Pulling rear wheel- best way to raise bike?

[NDAna]

Yes I know this is lame.  My main bike is a VTX 1800 and have a jack for it.  NO centerstand on the Suzi (94 GS500) naked bike.  Just wondering if the pipes are strong enough to stand up to lifting the bike.  Or best way?  Any help appreciated. 

[Badot]

Couldn't tell you about weight on the pipes but my initial thought would be no...

What kind of jack do you have? If it's a platform jack you can run some planks on the edges around the exhaust.

[NDAna]

Yep platform jack.  Picks up the 900# VTX no problem!  I just have to replace the rear rotor.  Previous owner really ate it up metal on metal.  Jut going to have a nice little mechanically sound rat/commuter. 
How does one normally pick one of these up?

[Badot]

How does one normally pick one of these up?

Center stand. But it's not uncommon to use a platform jack with a piece of scrap wood running down each side to put the weight on the oil pan area. Be sure to be gentle though.

[jestercinti]

You lucky son of a gun.  You live in Seattle, Washington.  GSTwin user "Adidasguy" has the garage of all garages in North America located near you.

I'm sure if you are nice, he'll invite you over to work on your GS500.

[weedahoe]

You dont have a swing arm stand?

[Soloratov]

Ratchet straps on the rafters! How I had my bike hanging when I stripped it.

[joshr08]

As others have said use your platform jack and just use wood pieces on the jack to keep bike weight off the exhaust.  I wouldn't let the bike sit on the exhaust as that's a lot of weight transferred up to the exhaust flange studs.

[codajastal]

Ratchet straps on the rafters! How I had my bike hanging when I stripped it.

+1 on this. This is how I used to do mine until I bought a paddock stand

[burning1]

Best is a center stand. Second best is a swing-arm lift - you can get a tabbed lift to work with the stock swingarm, or weld on spool bosses, for a more secure lift with spools and a stand.

Other options:
- Strap to rafters
- Place jacks under frame (useful for swingarm swaps)

[gsJack]

I vote centerstand.  If I had a GS without one I would be searching e-bay for one.  All six bikes I've had, 4 Hondas and 2 GSs, have had a c'stand and there's nothing I can't do with a c'stand and wood blocks under the pipes to lift the front when pulling both wheels at once to go get a pair of tires mounted.  I don't change engines, I change bikes after I get 80-100k miles out of them.

[burning1]

One thing I wish I could do: convince center stand owners that the side stand is better for day to day parking. Center stand is for maintenance - you're not obligated to use it to park the bike, and it is most certainly not more stable.

[ohgood]

Ratchet straps on the rafters! How I had my bike hanging when I stripped it.

+1 works on every bike, and you can drop the engine out, or forks, or swingarm, or everything.

all it needs is an inch off the ground

so much easier when nothing is in the way

[burning1]

Doesn't work for every garage, though!

[peterscotts]

Yes I know this is lame.  My main bike is a VTX 1800 and have a jack for it.  NO centerstand on the Suzi (94 GS500) naked bike.  Just wondering if the pipes are strong enough to stand up to lifting the bike.  Or best way?  Any help appreciated.

Whack a centre stand on her, you'll never have the problem again.. Best stand to use at any time, (generally)  not keen on the side stands.

[weedahoe]

Swing arm stand for me since my bike never came with a center stand.

[ohgood]

Doesn't work for every garage, though!

eye loops into the ceiling joists. before you move, fill the holes with toothpaste. 

if it's an apartment that 'inspects' it's properties, use a cherry picker and straps. whole bike off the ground and safely (no falls into dry wall) in 30 seconds or less.


oh, and centerstand- that is the stuff. change the front AND rear tires at the same time... just shim under the pipe and swingarm. centerstands freaking ROCK.

[adidasguy]

So, now that I'm back, what has happened?
I have rear stand. Or we could bolt on a center stand while you change the wheel. Or lift up with straps as I have hooks for straps when we do front end work.

I would never raise a GS500 on the exhaust pipes. Good way to flatten them.