Wanting to service swingarm, if required!

[jmgrif]

As you can see I have built a pipe frame in order to lift my bike safely! Unfortunately you can't use ratchet tie downs, similar to the ones I have used to hold the bike at the front end? How do I know this you ask! I didn't stop to take pictures of my bike leaning severely to one side approximately 3ft in the air on my lift but, I assure you it was and if you believe in luck, I was. So the story goes I built the pipe frame as per one I had seen here on the forum. I made mine out of 1" pipe and I can assure you it can take racking if required! Wanting to test this new apparatus I quickly attached two of my best Chinese built ratchet straps and very gradually started cranking first one side then the other! Soon the bike started to rise but before the swing arm was too far above my race stand I decided that was high enough for the test and decided to begin the lowering process? A neighbour had come over to help but was unfamiliar with the ratchet release, so I showed him a couple of times what to do, the process is about to begin! I'm on my side and he is on his side, we both have mechanism in hand and with my command to release, my side does but his doesn't? The resulting "near catastrophe", is why I know the pipe frame can stand a little racking? It is at this time I know that I shouldn't have used a "tie-down" to lift? Duh! The only reason I expose myself to this kind of stupidity is because I know there are engineer types on this forum who can direct me to the Cheapest, safest, lifting device known to man! I am also looking for a front wheel clamp as well so if anyone has one for sale cheap let me know. Thanks for you interest!

 

[SLK50]

I've lifted my bike a few times to service a few items.

The trick or secret is to use only one ratchet strap to

raise and lower the bike. Attach it to a second strap

looped around the tail and subframe.

 

[Chuck35]

Can you tie the bike to the pipe frame and then lower the lift a bit?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Yeah...Just use a single strap under the wheel well. Would that work??

 

[jmgrif]

Ahh Thankyou Grasshopper!

 

[jmgrif]

Can you tie the bike to the pipe frame and then lower the lift a bit?

I thought about that but... I would like the height for working! I felt that I would have to drop the bike nearly back to the ground in order to achieve my goal of freeing up the swing arm? Not sure, just what I thought it would take?

 

[Chuck35]

I thought about that but... I would like the height for working! I felt that I would have to drop the bike nearly back to the ground in order to achieve my goal of freeing up the swing arm? Not sure, just what I thought it would take?

I was thinking maybe starting with the bike on the centerstand, or jacked up a bit?

I have never used a bike lift, so I'm grasping at straws here

 

[Canadian FJR]

What method did you use to remove the center stand?

Canadian FJR

 

[jmgrif]

The bike was on the lift and the rear end was supported by the race stand, which gave me enough lift to get the center stand off the ground in order to remove it? The rear tire was still on the bike but didn't interfere with that procedure? The initial project was to service the relay arm which had only the two removable bolts done when I upgraded to the new shock! Having the center stand off, I decided now would be a good time to at least look at the trailing arm for any extraneous movement? Thus the need to lift the bike off the race stand to gain free movement of the trailing arm! If that makes any sense?

What method did you use to remove the center stand?




Canadian FJR

 

[Bounce]

Odd. All I had to do was put it on the center stand to service the swing arm.

https://www.fjr-tips.org/maint/sa/sa.html

 

[Queensland Ken]

All I had to do was put it on the center stand to service the swing arm

Ditto

 

[Fred W]

I think grif is trying to service the relay arm and the swingarm. Relay arm service requires the center stand be removed, so he'll need to lift the bike to do that part. Once the relay arm service is done, you can put the center stand back on and do the swingarm.

Back to the question of how to lift using the pipe stand. I've done it a couple of times using ratchet straps. The trick to lowering the bike is that you do not want to just "release" the ratchet mechanism and let the bike fall. Even if you attempt to coordinate with a second person, as you found out, synchronizing the release is far too difficult.

Instead you just lower the bike one ratchet tooth at a time side to side. As long as you never go all the way flat open on the ratchet handle it won't release the whole thing. Yes, it requires a little patience, but it does work. I'm sure it would be easy to work up some alternate way of lifting, but the straps do work.

 

[jmgrif]

I think grif is trying to service the relay arm and the swingarm. Relay arm service requires the center stand be removed, so he'll need to lift the bike to do that part. Once the relay arm service is done, you can put the center stand back on and do the swingarm.
Back to the question of how to lift using the pipe stand. I've done it a couple of times using ratchet straps. The trick to lowering the bike is that you do not want to just "release" the ratchet mechanism and let the bike fall. Even if you attempt to coordinate with a second person, as you found out, synchronizing the release is far too difficult.

Instead you just lower the bike one ratchet tooth at a time side to side. As long as you never go all the way flat open on the ratchet handle it won't release the whole thing. Yes, it requires a little patience, but it does work. I'm sure it would be easy to work up some alternate way of lifting, but the straps do work.

You're right Fred! I have to wait for centre stand bolts from Yamaha Japan so thought while the bike is where it is and as it is I would try to do the swing arm while waiting. Less clutter?

 

[Streethawk]

Harbor Freight Tools has several options for front wheel chocks.

 

[Fred W]

I just noticed the "if required" at the end of the thread title. Quite honestly, I don't think that greasing the swingarm is required. Unlike the suspension pivots below, the swingarm pivot doesn't get as much abuse from road spooge and splashing water.

You can do it if you want to and it makes you feel better, but many folks just skip the swingarm pivot altogether and I've never heard of a problem there due to lack of lubrication.

YMMV

 

[ionbeam]

If someone has an AE and is pulling the swing arm, now would be the time to bleed the auto clutch (if you are brave). The ultimate clutch bleed bolt is accessible when the swing arm is removed.

 

[Wlfman]

https://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-69739-9284.html

Or

https://www.harborfreight.com/440-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-60346-9096.html

 

[redtail]

interested and following along!

I have a wheel chock and now I need the pipe rack!

 

[jmgrif]

As per Fred's question about "whether it needs to be done"? At this time all I want to do is free up the swing arm to test for side play etc.. As per all my maintenance up to this point I haven't had to adjust anything just lube, check, etc. I haven't had to lube my drive splines either or have I felt it necessary to drop the steering head in order to re-grease? As well, with the one bolt/shim/bearing in the relay arm not serviced when I changed my shock, it would appear OK now as well but! I will feel better about "Things" which I can do while they are accessible"! I'm just under 60,000miles nearly 100,000 kms and so far this bike has been Rock Solid! I plan to take this bike to my grave so it has to last another 35 years or so? I'm 63 now.