Can I jack up a bike on the manifold/downpipe or sump?

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

+1 that is the way to do it for sure ... depending on how far you lean it, what 70% of the load is then on the sidestand, so no change of damaging the engine!!!!

Trying to use an under fork stand will make the wheel change hard as invariably there isn't exactly 50/50 weight distribution, so one leg end up higher than the other at trying to put spindle back in time

Never had that problem, but my paddock stands are pretty well set up so the bike doesn't lean. Same with the ZX10R stands, the spindles just slide straight through and into place.

Have you got a puncture or just need some tread? If the latter I'd take the bike in and let them do it.

Worth buying front stand, they aren't that expensive - try Busters Accessories on t'net.

I had to support my old Bandit while I had the forks out, rear stand was ok but my front stand was elsewhere, so I chopped a huge branch off next door's tree and wedged it in under the centre of the bottom yoke after jacking the bike up on the downpipes. When I wanted the bike higher, I just kicked the branch in a bit more after jacking it up.

[northwind]

I used to put the Virago up on bricks Would have been very easy to knock it over though. Not being funny here but a paddock stand can cost as little as ?20, but having the bike fall over while you try and balance it on a pile of bits of wood could cost as much as a grand if you try hard enough. If you really want to do it without a stand, do you have a garage or stepladder you can suspend it from?

Alrighty then. I'm gonna hang the front from the sky! Or over the garage rafters with the ratchet straps I just ordered from ebay. Nice one Cyril.


Should I hang it from the screen or the indicators?


Incidentally I can't afford a stand cos I've bought far too much recently and am putting a stop to non essential spending for the time being (tyres, screen, three different lots of sliders, large socket set-enough?!) (Oh yeah and a trackday)

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

Alrighty then. I'm gonna hang the front from the sky! Or over the garage rafters with the ratchet straps I just ordered from ebay. Nice one Cyril.


Should I hang it from the screen or the indicators?


Incidentally I can't afford a stand cos I've bought far too much recently and am putting a stop to non essential spending for the time being (tyres, screen, three different lots of sliders, large socket set-enough?!) (Oh yeah and a trackday)

You can borrow my stand, but you'd have to come and get it

And bring the damn thing back

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

Alrighty then. I'm gonna hang the front from the sky! Or over the garage rafters with the ratchet straps I just ordered from ebay. Nice one Cyril.


Should I hang it from the screen or the indicators?


Incidentally I can't afford a stand cos I've bought far too much recently and am putting a stop to non essential spending for the time being (tyres, screen, three different lots of sliders, large socket set-enough?!) (Oh yeah and a trackday)

I've hung my bike off the garage beams before, here are some tips:

Firstly make sure the beams are strong enough - depending on your weight, pullups on it and it not creaking/moving an inch are a good indication they are strong enough, particularly if you're not planning on hanging all the weight of the bike on it.

Try and hang the bike as close to where the beam joins the wall as possible; not in the middle of the span.

Definately make sure you know how to use ratchet straps and practice winding/unwinding them before use (my mate didn't know and I ended up having to swap positions with him with the bike swaying about so I could undo them).

Having a second pair of hands is almost essential, even if you're a fairly big strong bloke. The second pair of hands, provided they can operate a ratchet strap don't need to be strong at all.

If you only need the front wheel out, leave it in gear and make sure the back wheel is touching the floor. Get a mate to steady it whilst you ratchet it up. If you only need the back wheel out, cable tie the front brake on.

Arrange the ratchet straps so the mechanism is at a height where it is not touching the bike/beam and is easily accessible. Also try and get the hooks touching each other, rather than the bike as they might scratch it (and won't spread the load as nicely as a strap running across a larger area). Wherever strap run across the bike, put rags between them and the bike to stop them rubbing (it'll also create a bit of friction and help prevent the straps sliding about).

HTH

I have two extended axle stands that the bungs sit in and any bike is as solid as a rock

Done it, done it!




I found it easy enough. Who needs a paddock stand?!

I like 675s.