Removing front and rear wheels to replace tires...Any advice?

[Toad Rider]

I'll be removing the front and rear wheels this weekend to replace my tires.  Are there any difficulties I should know about?  How do you stand up the bike with the front wheel off?  Does the bike stand on the front fork while on the centerstand?

[Mayoke]

When I did mine, it was pretty easy.

I put the bike up on the centerstand and then pulled the rear off.
Next, I took a floor jack and a 2X4 and raised the front just enough to lift the front tire.
I then took the front tire off.

Easy breezy.

With the floor jack supporting the front, it seemed perfect.
I put it all back together in the reverse order.

[Admiral Crunch]

I have a small floor jack I bought at WalMart that fits up between the pipes and rests on the underside of the engine.  It holds the bike up in the front.  I jack just enough to take the weight off the front tire and for it to barely be able to get out from under the fender, but not enough to really jack it up in the air.  Makes putting it back on easier when you don't have to lift the tire up to get it to line up for the axle.

To pull the front tire, all you have to do is remove the speedometer cable, remove the cotter pin on the axle nut, remove the nut, twist the axle bolt head to make sure it's broken loose, grab the head with some vice grips, and pull.  If it's stuck, you may have to tap it out.  Make sure you don't lose track of what order things go on the axle.  Once the axle is removed, pull the tire out forward.  Oh, don't forget to loosen the pinch bolt on the fork.

[jen_]

I will *never* get tired of posting this picture!! Never!

[Chuck]

With the center stand, your rear wheel is off the ground.  Do your rear wheel and put it back.  Then put a heavy sack of something on the passenger seat and the front wheel will come up.  Good to go.

[ben2go]

I just turn mine upside down on the seat and handle bars like a bmx bicycle. 

[GeeP]

Heavy ratchet straps secured to the underside of the triple clamp at the forks and to the subframe aft of the seat latch work well.  You can then hang it from a crane, a forklift, an engine hoist, or failing all those, a sturdy overhanging tree branch.   

[MikeNW]

I've been sketching some overhead lifts for my garage, any lift would have to be free-standing, but is almost a necessity to work on the Concours and the Shadow (which has no centerstand  ).
Garage ceiling is 8 ft. which limits the height of the contraption.

I have several ideas, none are elegant enough for me.   

Lifting overhead is the best answer though.  No possibility of tipping over.  The bike would be at stable equilibrium.  As opposed to supporting it on the ground.

[Admiral Crunch]

With the center stand, your rear wheel is off the ground.  Do your rear wheel and put it back.  Then put a heavy sack of something on the passenger seat and the front wheel will come up.  Good to go.

I wouldn't recommend that.  If the weight on the rear slipped off or shifted, your bike is going to come crashing down.

[Chuck]

Yes, you have to be able to stack an object on top of another object for that technique to work.  I used a 40 lb bag of wood pellets, which hangs over the sides.  I wouldn't use a bowling ball, for example.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Yes, you have to be able to stack an object on top of another object for that technique to work.  I used a 40 lb bag of wood pellets, which hangs over the sides.  I wouldn't use a bowling ball, for example.

PWN


lol

[Suzuk-E]

Question: I'm putting on my new Kendas today. I've heard horror stories about how slick fresh tires are. Is there a recommended way to break in new tires?

[GSRider]

Yeah.

Ride it.

Kendas are pretty slippery even when they are broken in, so I doubt you'll even notice a difference.


But the real way to break them in (Short of sanding your tires to get rid of the mold release) is just to ride it, and work the tires to the edges slowly. Usually, within about 60 miles, they **should** be scrubbed in.

[Suzuk-E]

Kendas are pretty slippery even when they are broken in

They are? 

[bosozoku]

Yes, you have to be able to stack an object on top of another object for that technique to work.  I used a 40 lb bag of wood pellets, which hangs over the sides.  I wouldn't use a bowling ball, for example.

I used a come-along from the rear grab rail down to the handle of a big heavy toolbox.  Tighten it down and the front comes up.

-b.

[Admiral Crunch]

Yes, you have to be able to stack an object on top of another object for that technique to work.  I used a 40 lb bag of wood pellets, which hangs over the sides.  I wouldn't use a bowling ball, for example.

PWN

lol

Man this site's gone downhill.  I bought a GS500 partially because I knew there was this great site full of good people who help each other.  Now there are too many assholes.  It's a shame really.  I guess a shop manual is all I need.  Bye.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Yes, you have to be able to stack an object on top of another object for that technique to work.  I used a 40 lb bag of wood pellets, which hangs over the sides.  I wouldn't use a bowling ball, for example.

PWN

lol

Man this site's gone downhill.  I bought a GS500 partially because I knew there was this great site full of good people who help each other.  Now there are too many assholes.  It's a shame really.  I guess a shop manual is all I need.  Bye.

Gee, I joined this site because there were a good number of people with knowledge, and a sense of f%$king humor. If you get all twisted about something that was OBVIOUSLY intended to be humorous, and a humorous response to that post (After the initial question had been answered, repeatedly, and a little off topic banter is to be expected), then good by to you too.