| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
I didn't want to hijack the other tire changing thread, but it made me think about changing my own tires out next time. For a while, when I was in college I worked for a trucking company and my primary job was changing semi and trailer tires. The Uly tires can't be any more work than that! But, I have a couple of questions that I am ashamed to admit I don't know the answer to. First, what do you use to get the wheel off the ground to change your tires? Do you use stands or a motorcycle jack or something else? Second, I have read so many threads about bad wheel bearings and it being really important to be careful with them, are there special things I should do when taking the wheel on and off to keep from messing anything up? I may not do this myself, as there is a local shop here that I really like and want to support, but saving money is a good thing for me too and it would be very satisfying to learn to do more work on my bike myself. Thanks | ||
| Froggy |
Pitbull stands from American Sport Bike is one way, you can also use a specialy made muffler cradle, once my bike was hung by an engine hoist, and another time hung from the ceiling by tie down straps. In a pinch you could use a log or pretty much anything else solid you can stuff under the muffler and/or swingarm.
Just don't overtorque the axle when reinstalling it, follow the procedure in the service manual (tighten to 25ft-lbs, undo it 2 turns, tighten to 50ft-lbs) | ||
| Someday |
Buy a workshop manual, it's worth every cent if you intend to do your own maintenance. | ||
| Argentcorvid |
For lifting the bike, get a motorcycle/ATV lift and then see this thread | ||
| Reepicheep |
Not a dumb question at all! I was using a motorcycle jack and going through all sorts of drama of straps and headaches and tippy little setups. Then Alex Prior bailed me out when I had a flat in the middle of nowhere. We got the the bike out of his truck and into the garage and I see him wheeling over a normal floor jack. I was thinking "how the hell is that going to help us", and he wheeled the jack under the most rearward section of the exhaust, left the bike leaned over on the side stand, and proceeded to jack the exhaust up so the rear tire was 1" off the ground. So you still have a tripod... side stand, front wheel, and jack. If somebody did whack the thing, it could fall, but it is about as steady as it would be on a side stand normally (which is pretty steady). If the sidestand failed that would be bad, but that's a normal risk working on a bike with a sidestand. It worked brilliantly, and I have used it again since. The only thing I really worry about is kids climbing on the bike in that state (my kids like to sit on my Uly). I suspect the front would work just as well, you just move the jack to the very front of the exhaust. And only do one wheel at a time... which would be a headache if you need to do both and have to take them across town. I change my own, so one at a time is no more work than both together. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Oh, and for the bearings, yes absolutely. Follow the service manual to the letter, and use a torque wrench to put the axle back in, and coat the axle with anti-sieze. The manual has a straightforward but multi step process for putting the axle back. | ||
| Ourdee |
Yes it does work for the front, But I put a stand under the rear then jack up the front of the muffler. | ||
| Xdigitalx |
I removed my front wheel once to replace the rotor, I used a car jack on the muffler, then just leaned it slightly on the side of my house. I will be removing both wheels soon to get tires put on...or do it myself because the last time I paid over 500 for both tires and installation at a dealer, I just don't have the money these days. I have Scorpion Trails waiting. I haven't had the experience of removing the rear wheel yet, and probably could use the practice for when I replace the belt. R&R of the wheel will probably go smooth I guess... the tire?? ...well..I have prescription motrin. How do you seat the beads,... I don't have an air compressor, only have my green slime portable lol. Go to gas station? | ||
| Dynasport |
Thanks for all the info. Now I am paranoid that the shop that I had put new tires on for me a few months ago did not follow the specific instructions in the manual. They are a Biker's Bay franchise who are great folks and have done all the work on my Harley since the dealership seemed to cause a new problem every time I took it in. I have never had an issue with their work and the tech told me he was familiar with working on Buells, but I just wonder if he did the partial torque, backing off the nut, then full torque method. Heck, I wonder if he even used a torque wrench at all. Should I have it removed and redone to be sure or at this point would any damage that was going to take place already have happened? | ||
| Datsaxman |
X Get a 1HP compressor with a tank using some of the $$$ you are going to save. MUCH better to have all of the tools at hand instead of having to leave to get an intermediate step done. And it is a nice tool to have around. I paid < $100 for mine at Sears. Warranty and all that. | ||
| Crusty |
How do you seat the beads,... I don't have an air compressor, only have my green slime portable lol. Go to gas station? That's what I did until I got my compressor. | ||
| Tootal |
If I'm pulling one wheel off I use the floor jack on the muffler. I think the manual tells you to do it that way. If I need to raise both wheels I use a bike jack under the muffler along with some ratchet straps. Just don't tighten the straps real tight at first as they will tighten up as you lift it. Once it's where you want it then snug them up. The rubber strips on the jack keep it from slipping. Some have made wooden cradles to match the muffler radius and that is even better but I haven't had any issues yet. | ||
| Reepicheep |
You *might* be able to use a big wratcheting tie down strap around the circumference of the tire to kind of clamp it down, and then hit it with the little compressor. If you can get the tire to seal, the little compressor will eventually pop it onto the bead. The problem is when you can't initially seal it to build pressure. Use lots of lube so the bead seats easier. I wouldn't spend more than 10 minutes fussing with it if it wasn't working though. | ||
| Ourdee |
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| Xdigitalx |
I was thinking of this little piece: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009153090 00P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12 AND I found this link for a greta tire changing webpage with instructions for home made bead breaker: http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing.html I am just thinking about it for now with money saved from not going to Daytona. |
