneous brake fluid seeping past the banjo bolts at both lines...

...btw, <back on topic> I would rather use a pipe stand than a jack under the headers, due to the less stable nature of the jack/center stand supports being so close together.

 

[wfooshee]

Don't really need the jack and I don't like using the Jack because I don't find them that stable. Also want to make sure you don't jack it up off the center stand and knock your bike over.

Simpler is to just have it on the center stand, have the right size boards, have someone press down on the reat seat, up comes the front and you can slide those boards right in.

The jack won't lift it off the centerstand unless you just try to lift it to the roof. Watch the rear wheel, don't let it touch down, and jacking under the headers is fine.

 

[Spud]

I use a ladder and tie-downs.

 

[Greb]

That is cool! made me think of this