Author Topic: replacing fork seals with no Center Stand, Support, or Jack. (Read 7627 times)

Beastman · « **on:** April 13, 2011, 06:04:55 AM »

Is it possible to just do one at a time, and leave the remaining fork sitting on a milk crate or something? Anyone tried this?

If not, any ideas for a ghetto rigged support would be great. All I have is the kickstand. Not sure where to put the support to keep the bike from tipping...

I really wish the search bar would come back, these dumb questions could be avoided.

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2011, 06:53:10 AM »

OK.....so you have a big monkey in your garage to lift the bike onto the milk crate after you remove the front wheel. Or maybe you have a differential-hoist in your pocket. Sky Hooks?

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2011, 06:58:34 AM »

Well you can get a couple jack stands maybe and prop the frame up on them. Another idea is is you have access to your garage rafters, use a couple ratcheting straps to lift the front end, just not very stable and will sway. I prefer the jackstand method. Just put cloth on the stands to protect the frame.

octagon · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2011, 06:59:27 AM »

it's not a hard job, but you do need to be set up so you can disassemble the front end without tearing it up. wait til you have more information, and a better set up.

Bakeoff · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2011, 08:20:35 AM »

I already had a front stand from working on my sport bike. I used that with a different sized pin (that came with it) without any issue.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2011, 08:43:10 AM »

Quote from: Beastman on April 13, 2011, 06:04:55 AM

I really wish the search bar would come back, these dumb questions could be avoided.

If only that were true.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2011, 09:06:57 AM »

I am sure it can be done without jacks or stands or center stands but it gets difficult.

Just go to Harbor Freight and pony up for some of these tools, you will get use out of them if you do all your work on your bikes.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2011, 09:19:23 AM »

$50 with coupon for a bike lift. Just have to remove the pipes.

geminimotors · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2011, 10:20:26 AM »

It is possible using only the side stand and a jack. Remove the front fender first. Put a block of wood under the very front of the motor and frame, and jack from there. Get the jack as far forward as you can. The bike will lift enough (precariously balanced on the rear wheel and side stand) to get the front wheel removed, and work from there. It's not very stable, and may fall when you start wrestling the forks off. I don't recommend it, but it works in a pinch. SOHC4 assumes no liability, expressed or implied, for broken levers, crushed pipes, or dented tanks.

crazypj · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2011, 10:39:03 AM »

Been there done that

Steering bearings and fork seals.
I have a bike lift but couldn't be bothered to remove exhaust system to use it

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2011, 10:42:47 AM »

I have used my lift without removing the pipes.
You just have to place some thin wood stacked up under the frame tubes to keep from mashing the pipes.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2011, 11:39:35 AM »

You can but that makes it less stable. I suppose you could screw the wood together and that would help.

ckramlic · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2011, 04:39:04 PM »

My dad and I are restoring a '74 RD350 and we ran into the same problem. We put a 6' stepladder over the bike and tied a rope from the top to the frame. You would still have to jack it up or have someone lift it if you don't have a ratchet strap. Otherwise, it's nice and stable which is important when your trying to pull/push on those fork tubes!

Tree · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2011, 04:47:48 PM »

Quote from: Skunk Stripe on April 13, 2011, 09:19:23 AM

$50 with coupon for a bike lift. Just have to remove the pipes.

Do you have a link to the Coupon? I'd like to pick one up

cobrajunkie · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2011, 04:48:57 PM »

Quote from: rotortiller on April 13, 2011, 04:24:12 PM

I've used a milk crate and pulled the tubes. I then pull the internal spring, the seal dust cover and the seal retention clip. Then I fill the tubes with oil and compress on a press so the seals pop out. No need for extra tube disassembly this way.

rt

huh? I don't think my seals would have budged. Does oil explode out of the tube when the seal pops?

cobrajunkie · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2011, 05:49:54 PM »

Do all smart Yamaha guys have a press big enough to fit a fork tube in? You guys are lucky AND smart.

pilotguy1050 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2011, 07:28:15 PM »

This is how I pulled my tires from my bike last night. the front tire is gone now, too, and the bike is hanging in the air by tie-down straps from the rafters. EASY-PEASY.

Beastman · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2011, 11:26:59 PM »

Quote from: CycleRanger on April 13, 2011, 08:43:10 AM

Quote from: Beastman on April 13, 2011, 06:04:55 AM
I really wish the search bar would come back, these dumb questions could be avoided.

If only that were true.

Haha I just realized that my search was set to "web search" instead of "sohc search". I was getting the most broad random results when searching before. I'm happy now. I can't promise my questions will get less dumb though, just less frequent.

dave500 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2011, 12:19:01 AM »

Quote from: pilotguy1050 on April 13, 2011, 07:28:15 PM

This is how I pulled my tires from my bike last night. the front tire is gone now, too, and the bike is hanging in the air by tie-down straps from the rafters. EASY-PEASY.

either your a puppeteer or thats a motorcycle from the "thunderbirds"show!

c(b)hris · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2011, 06:57:44 AM »

if you've got $50 i got this lift from harbor freight for about that. blocks of wood because of the oil pan.

I know that wasn't your question, but it was a lot cheaper than i imagined it would be when i was trying to figure out how to get my bike off the ground..
I had a non-functioning centerstand when i bought my bike.

754 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2011, 08:45:03 AM »

If you use sidestand, shim under it to get bike straight or level side to side..works better

Beastman · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2011, 11:00:05 PM »

I ended up putting a jackstand under the right side of the frame, and using my car jack to lift the left side. Placed two flat stones under the side stand and took out the jack. The bike was sturdy, and would rock only if you wanted it to, just like on the center stand.

Never did get around to replacing the seals though. At least I know how to approach it when it's time.

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Author Topic: replacing fork seals with no Center Stand, Support, or Jack. (Read 7627 times)