Topic: Jack Lift vs. Center Stand for (especially wheel) Maintenance

[ironandtime]

Hi All,

Newbie question alert! If I want to pull off both front and rear wheels of my '78 CB550 for maintenance, can I get away with just using the center stand of the bike and doing one wheel at a time, or do you recommend that I go ahead and invest in a motorbike jack lift from the get go?

I just got a new-to-me bike, and I want to replace the brake pads on front and shoes in the rear drum, as the front pads  alone have wore down to almost nothing by the previous owner so I just want to take care of all the brakes at once. Rear brake pedal pushes almost all the way down before rear brakes engage :-( Front brake unit was rebuilt by PO, so for that I hope all I have to do is replace the fluid when done. I'll want to probably inspect wheel bearings as well while each wheel is off.

Before I dig in, though, I want to figure out best way of supporting the bike for removing wheels. Thanks ya'lls!

-Matt in San Jose

[750K]

It's nice to have the jack for the front wheel, if I had the option I'd have both. Center stand gets the rear wheel off the ground but due to the weight of the motor not the front unless you have a helper. To lube the chain and pull the rear wheel the center stand is way quicker and easier than setting up the jack, as well as at the side of the road if you need to work on it. Get both and you'll be set, those jacks aren't really expensive and do come in handy. Get a tie down for it as well.

[Powderman]

Center stand puts weight on the front wheel raising the rear off the ground. Front changes are difficult because of this. Sometimes center stands and exhausts get in the way of using a conventional bike lift. It's a PITA on my CB400f

[thep1pe]

I have a motorcycle ramp with a removable section at the rear to allow the wheel to drop out. As a matter of fact  I have the bike on it ATM with both wheels removed. You don't need a ramp to do this though. Just remove rear wheel and tilt the bike back, place stand under swing arm, put wood block under engine, remove front wheel. Were the ramp comes in handy is you can jack it way up and work at a more relaxing way. I got the ramp cheap but it is not necessary, as you can remove both wheels with the bike on the main stand.

[Black 750K8]

Depends on what you have to work with. My shop has some huge beams that I have bolted a 12v winch to then I use a sling in different places on the bike push the button and up she goes.

[Bootlegger56]

I put my K5 750 on the center stand and put a padded small scissor jack under the front of the engine.  I can jack up the front slightly to allow maintenance.  My K1 550 has an altered center stand that is removable to get rid of it while riding.  I do not like the motorcycle jacks.  I have two of them.  Both given to me by people who dropped or almost dropped their bikes with them.  I do not use them and have been saving them for a possible lift table project.  In addition the exhaust is a problem on both of my bikes with using the jacks.  It would require some type of spacer to allow contact with the lower frame rails in order to work. 

[ekpent]

Like bootlegger says about the 750, a small padded bottle jack or other type under engine will raise the front easily on the center stand. A piece of 2x4 can be a safety brace nudged up on the frame front. I have a bike jack and a bike lift but usually for me wheels etc are just easier and less hassle with the center stand.

[heyitsrama]

San Jose?! I'm just north of you over in fremont.
The CenterStand is okay for the rear tire, but does not work for the front.
There are these swing arms on freebay for sale, almost 70 a pop.
or if you want something local try one of these?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/4372412622.html
Mine is not like that at all. Mine connects to the rear sets, then to the exhaust..
 (I'm hella iffy of it being on the exhaust though its been on there for a month or two, and has not moved at all. )

down...

up

[mrbreeze]

If this means one or the other.....I'd rather have the center stand. Some guys take them off for looks or to save weight. The center stand is a must for roadside repair (which luckily isn't needed much with these bikes but great to have when you do need it). Like already mentioned....a lift is good to get the bike at working level so you can stand while working. The center stand will lift the rear wheel as already mentioned. If you are going to take both wheels off at the same time all you have to do is take the rear wheel off first and just use a bottle jack under the engine to get front wheel off the ground for service or removal. I put 2 small auto jack stands under the frame in front to stabilize the bike while working. You can also run a strap from the handle bars to the rafters in the garage.

[PeWe]

Center stand is not an option together with 4-1 exhaust.
Bike jack stand  OK for garage. I used planks + a simple car jack + scissor jack ( for  leveling) under the engine, frame tubes during assembly. Work the other way as well.
I had both wheel mounted when finding out that the swing arm did not fit. Back with jack and plank, K2 swing arm on the bike.
heyitsrama's Lifting device look really good and uncomplicated measured in $$$$

[kerryb]

I like the center stand and 2x4 method, but I put it on the lift table 'cause I hate crawling around on the floor to work on it...I'm old.

p.s. MRBREEZE your avatar makes me laugh every time I see it.

[Stev-o]

I recently mounted a piece of angle iron to the garage ceiling joists and bought a cable ratchet strap to lift the front end up. (or back end)
This allows a lot of room under and around the bike to work on it without any jack in the way. 
Highly recommended. 

[Dave Voss]

Hi Matt,

I also have a '78 CB550, and I've found that balancing the motorcycle on the center stand with one or both wheels removed is not a problem.  Of more concern is the possibility of accidently bumping it and tipping it over while in that state, but if you're careful and there are no dogs or small kids running around, its usually okay.

To remove the rear wheel only, I just put the motorcycle on the center stand.  To remove the front wheel, I place a 1x4 block under the center stand, and then use a small bottle jack under the front edge of the engine to lift the motorcycle until the rear tire just touches the floor, which provides enough height for the front wheel/tire to be able to clear the front fender for removal.  To remove both wheels, remove the rear wheel first, then raise the front with a bottle jack to remove the front wheel, no 1x4 needed since the rear wheel/tire is already out of the way.  No doubt a scissor jack would be the way to go, but its not a must.

[ironandtime]

Hi All - thanks a million for all these super helpful comments, and nice to see at least a couple of you are more or less in my neck of the woods. I think I'll start with the center stand + front jack/2 x 4/jack stands combo. I'm working in an ancient garage that's pretty rickety, and I think if I put too much weight on the overhead joists I'm likely to pull the whole garage down on top of me :-) I'll update this thread with pics to show progress once I get to that point. Thanks again...this forum is really helpful, and I appreciate your collective knowledge and experience. Cheers

[mrbreeze]

Using a bottle jack & jack stands works just fine. I wasn't talking about lifting the whole bike using your rafters. Just picking the front wheel off of the ground. I hope yours isn't that rickety!!!!

[ironandtime]

Thanks, mrbreeze. Yeah, it's pretty rickety. If owned the place, I'm pretty sure I'd rebuild it. Keeps the rain and sun off me at least :-)

[Black 750K8]

I don't like the idea of lifting the bike on the exhaust it puts to much stress on the bolts or studs at the head. That is just asking for trouble. IMHO.

[Scott S]

 This is the best thing I ever bought for working on my bikes.

[Black 750K8]

This is the best thing I ever bought for working on my bikes.

+10 The black adapters are the way to go when using a jack like that it gets you off the pipes.

[Cougars750F0]

This is the best thing I ever bought for working on my bikes.

+10 The black adapters are the way to go when using a jack like that it gets you off the pipes.

where do I find one of these for sale?

[750K]

I'm stuck with a jack for now, center stand won't clear the 4-1 on my 77. I've got a welder friend that is going to cut and brace it structurally so it can be used in the garage will be nice to be able to use it again.

[78whiteorbs]

Depends on what you have to work with. My shop has some huge beams that I have bolted a 12v winch to then I use a sling in different places on the bike push th
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e button and up she g[quote author=Black 750K8 link=topic=135256.msg1521309#msg1521309 date=139492142
Depends on what you have to work with. My shop has some huge beams that I have bolted a 12v winch to then I use a sling in different places on the bike push the button and up she goes.

[/quote]

+1 same here works great

[seanbarney41]

This is the best thing I ever bought for working on my bikes.

got a link?...never saw those adapters before

[PeWe]

Google pic search...
http://www.supplierlist.com/product_view/balmart/200249/100341/1100_lbs_Mini_Motorcycle_Lift.htm
http://equiptool.com/i-365893-ranger-rml-1100-motorcycle-lift-jack-1100-lb-capacity.html
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-lift-jack.htm
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Vehicle-Lifts/1100-lb-ATV-Motorcycle-Lift/8133910.p

[CBGhia]

I recently mounted a piece of angle iron to the garage ceiling joists and bought a cable ratchet strap to lift the front end up. (or back end)
This allows a lot of room under and around the bike to work on it without any jack in the way. 
Highly recommended. 

Well, if you want to do it the nice, clean way, Steve.  I just cut 3 little holes in the sheetrock and put a ratchet strap over one of the joists.  Doesn't look as pretty, but I couldn't get the bike jack under the RD350 I was working on.

[Scott S]

This is the best thing I ever bought for working on my bikes.

got a link?...never saw those adapters before

http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Scissor-Center-Floor-Repair/dp/B003BVYXFI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395145907&sr=8-3&keywords=motorcycle+jack

 Also on eBay.

[flatlander]

this could be interesting. what does it weigh?

[Scott S]

 My Dad is using mine right now, but I'd guess 15-20 lbs., maybe?
 You can pick it up easily. I've removed both wheels using it and the centerstand. Bike was solid.

[flatlander]

sounds really good. i don't have the space for a proper workshop and this could be a solution to make work in the garage or outside the house more easy.

[seanbarney41]

Thanks Scott S...a couple of my shop mates have a similar jack but they do not have those adapters and paid much more for the jack.

[jdubb1977]

I actually just pulled the center stand of my '76 750F.  It's a 4-1 exhaust, and I didn't realize how much the chain was scraping the stand.  That said, I bought a swingarm stand from Harbor Freight for about $25.  Great deal, and lifts the rear w/ no problem.  If I need to get the front off the ground I just use a jack & a 2x4.  Easy & inexpensive!

[Mantree]

This is the best thing I ever bought for working on my bikes.

I just ordered one of these today

[PeWe]

Jack to lift frame. NOT placed under the engine. I have my bike on sidestand,  jack stand under right side foot peg. Lift jack placed under left side fram and up it goes. Another jack stand under left foot peg.
I can balance rear wheel or front wheel up with the jack, where on the frame it lift.