How to: front wheel removal

**Sparkz** · 14th December 2006, 20:11

Right, I am tired of stringing my front end up with rope over the garage rafters every time the front wheel needs to come off. There must be a better way.

I have a rear stand (has rubber pads that go under the swingarm) and I can see the merit in having a front stand too to hold the front up to remove the front wheel, but finances are slim.

Does anyone have another method of jacking up the front and supporting it while the front wheel is removed?

Cheers

**cowpoos** · 14th December 2006, 20:16

side stand and use car jack under exhaust headers.....other wise talk to DOVER.....he has the world record for front wheel removal!!!

**Grub** · 14th December 2006, 21:06

I just did it for the first time tonight ... took a bit of head-scratching, but its passable.

Car axle stands under each footpeg mount and car sizzor jack (and large block of wood) under the exhaust headers. I don't really like the amount of load I'm putting on the headers though, the pegs are a long way back and even sitting on the pillion and stacking out, I can't get much weight off the front wheel

Brett

**xwhatsit** · 14th December 2006, 21:27

Centre stands are useful, not only for chain lubing, but front wheel pissing around as well. When I took my front end off, I put bike up on centre stand and then put a bag of cement at the back of the seat, which made the front end sit up. After the wheel etc comes out, you don't need the cement anymore as the front is much lighter.

Of course if you own one of those poncy `modern' bikes without a centre stand you've no hope

**HDTboy** · 14th December 2006, 21:45

I usea pit stand on the rear, and scissor jack under the headers. Alternatively, if the fairings are off, you could use two car axle stands, one under each engine side case

**Sparkz** · 15th December 2006, 06:01

Cheers all.

Yup, I also use the car jack under the headers, but it all seems really dodgy. Nearly dropped the bike on its head last night.

**Kflasher** · 15th December 2006, 06:17

Yeah car jack and stands with block of wood, slip some timber packers between anything that looks as if it may flex ie headers & block. I still use the tie downs form the rafters as extra insurance too.

**Grub** · 15th December 2006, 11:51

Originally Posted by Kflasher

I still use the tie downs form the rafters as extra insurance too.

Ours are in the bedroom, I'd need to get qa ladder over the bed to get them down so I'll take the risk with the stands and jack

Grubbie

**Disco Dan** · 15th December 2006, 11:59

Click... swings out centre stand...

**The Stranger:Me** · 15th December 2006, 11:59

I have a half 12mm eyebolt (mitre 10) which I drop through the steering head and put a nut on, but still involves the rafters.

Works on the GSXR, but not all bikes.

**riffer** · 15th December 2006, 13:15

I used to use scissor jack but its just too dodgy - the bike moves around too easily.

Now I use a trolley jack which has a much bigger contact point. Much better.

**bistard** · 15th December 2006, 13:26

Dont muck around,just buy a universal front stand,the sort that mount under
the triple clamps,so if you ever need to get your forks out you are covered