jacking the bike / steering bearings

[kevxs]

hey guys, I need to inspect my steering bearings, is the corrent procdure for jacking the bike to simply place the jack under the center stand and jack away?
looks like I cant get on the frame because the exhaust hangs below it. should i buy a proper floor jack or can i use the emergency one in my grand prix?

[CatatonicBug]

I use my MC jack, and lift the bike by the pipes. That's how we did it on another bike at the MOTM rally too. It spreads the load out on several points, and doesn't seem to cause a problem.

[kevxs]

u mean you use a motorcycle jack and jack on the exhaust pipes? i think i'm reading that wrong. any clever way to lift it without buying a motorcycle jack?

[DGXSER]

Put some kind of board across the bottom of the oil pan to spread the load out and use any kind of jack you have to lift it up in front of the center stand.

[CatatonicBug]

u mean you use a motorcycle jack and jack on the exhaust pipes?

Yep, that is correct. It's the only way I know of to get both wheels off the ground at the same time. Kinda tricky when you remove a wheel though (front or back), as the center of gravity moves and it wants to tip toward the other wheel!

[jjwaller]

hey guys, I need to inspect my steering bearings, is the corrent procdure for jacking the bike to simply place the jack under the center stand and jack away?
looks like I cant get on the frame because the exhaust hangs below it. should i buy a proper floor jack or can i use the emergency one in my grand prix?

No, No, No!!!
This is to the other comments and partially yours.

Put bike on center stand.
Secure center stand so it cannot fold. I usually use ratchet tie downs.
Place jack under oil filter housing.
Jack front end off ground.
Do whatever to front end.
You can also place jack under oilpan just behind filter housing, but that's
a little too close to the balance point for me.
Done this for years and never had a problem.
Again, secure the center stand so it cannot possibly fold.

[Cobia]

I put mine on the centerstand and then get a 2x4 or 4x4 of appropriate length so that when I lift the front up to where the rear tire touches the ground it drops in under the crossmember below the exhaust at the front botom of the frame. Then you can work on the front end all you want. If you have jackstands place them on both sides under the front of the frame, lift, adjust them, and off you go...... ohh your not going anywhere, just go to work on the front end.

[DeanR]

To support the front, I just lift the wheel enough to kick a jack stand under the frame cross-piece right in front of the engine. No jack necessary, wheels's off the ground in a couple seconds. Stays that way all winter with both wheels off the ground.

[motoman]

Since I think you stated you have a center stand, it really is very simple. Rock bike back till rear wheel touches, place wooden blocks under oil filter housing........that's it. No over thinking it here, very simple. And if you have removed the rear wheel while on center stand you can rock it back till it points up to the sky.....may not be necessary to that extent, but it isn't gonna go anywhere or fall off anything blocking under filter housing. Rocked back that centerstand isn't gonna fold......think about it......

[DGXSER]

No Jack

I also do not actually use a jack, I have a 16 yo daughter I have lean on the back of th ebike and lift the front off the ground and put the jack stand in place. But if you do not have kids or a SWMBO to abuse, then the jack method works.

[Southhill101]

I don't have a center stand, and work alone, so I put a jack stand under the case protector on the right (high side), right beside the frame, and floor jack the bike up to straight with a board underneath to protect the engine case. So there is no way the bike can fall to the right when you're on the left side. Then put a jack stand under the left case protector to hold it straight. Take the jack out if I want. Sounds way more complicated than it is, very easy for 1 person and very sturdy for front end work.

Cheers,

[b.walker5]

Axle stands for me also, but I use the side stand. Takes a bit of grunt and balance but I push the bike over on the stand and slide a raised axle stand under the frame tube on the right side, bout where the footpeg is, and then push it back the other way onto the axle stand and slide another under the left side. It'll rock fore and aft like this but I just put a block under whatever wheel I'm not working on and go for it. Getting it down again is simple. Rock it over to the right, remove the left stand, let it come down onto the side stand, go round the other side, rock it up on the side stand and kick the other axle satnd out. I don't think I'd be game enough to put a jack under the exhaust tubes, sounds like a recipie for crushed tubes or broken manifold studs to me.

[motoman]

Thanks DGXSER! that thought occured to me as that is what I do when SWMBO ventures into the man cave for curiosity or visitation pass, then just throw a couple 4x's under the oil filter housing.....painless. Works good and the visit usually gets me a kitchen pass to wherever I want to ride to....lol

[Ken Talbot]

Works good and the visit usually gets me a kitchen pass

Hmmmm.

[scalded dog]

Bike on center stand, 2X4 between tire and kick stand, on the frame, scissor jack on each end of 2x4, raise each side slowly keeping it level, another scissor jack on the cross bar in front of bike, both wheels off the ground. Later 'Dog