Topic: Safest way to raise the front wheel / fork removal

[my name is nobody]

How do you all do it without tipping the bike over? Once the bike is raised in front, how do
you secure things? Can it be done (cb750) on a harbor freight 1000 lb. lift? or is there a better way?
It spooks me going back on the center stand, but if there's no other way, well....I have nothing
overhead to assist/lift with. Suggestions greatly appreciated, thanx folks...

[The Lone Builder]

I just use a scissor jack with a block of wood under the oil pan. I put another block behind the rear wheel just to make sure it doesn’t go that way.

Hasn’t caused a disaster .... yet 

[ekpent]

 I put it on the centerstand and support and raise the bottom of the engine around the oil filter area with a jack and a block of wood and then when I leave if front still off brace the front with a 2x4 or other piece of wood under the front frame section.Worked well on many bikes.

[Bodi]

Pretty much on the centre stand and either a jack or whatever (like a 2x4 cut to fit under it tight) under the oil filter housing. I do have a strongpoint in my shed rafters where I can lift a front end (or an entire bike excepting super heavy ones like a GL or Amazonas) with a chain hoist, but that puts it right in centre and kinda in the way.
Not sure about a 750... many bikes will sit free on the centre stand with the front end off but it isn't very secure, the weight balance is close and pushing down on the steering tube can cause the bike to fall. I have put a bike with no front end on a furniture dolly that just fits the stand and rear wheel so I could move it out of the way, but I strapped the rear wheel down.

[BenelliSEI]

Use a wood/jack, like everyone suggests. If working on the floor, add a short ratchet strap from the side crank on your centre stand to a forward point, on the frame. Snug it up, so there it’s NOT POSSIBLE for the centre stand to flip backwards and up.......

[Kelly E]

On the centerstand and I have the scissors jack with a block of wood under the base of the oil filter housing to lift it. For insurance I put the front axle back in and stick a small jackstand under the axle. Even though the bike is strapped to the lift I still do it.

[MauiK3]

I also have a block of lead I place on the floor and tie to the rear frame just to make sure it stays "reared up"

[Stev-o]

Can it be done (cb750) on a harbor freight 1000 lb. lift?

Not safely.  I almost had a disaster happen trying to remove the rear wheel on my H2 on the HF lift [H2 has no center stand]. The rear of the lift started coming up when the rear wheel was lifted up! Whoa!!

My preferred method is using a 4" ratchet strap attached to the angle iron bolted to the ceiling joists in my shop [but you said you have nothing overhead]

[my name is nobody]

thanks gents...This definately helps. I will report my solution when I get it down off the rack. 

[spotty]

another option if the side stand has been sacrificed to the gods of weight saving is tip it over on the side stand and put an axle stand under the frame tube on the other side as far forward as you can, this will tip the weight backwards onto the rear wheel and get the front off the ground

i'm not saying its the most stable  method in the world, you wouldn't want to be doing an engine swap but it works well enough to get the wheel or forks out

its less stable using the same method for the back wheel but again it works well enough to adjust the chain, i have done a rear wheel change though it didn't feel the safest, especially on my own

[1976cb750f836]

I remove tank, hang frame on a cherry picker. Or I have used ceiling hook and come a long, or ratchet straps. I have no center stand.

[Jore]

I have no centre stand as well, but when I did the front end I used ratchet straps tied to an all metal staircase I have, i also know a guy who uses an a-frame ladder with similar results

[my name is nobody]

I ended up cutting a piece of 2x4 that was the same length as the engine is wide. it fit a little tight between the frame rails.
i located it just rearward of the oil filter housing, and used my harbor freight trolley jack to raise the bike. It was more stable than I expected
but had my son close by in case anything went bad. Worked out great. If I had a choice I'd use the overhead lift method tho. Thanks for all the different suggestions/methods. Hopefully someone can use this information and apply it to their particular equipped type bike

[rosewood]

This may be a little late to the discussion but I managed to assemble my whole bike solo with the use of this trestle style ladder and ratchet straps. have used it several times since and has worked very well...   

[The Lone Builder]

I like that idea!

Good if you’re only working on the front end, but it must restrict access to the rest of the bike.

[Gene]

I know you've gotten a lot of good replies here, just want to iterate that the jack with a block of wood is the way I've done it. And like ekpent said earlier, a little insurance under the front if you're walking away for a while.

[pjlogue]

I agree a jack and block of wood is the easiest.  Don't leave the jack supporting the bike unattended.  If you need to leave it for some time put blocks under the bike just in case the jack's seals aren't good.

-P.

[Kelly E]

I use a scissors jack from the wrecking yard instead of a hydraulic jack, no worries about leaking and easy to work with.

[PGF550F]

With my 750 on the Center stand, I use an adjustable jack stand directly in front of the engine and supported the front end on the frame just below the steering tube/ neck.
 It is way more secure than the janky setup I ran with when I rebuilt the forks and changed the tire on my 550. I guess I learned from that experience. 

[my name is nobody]

I re read this thread and discovered that the method
I used is very similar to the one Bodi suggested. Didn't register till after I was finished. I just studied
the whole situation a second time and went to work. But the contents of this entire thread helped me
look at things a second time through other's experiences. A lot of times, ideas are mentioned that involve
use of common household items (like the ladder) that one might normally not realize as part of a
cool solution to a particular challenge, and it's right in plain sight. I still use caution, but am much more confident than before. These are all excellent ideas. 

[Deltarider]

I like that ladder. Brilliant idea. I myself do it like this:
1) I have a wooden block ready that's exactly the right size.
2) My hands under the front fender raise the front and keep it up there for a second...
3) ... in which my right foot slides the wooden block under the front of the engine. Done.
No ladders, no jacks, just a wooden block. Maybe a CB750 will be too heavy. Works for a CB500/550 though.

[Don R]

 I added some u bolts to my harbor freight lift so I can tie down in the back or middle too, that way I get some safety factor when removing either front or rear ends.  I use an old but reliable scissor jack and put a small piece of plywood under it and the center stand for a softener to provide traction, and use a set of light duty pull down straps that stay with the lift.

[mattsz]

No advice to add to what has already been said... just a funny story:

I had both wheels off a bike once - on the center stand, rear wheel removed first.  Then I propped the front of the frame up with a piece of wood and removed the front wheel - it all looked just a bit dicey, but I actually was surprised how stable it was working on the bike with both wheels off.

As it was front-heavy even without the wheels, it seemed fine without any support beneath the rear end, just the two-point center stand and single front brace - until I made the mistake of casually leaning on the seat - I think I had the manual open there. The bike slowly tipped back - not enough to dump it, but just enough for the front brace to drop to the floor. And there I was, holding the bike, with no wheels, balanced on just the center stand, wondering what the heck are you gonna do now, dumbass?!?

There was a plastic milk crate just close enough for me to reach out with my foot and slide it beneath the rear end to help hold the bike steady enough to reset the front brace - after which I promptly made one for the rear, propping it up by the axle in the swingarm as well...

[ekpent]

 In my younger days I made the mistake of taking both fork springs out while the bike was if I remember was on the side stand. Big mistake ! Even on the center stand your asking for trouble if you take out both with no front end support.

[1976cb750f836]

I have also used automotive Jack stands under the engine while doing front end repair. Using a thick shop rag as a pad, 1 under point cover, 1 under flywheel cover.