| Author | Message | ||
     Tempest766 |
What is the recommended way to elevate the front wheel on an XT so that the tire can be changed? Because the engine is the heaviest component (makes the center of gravity forward), putting a scissor jack under the muffler raises the back wheel, not the front. Just ordered a Michellin PR2. Should arrive Thursday or Friday. | ||
| Hughlysses |
What many of us have done is to build a cradle that allows you to use a standard motorcycle jack on the factory jacking points on the muffler. You need to build a wooden cradle using this (or a similar) template: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/ULYSSES_PIPE_TEMPLATE-159411-204887-448574.pdf | ||
| Rwven |
With the bike on the sidestand if you place the jack under the front of the muffler it should lift the front wheel. If not try strapping a bag of something heavy on the back end of the bike. I recommend tying off the sidestand to the frame also.... | ||
| Miibradley |
I used a come along hooked to a rafter in the garage. I also brace it left and right to prevent tipping. Now I have a steering head jack, much easier. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The kickstand thing works better than I would have thought possible. If it's not a pinch though, a long piece of rebar through the rear axle and supported by jack stand on either side will make the whole bike straight up and REALLY stable. Then just jack the front exhaust jack point and lift the front. | ||
| Ratbuell |
...Or if you're going to do this a lot, just pony up for the front and rear pit bull stands and the correct pin for an XB. Lifts the front by the bottom triple tree. | ||
| Fordhotline |
I use a come a long to a hook in my rafter in garage like Miibradley. I wrap strap around my tripple in front. If your carful bike will not tip over on ya. | ||
| Froggy |
Buy some stands, American Sport Bike sells them | ||
| Motorbike |
I have some pics of my lift in here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/521995.html?1260840648 Works great! Keep going to the second page and I also have pics of the rear wheel up on jackstands. You could do that and then raise the front with a small jack under the front of the muffler. | ||
| Arry |
There are two jacking points marked on the stock muffler. One is behind the duoble straps (near the back of the muffler), this lifts the back tire. One is about 4" behind the single strap at the front, this lifts the front tire. This is not very stable, so if you can also strap from a rafter or other aditional support is a good idea. | ||
| Razz |
Just did mine. The front jacking point on the muffler works great.Don't forget the front axle is a left hand thread.Loosen it up first before you jack it up.To tighten it up with torque wrench use a long 3/8 socket extension through the axle and adapter for axle that comes with tool kit, with a long socket put on backwards. | ||
| Tempest766 |
thx guys...since I rent garage space from a little old lady who is a bit of a hoarder I cannot get extravagant with pulleys/comeallongs/etc, but I'll try the front jack point. How difficult/technical is front wheel removal compared to the rear? I swapped the rear tire out earlier this season with minimal fuss. My only point of contention was that miserable (non-adjustable) idler pulley. That thing really should be spring tension loaded. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
There is a funny little dance you have to do to get the caliper off the front. The first time I did it, well... it wasn't pretty  like one of those old pub puzzles with the horse shoes and the chains and the ring. You have to remove the right side of the front fender. You have to get the axle out (of course!) Then you have to get the caliper disengaged from the disk by lifting the wheel so that the right fork leg can rotate out of your way. Then the wheel is yours. | ||
| Uly_man |
"What is the recommended way to elevate the front wheel on an XT so that the tire can be changed?" You can do this with a standard set of front and rear bike lifts. I use a set, dirt cheap and fit most any bike. The OEM can is designed to be jacked if you want. Nothing else is needed so dont know what thats about? | ||
| Ourdee |
I put the rear on a stand then jack the muffler with a floor jack. | ||
| Arcticktm |
I HIGHLY recommend making a wooden cradle out of a 2x4 as the link above shows. then use your standard ATV/cycle jack. Cost me about $3 to make, and I added weather stripping in the cradle to avoid damage to muffler paint. Just avoid jacking up a very hot muffler. It lifts nice and straight, and both wheels come up at same time nicely. Pretty stable and secure, too. | ||
| Tempest766 |
Front tire has been changed and bike inspected for another year. It was actually the easiest maintenance I've done on the bike so far. Putting a scissor jack under the front of the muffler and raising it about two inches gave me plenty of clearance and once I removed the fender and front brake calipers the wheel slid right out the front. Putting the wheel back on was also nowhere as near as difficult as I expected it to be, even in 100+ degree heat. | ||
| Etennuly |
Ohhhh you did not even get to what us really cheap bastards use! I use an 8" cement block with a 1" board on it. Tip the bike onto the side stand a little, push the block under with a foot, and it is floating, I do have the Uly X though. The only important thing to remember is to loosen all of the necessary hardware before lifting the bike onto the block.....you know.....for safety's sake!  | ||
| Rwven |
One note about the wood cradle/ATV jack for the XT. You cannot bolt the cradle to the jack. The XT does not have sufficient clearance under the muffler. I place the cradle under the muffler and then slide the jack in. I then strap the cradle to the jack if I plan to leave the bike on the lift for any amount of time. For small jobs like checking the primary fluid level I don't always bother. | ||
| Rdkingryder |
Bike on side stand, used floorjack on front of muffler, raised bike. No problem.  |
