Is the centerstand a reliable support for the bike while you service the relay arm pivots? What backup support can be used in case of centerstand failure?
Lubing relay arm pivots
- Thread starter Constant Mesh
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SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Centerstand failure? My friend you are over-thinking this. When have you EVER heard of a C-stand failure?
Ummm....I have.
I refound the discussion here. HOWEVER, it was only about 2003 and earlier models (North American year equivalent). Not 2004 on. I haven't heard of one since that discussion 6 years ago.So, I agree CM's over thinking the center stand durability issue. I'll reserve my opinion about the necessity of lubing relay arm pivot though ....and be reminded that you can't lube the pivot arm with the center stand attached anyway.
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The centerstand is NOT a reliable support for lubing the relay arm pivots. You have to remove it to lube the pivot arm.
I did mine a couple years ago and only used a floor jack to do this job. The centerstand has to come off to completely removed the relay arm, so I had to rely on the sidestand and the floor jack under the rear of the engine to support the bike. Just be sure to loosen all hardware while the bike is nice and stable before removing any parts. Don't want to forcefully wrench on a bolt while relying on the sidestand and floor jack to support the bike!
Also be fore-warned that Yamaha installed the right side centerstand bolt from the wrong direction. I used a cutoff wheel in my die grinder to cut it off and then made sure to install a new bolt in the other direction for easier removal in the future.
I'm sure someone will jump in to tell how they used a hoist or frame stand to do this job and I agree that it would be preferable, but my method got the job done.
Also be fore-warned that Yamaha installed the right side centerstand bolt from the wrong direction. I used a cutoff wheel in my die grinder to cut it off and then made sure to install a new bolt in the other direction for easier removal in the future.
I'm sure someone will jump in to tell how they used a hoist or frame stand to do this job and I agree that it would be preferable, but my method got the job done.
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Those well-known and documented failures were all of the part that sticks out that you use to operate the C-stand. There were no (that I am aware of) failures of the actual C-stand once it was up. You thilly boy, get back to work!Ummm....I have.
So, I agree CM's over thinking the center stand durability issue. I'll reserve my opinion about the necessity of lubing relay arm pivot though ....and be reminded that you can't lube the pivot arm with the center stand attached anyway.
Were these people hallucinating in the link then? :huh:
And this picture seems like a failure of the meaty part of the stand that keeps the bike from going boom....not just the appendage part.
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SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Damn! I guess I should have actually gone to the link and read that ****! :finger:
Well, anyways, as you said, those were all 2003 and earlier models. You *******.
Well, anyways, as you said, those were all 2003 and earlier models. You *******.
Smiling smooches homie....and another pic of a 2003 failure to rub it in.
I think us '04 and later folks have it pretty good.
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Read your factory service manual.
Having removed relay arms from 5 different FJR's, I have yet to find a way to remove it without removing the center stand first. While you might be able to grease things up a bit, there's no way to remove the bolt in order to inspect the bushing and bearings unless the center stand is absent.
Gen1 service manual - page 4-83, Gen11, page 4-87. (your page numbers may vary.)
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Yup, I recently did mine also - I used a come-along and some soft straps rigged from an A-frame to keep the rear up while I removed the C-stand to get the links out.
Colin24
IBA# 446
As mentioned, no. You need to remove the center stand support brackets to get the very front linkage out.
I've usually done this job as part of the overall winter maintenance. I remove the rear wheel, swingarm, then support the bike using about a half-dozen tiedowns from the ceiling. Once thats done I remove the centerstand and the rest of the linkages.
Note: In order to get the front linkage out you _do_ need to remove the centerstand brackets. The centerstand bolts to two brackets which are bolted to the frame. In order to get the brackets off you will find the exhaust is in the way. You may be able to flex the exhaust enough to get the last bolt out, but it is a PITA. I did that the first time or two I did the job. Eventually I just removed the exhaust and removed the bolt and turned it around so the nut was on the exhaust side of the bracket. Even had to find a nut that was a bit shallower than the stock nut. After that the job was much easier.
Its a good idea to service all of these linkages, even the front ones. They take alot of abuse down there at road level. In my case the one advantage of the 4-6 months of winter that we get in my neck of the woods means I have time to do this work. Every year I pull everything, clean all the bearings, regrease and reinstall. 110,000 miles later the original bearings still look good as new. (FWIW: I also remove, clean, regrease and reinstall the steering head bearings as well).
Hope this helps
Colin
road runner
Well-known member
Jeff F
Well-known member
Just yesterday 2 bikes were greased "down there" -- Rayzerman came over and using an overhead beam (intentionally exposed for this sort of thing) we attached 2 rachet straps 4 ft apart and cinched up the rear of the bikes by the grab rails. Front wheel in a chock and we were good to crank away.
EDIT: The bolts you have to cut are M10 - 1.25x30 (metric fine pitch). I found them @ Lowes.
EDIT: The bolts you have to cut are M10 - 1.25x30 (metric fine pitch). I found them @ Lowes.
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road runner
Well-known member
I wouldn't lift by the plastic grab rail, remove the seat and lift from the aluminum frame.
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