Using a cinder block to prop up your bike

[keithaba]

Quick question. Does it matter which way you orient the cinder block? I'm going to be pulling tires, and wanted to jack it up, then slide the cinder under with a 2X4 piece across as I bring her down.

1.

2.

This will work right? I'm a little nervous about doing something I've never done before....

 

[Capt. Bob]

Quick question. Does it matter which way you orient the cinder block? I'm going to be pulling tires, and wanted to jack it up, then slide the cinder under with a 2X4 piece across as I bring her down.
1.

2.

This will work right? I'm a little nervous about doing something I've never done before....

Concrete works well in compression but rather poorly in tension (unless re-enforced with steel). With the cells facing out, the walls act in tension to the load on the top.

I would set the block as shown as it rests on the grass. After all, that's how they are laid.

 

[twowheelnut]

Cinder blocks are for front yard Chevys, no?

 

[Bustanut joker]

Well maybe' on the west coast! where the poor are richer, cinder blocks are the accepted means, but here, in the rust. belt we prefer" four by fours. Stacked

Oh! I thought it was punctuation Friday and didn't want my sentence to run on.

:jester:

 

[radman]

Having seen your place, I would figger you had the block thing down..............

 

[El Gordo]

Bustanut, out here on this west coast island, cinderblocks are expensive when you can get them. So we only use them indoors for making beautiful shelving units.

For long term, front yard vehicle repairs we use tree stumps. Which are plentiful & practical 'cause they can be cut long enough for even the most jacked-up Chevy 4X4s.

 

[sonicspeed]

Quick question. Does it matter which way you orient the cinder block? I'm going to be pulling tires, and wanted to jack it up, then slide the cinder under with a 2X4 piece across as I bring her down.




This will work right? I'm a little nervous about doing something I've never done before....

Concrete works well in compression but rather poorly in tension (unless re-enforced with steel). With the cells facing out, the walls act in tension to the load on the top.

I would set the block as shown as it rests on the grass. After all, that's how they are laid.

you are correct

always use a concrete block with the holes up

 

[Bull]

I know you'll probably perform the work indoors, but just in case....

I wouldn't leave the bike on the block - on the grass. (since it might compress the soil then topple)

probably advice not needed - but you never know!

 

[Bustanut joker]

Bustanut, out here on this west coast island, cinderblocks are expensive when you can get them. So we only use them indoors for making beautiful shelving units.
For long term, front yard vehicle repairs we use tree stumps. Which are plentiful & practical 'cause they can be cut long enough for even the most jacked-up Chevy 4X4s.

Gordo,

:lol2: :lol2: :good: Oh man :haha: I wish I could find the picture from the wild and crazy single days. I actually had an entertainment stand with red and blue painted cinder block supporting dark walnut stained pine planks.

What was with that nasty assed dark wood back then :dribble:

:jester:

 

[Scab]

You know, if you have a floor jack, I have a neat little proceedure to remove both wheels and very little else...

 

[MrTwisty]

You know, if you have a floor jack, I have a neat little proceedure to remove both wheels and very little else...

Yep, center stand to hold the rear wheel up and a floor jack for the front. I used a short 2x4 between the floor jack and the headers. Since only the front of the bike is being supported, the headers are pleanty strong..............just don't sit on the bike while the jack is under it...............you never know.

 

[Fred W]

You know, if you have a floor jack, I have a neat little proceedure to remove both wheels and very little else...

Yep, center stand to hold the rear wheel up and a floor jack for the front. I used a short 2x4 between the floor jack and the headers. Since only the front of the bike is being supported, the headers are pleanty strong..............just don't sit on the bike while the jack is under it...............you never know.

Visualizing Jimbob, home mechanic sitting on his bike while up on the center stand and a jack with no wheels.

Bwaaaahahahahhhaaa

 

[Scab]

Visualizing Keithaba, home mechanic sitting on his bike while up on the center stand and a jack with no wheels, making vroom-vroom sounds.
Bwaaaahahahahhhaaa

Edited for accuracy.

 

[drjfjr]

You know, if you have a floor jack, I have a neat little proceedure to remove both wheels and very little else...

Yep, center stand to hold the rear wheel up and a floor jack for the front. I used a short 2x4 between the floor jack and the headers. Since only the front of the bike is being supported, the headers are pleanty strong..............just don't sit on the bike while the jack is under it...............you never know.

Gunny+1

I have used that procedure many times. I also support the outboard ends of the 2x4 if I am removing the forks to make sure that if the jack starts to drift there is still support. If I am not removing the forks I use jack stands under the forks for the same purpose. Of course there is always the system that is shown on the Micapeak site with the pipes for a front end stand.

Keith

I can stop by tomorrow to help jack it up but I can't stay long.

 

[El Gordo]

Bustanut, out here on this west coast island, cinderblocks are expensive when you can get them. So we only use them indoors for making beautiful shelving units.
For long term, front yard vehicle repairs we use tree stumps. Which are plentiful & practical 'cause they can be cut long enough for even the most jacked-up Chevy 4X4s.

Gordo,

:lol2: :lol2: :good: Oh man :haha: I wish I could find the picture from the wild and crazy single days. I actually had an entertainment stand with red and blue painted cinder block supporting dark walnut stained pine planks.

What was with that nasty assed dark wood back then :dribble:

:jester:

If it was like mine, it was prolly yellow pine wrapped with MacTac. B)

 

[El Gordo]

If you have something on the floor to hook to, you can put it on the centerstand then use bike tiedowns off the luggage rack to pull down the back, thus lifting the front. Works well on full length bike lifts.

 

[madmike2]

Eye dunno whyn'tcha hangin thet dang ol' sucker from a big ol tree er a roof rafter? Jist git yerseff sum gude roap er summa them cargoe straps on sail from down et CSK er NAPA.

 

[dcarver]

I recall an earlier post where some fart smeller mentioned he rode his bike to the dealer, removed tires in the parking lot. He was challenged with 'how you do dat?'.

His solution was elegantly simple. Rear tire lifted and removed via center stand.

Front tire removed and lifted by backing the FJR up to a fence pole, using tie downs from secure points, lift the front end up.

On the road and getting tires swapped for cheap.

 

[BIODSL]

I have a little cinder block experience, but much prefer an inexpensive front end stand made with metal pipe from Home Depot. Check it out at

https://www.fjr1300.info/howto/frontstand.html

Paul Peloquin

Monmouth OR