Hi

Where can I buy/find a rod thing to enable to take my back wheel out whilst on the road? Last time I had a flat tyre, I laid the bike down as there was nothing to prop it on, and then flooded the carb. ummm

Thanks

Fern

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https://fernsforays.wordpress.com/

I used to have a thing called a "lift stick" (see Workshop Accessories ).

Basically a screw jack or some sort of adapted cable tensioner sold at an inflated price (and righly pictured alongside that bodgers delight the scotch lock!) . I wouldn't touch one if there is anyway to get a real centre stand fitted to the bike (the stand would be lighter too), poor quality, unstable and likely to result in the whole lot crashing down on you.

Andy

Yes, a 'liftstick' type thing needs practice to use but on a light bike I've found it OK.

Mine's a piece of wood about 3/4 inch X 1 1/2 inch (2cmX4cm planed I think) which is light enough and fits anywhere. And is fine for use on my TTR250 (which isn't that light a 250).

The ends are just the end-grain of the wood so grip OK on whatever you prop up.

Before deciding to rely on this for a long journey I did try it out a couple of times at home on the front wheel and surprised myself how well it worked. (Steering lock on, but you MUSTN'T bump the bike once elevated! )

This is in the Namib desert:




Using it on the rear wheel is easier such that I propped the rear up maybe every 2 or 3 days to oil the chain.

A have seen Africans often lie a bike down to do wheel work - never tried it myself - but maybe turning the petrol taps off would fix the flooding problem.
(Thinking about it, I have laid my bike down quite a few times, in a 'practised manner', and not had trouble restarting. Maybe the key, for puncture repairs, is to lay the bike down with the engine running and then switch off!)

On the other hand, if you can fit a centre stand, that would bring a touch of sanity to the whole arrangement......

Hope to see you at the Ace on 3rd.

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town