maintenance "to do's" when tires are off

[kjoslin]

I plan on getting new tires and am wondering what maintenance jobs should I tackle while they are off?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Keith,

Okay, front, check bearings, but they are sealed type so you can't regrease them, just check for looseness. Clean and regrease the speedo drive gear, check your brake pads.

Rear, check bearings. You can regrease the splines where the rear wheel hub fits onto the final drive unit. Also, pull the final drive unit from the swingarm and regrease the driveshaft splines as well! Check the final drive fluid/oil, or even change if haven't done it in several years. While wheel off, check swingarm bearings for looseness. Adjust per manual for proper centration and tightness. IIRC you can grease them, but will need to check the manual! Check the rear brake pads.

Check the turn signal ground wires where they fasten to the stalks of the rear signals inside the fender well!
T.C.

[kjoslin]

thanks T.C.;

I new there was alot I could do on the bike once I had the wheels off. I know the previous owner kept the bike up, but I'm "digging in" and learning more about maintaining her. I'm starting to go over the whole bike, so I'm sure I'll have more questions.

One more question...I bought a bike stand/dolly at Harbor Freight. I'm trying to figure out...
1. how to jack it up to be able to position the dolly underneath, and
2. where I can position the two crosspads (exhaust hangs below frame; can I put a 2x4 against oil pan?, etc)

If I can get the bike up on the stand for the winter, it will be much easier to move it around in my garage and to work on it. Then I can take both wheels off and do the work you suggested with ease.

Thanks for the help!

Keith

[John]

Tha jack you bought won't work on our bikes, as you've found, unless you can build a cradle/adaptor that will fit the frame rails of the XS. I came very close to buying one also, but when I learned about the jack contacting the pipes, I changed my mind, plus I have heard horror stories of bikes falling off those things.

[kjoslin]

Oh well, I thought it was a handy item.
You saved me the "embarassment" of having to call my wife to pick the bike up off of me! I'll take it back.

Another item they sell is an
ATV/ motorcycle lift. Are you familiar with it? Same problem?


thanks John;

[AlanB]

Hi Guys,

I use two ratchet straps (cargo straps?); One onto the centre of the handlebars, the other hooked to one of the cross-rails at the rear of the frame.

Both go up to the rafters of the garage, and lift the bike.

To get it back down, I fit a couple of wood blocks under the tyres, so it does not "drop", and release the straps.

If you are thinking of doing the same, CHECK that the roof is strong enough to take the weight!........ you don't want to bring it down on top of your XS!!

AlanB

[DiverRay]

Alan,
I use a "come along" to lift my bike. I've a carport, not a garage. I put a 2X4 under each side of the beam to help support the weight.

[AlanB]

Hi Ray,

Friend of mine uses a (BIG!) engine crane and a strap to get his off the ground; I am not keen on that idea 'cos hydraulics can creep..........

Are you still over here, or back home?

AlanB

[Axel]

bike jack off

I returned the bike jack I had bought and went to the wrecker for a center stand . Friend has a cradle on his that he has used to lifr my bike with chain blocks hoisting at the same time so not much pressure was put on the exhaust .