Topic: CB750 Front Wheel Removal Best Practice

[jchilper]

So...I've been lurking on this list forever it seems, now it's time to check with everyone on a "best practice". I need to replace the front fender, which of course requires removal of the wheel assembly and inner brake pad. Raising the front end to get this done is what I'd like to know how others have done the job. On the smaller, lighter bikes I usually put a scissor jack and a plywood block under the oil pan and up goes the front end (with bike on center stand). I'm concerned about the exhaust layout under the frame on the 750's, can't really make contact with it using the scissor jack. So what does everyone else do?

[Stev-o]

I've changed the fender on my K4 and didn't take the wheel off.

[dhall57]

Jackstand sitting on barbell plates backyard I know but worked great when I was putting new fork seals and gators and tire on my 750KO.

[Stev-o]

DHall - is that Hammer Strength in your garage?

[Toxic]

I've changed the fender on my K4 and didn't take the wheel off.

+1 no need to take the wheel off but

if you are going to use a jack, cut a 1/2" pc of plywood to fit on the top then get some 2" x 2" and attach them to the plywood so that the 2 x 2 pieces form rails that will slide between the header pipes and run along the frame tubes.  This way when you raise the jack, you are lifting the bike by the lower frame rails and not crushing your exhaust.

[MCRider]

Jackstand sitting on barbell plates backyard I know but worked great when I was putting new fork seals and gators and tire on my 750KO.

Now that's a good idea! Won't work with an oil cooler, but I'm not there yet.

I've always used a bottle jack under the leading edge fins of the oil cooler cover. This may make some cringe, but I've done it many many times for many years with never a problem.

What I've found recently is a 5 gallon bucket full of something, and a tiedown from the bucket handle oer the rear fender and back down. One 5 gallon full is not quite enough to hold the front wheel up. but plenty when the wheel is off. So I use the bottle jack along with until the wheel comes off.

2 5 gal buckets will hold the wheel off, no assistance needed. here I have 2 5 gal stacked. Old paint, and wallcompound. Tie wrap goes up and over my luggage rack.


Also, I've heard of using heavy bags, maybe water softener salt, on the seat. 2 = 80lbs, ought to do it.

[70CB750]

Jackstand sitting on barbell plates backyard I know but worked great when I was putting new fork seals and gators and tire on my 750KO.

The yellow frame is a motorcycle?  What year and make? 

I put floor jack and piece of plywood under the front part of exhaust pipes, gotta go slow, but it works well enough.

[jchilper]

I didn't think about jacking the upper part of the frame. I don't have all the buckets of heavy stuff to leverage the bike front the rear - and the wife isn't willing to sit on the thing for the time it'll take me to swap fenders. So I guess I'll stick with the scissor jack but go with the lower frame method spec'd by Toxic.

Steve-O, how in the heck did you get the fender struts through the forks without scratching stuff up?

Thanks all for the ideas.

[MCRider]

Don't know about a K6, but on a K2 the struts come off.

[Steve_K]

I remove my front wheel sometimes by putting it on 2 by 12 and on the centerstand.   Put a tiedown under the plank and use that to pull the rear wheel down to the plank.  I also use a shorter plank that I pull out from under the front wheel.  A little easier to remove the wheel.  Simpler than it sounds.
Steve

[Stev-o]

Steve-O, how in the heck did you get the fender struts through the forks without scratching stuff up?

The fender stays?  Just remove all bolts and gently slide it back.
Have you tried it yet!

[MCRider]

I remove my front wheel sometimes by putting it on 2 by 12 and on the centerstand.   Put a tiedown under the plank and use that to pull the rear wheel down to the plank.  I also use a shorter plank that I pull out from under the front wheel.  A little easier to remove the wheel.  Simpler than it sounds.
Steve

Sounds simple enough.  A length of plank stores better than 2 5 gal buckets. I can see threading in some eyes to hook the tie down to, rather than looping it under the plank.

[Schnell]

I'll be replacing my front tire this winter. I was thinking of suspending the front end with rope from a garage rafter. (Bike is on its center stand.)

[MCRider]

I'll be replacing my front tire this winter. I was thinking of suspending the front end with rope from a garage rafter. (Bike is on its center stand.)

I have that set up as well. Perfectly fine. Finished ceiling, but I have eye hooks screwed into the rafters and tie downs hanging. Problem is getting the bike directly under the ropes. A little off center is not comfortable. And its not quite as user friendly, tie down slipping always in back of mind. Then hook points on bike sometimes not ideally available. Still it works.

[K5 Keith]

Center stand plus a jack and timber worked for me. Plenty stable to get the work done.