removing both wheels simultaneously... how to balance bike?

[Eric_in_OR]

I need to remove both wheels from my GS500 for the tire shop, as they are both way overdue. In the past, I've only done one at a time, no problem, but this is a little more tricky. So, is there any trick for balancing the bike without any wheels? I was thinking of possibly putting it up on the centerstand and then using a jack under the oil pan to balance the bike.

[reload]

i personally don't like resting the bike on the pan. i cut two (3x3  ) blocks to length on the miter saw. dont remember the length. anyhow, i use those under the two frame rails running next to the oil pan.

cut the blocks to a length so that the bike will balance (on the blocks and center stand) with both wheels off the ground. flatter surfaces better, bigger blocks better.

i only did this cause my jackstands were too high. maybe ill get new ones

[Big Rich]

If you have access to a engine hoist or a deer gambril, you can pull the tank and the seat and lift the entire bike. I put mine on the center stand and just use a hoist to balance it.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

I don't have a center stand so I put the rear on a track stand, and put short jack stands under the front frame rails. They also make track stands that you can lift the front forks with. Not sure how well those work though.

[ohgood]

 ladder + tie down straps = bike in the air. or tree. or big fat woman with double strength bra...

[tt_four]

I used to do two different things. I would either put it on the stand, and use a ratchet strap through that front triangle of the frame, or else I'd wedge a piece of wood under that cross bar to the frame by where the headers bolt to the engine.

You could also put a 5 gallon bucket on the passenger seat, and keep putting water in it an oz. at a time until it's perfectly balanced like a scale.

[burning1]

I don't have a center stand so I put the rear on a track stand, and put short jack stands under the front frame rails. They also make track stands that you can lift the front forks with. Not sure how well those work though.

Forklift stands work great. The type that lifts from the bottom of the fork tube is most convenient for wheel changes, but can be insecure if used improperly. A centerpin stand (which lifts from the bottom of the tripple clamp) is more secure, but a little more of a pain to use (especially on faired bikes.) The Pittbull front stand is ideal; you can buy a centerpin conversion kit for the standard stand, and use it however you feel.

To the OP: I recommend against supporting the bike on the center stand, but if you must do it, here's what's worked for me in the past:

1. Put the bike on the center stand.
2. Tie the center stand to the front of the bike so that it cannot fold up.
3. Place a jackstand on a secure part of the bike ahead of the center stand, and remove your front wheel.
4. Place a jackstand under the rear end of the bike, and remove the rear wheel.

I've never used this method on my GS; I own high quality race stands. I have used it on a BMW. I'd usually put the rear jack under the rear swingarm, and for the front I'd put the axle bolt back through the tubes and the jackstand under that.

[jp]

I have one of these from Harbor Freight


http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/lifts-stands/1500-lb-capacity-atv-motorcycle-lift-2792.html

You can cut up an 8' 2x4 to make an adapter to allow it to lift by the frame if you want. Just remember to tie the bike to the stand after you lift it, and before you pull off the wheels. The C of G will shift when you pull the wheels, and the bike can fall off if it isn't tied down. A friend of mine learned that when he pulled the front wheel off his Harley. The nice part is that you can move the bike off to the side while you're not working on it, and regain some garage space. I had a 77 Goldwing on mine for 3-4 months one winter, and it was nice to be able to move it out of the way.

[gsJack]

I have removed both wheels at once from all 6 of my bikes the same way, 4 Hondas and 2 GS500s.  I have several 4x4x18, a couple 2x4x12, and a couple 1x2x12 pieces/blocks of wood that I first used years ago on small cars to lift 2 wheels at once.

On the GSs two of the 4x4 blocks placed crosswise under the front of the headpipes just clears the pipes with the bike on the ctr stand.  I then lift the front wheel with one hand under the top of the rim and place a 1x2 strip between the pipes and the 4x4 blocks with the other hand and the wheel spins freely for removal.

On the GSs when removing both wheels for tire changes I find it works best to put the bike on the ctr stand and remove the rear wheel first and then lift the front onto the blocks to remove the front wheel.  Gives more room to get the rear wheel out particularly if you have oversize tires. Reverse process putting them back on, front on first, lower front end, and then rear wheel on.

Bikes are perfectly solid and stable on the blocks and ctr stand and I changed the steering head bearings on 2 of the Hondas the same way as well as fork seals/springs on the GSs.

[Jared]

I have two ways that I cheat....

I have a 900 pound hoist mounted in my garage  I can pick the bike up by the frame with it....let it balance on the center stand that way...

My other way is I have spare rim/tires out there too... just swap them out while I get new rubber mounted.

You could make some triangular "wheels" to put in there out of 2x4's......(one flat triangle on the ground...the point of it drilled to let the axle(s) go in them...
Obviously they need top be wide enough  so the bike is stable side to side...(think spool stand....)... May not be worth it for a one time job....but if you work on bikes a lot  -could be useful to have a set around...

Blocks of wood work ok.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

You could make some triangular "wheels" to put in there out of 2x4's......(one flat triangle on the ground...the point of it drilled to let the axle(s) go in them...
Obviously they need top be wide enough  so the bike is stable side to side...(think spool stand....)... May not be worth it for a one time job....but if you work on bikes a lot  -could be useful to have a set around...

That's an interesting idea. You could make the base really wide and put casters on it to move the bike around too...

[jeremy_nash]

I place bike on center stand, remove the rear wheel, then remove the front wheel, and place my portable toolbox under the forks. simple and easy

[Allen]

Thats easy! After you put it up on the centerstand, place a jack and a piece of 2x4, and jack it up from where you want, the oil pan/ exhaust pipes. Done! you only have to lift the front wheel just a tiny bit above the ground.

[scratch]

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