Front tyre change without center stand??
 

Hi Guys,
this might be a silly question but how does one get the front wheel off the ground in order to change the tyre on a bike which only has a side stand. Assuming there no one about to help you lift it onto a block. The only way I can think of it is to put the bike on its side on the ground, this seems a rather clumsy way of doing it. Any suggestions would helpful.

Cheers
Stephen.

Front Wheel
 

Hi you could either buy or borrow a rear & front paddock stand or get bike onto a block or milk crate. I can get my TTr600 onto a wooden block on my own qite safley.

If I were stuck out in the field, I'd be looking for some rope (block & pulleys would be good) and tree to hoist it from or a stout branch or timber and some rocks to lever it up and block it.

Hi

Off roading we normally lay the bikes on their side - it's always useful to have someone else about when you are trying to get the axle bolt back in though...

In the workshop I use a trolley jack under the lower suspension pivot - you can quite safely jack the XT quite high enough to put a decent size crate underneath the sump and have both wheels of the ground.

Hope the advice helps.

Cheers Bish

changing front tire
 

It really depends what you want to change the tire into! Every day during the summer I change front tires on bikes without centerstands. I first make sure it has a unbent normal sidestand then I unload the rock collection off the back rack. then just go to the side opposite the sidestand and jack up the frame till the front wheel is off the ground. out in the field I would use a branch or stick. Another way is to tie the bike off to a building, tree, or rock outcropping. just pull it over against the sidestand and tie the rope to hold it there.

Bill

My experience with the XT is that the (standard) sidestand won't take the loading when doing this (It's a pretty weighty machine) - I used to do exactly that, yank it onto the sidestand and spin the rear wheel to lube the chain... I cracked the welds at the top end of the stand and then had to weld it up with extra reinforcement :(

Thanx for the responses.
I guess the typical worst case scenario would be a full tank of petrol, side of a road with no one about and a punctured flat front tyre. From what I can gather one will have to put the bike on its side, ensure petrol tap is off, and repair the front tube...or get a centre stand....does any one know of a stand that would fit a 34L, or has anyone had any experience of making one?

Cheers
Stephen

i'm a bit late on this one but anyway - i've tried all sorts and some systems work better than others. i've broken my sidestand when tipping the bike over so i've stopped doing the tip over and slide crate in trick. easiest and quickest is just drop it. push a rock under the clutch coverplate and that will pick up the front end nicely to do the repair.
happy puncture fixing.

Aerostich sell a mini jack thing which I've used to take off both front and rear wheels. It weighs about a kilo and is about the size of a big spanner.

I know this is an old thread but I'm thinking of buying a centre stand for my xt. But if its ok to just lay the bike on its side then I won't bother.

Although someone has told me before this may cause problems and to never lay a bike on its side for long periods of time.

Is it a problem?

anyone?

I had considered getting a centre stand for the XT too, in the end used a trail stand made by a guy in the US:

Enduro Star / Trail Stand

Its just a basic third leg stand, not amazingly stable but would do for a roadside repair.

I'll see if i can find it, if i can you are welcome to it.:thumbup1:

I cannot see why laying the bike on it side for awhile should cause any problems. With the exception of the petrol tank all the fluid systems on a bike are basically closed and shouldn't be upset by it (assuming they are not running of course). Only issue you occasionally see on some bikes, especially older ones with very basic vent systems, you may have a problem with fuel coming out the tank vent (and then it simply a question of lifting the end of it higher.

My bikes have all at different times spent time on their side for tyre changes and never appears to have had an impact - although I always allow a minute or two for the fluids all to drain back to their correct locations when I stand it up again before I try and start them. Only negative is picking them up again after the tyre change.

Personally I would invest in a centre stand. They are very useful even just for parking :)

Many old Brit bikes had pivotable mudguard stays so you could raise either the front or back wheel for easy removal. I have even seen hinged rear mudguards to make it even easier.

If you have round feet on your centre stand (like Enfields) you can carry little slide on extenders to use for maintenance, or to have big wide feet for parking on soft ground.

2 dollar Crutch Jack?
 

This has been done to death on a number of internet sites over the years, but try searching "crutch jack" on the internet if you're interested. No end to the creativity some have put into these. This is a basic one I use for my dualsport and street bikes up to about 450 lbs. Some skidplates, frame configurations and heavier bikes will sometimes call for something other than the simple rubber crutch tip on the "bike" end in order to get a good purchase on the swingarm, skid plate or frame. Weighs ounces, made from castoff crutches. Acts as a "third leg" depending upon placement, and also works in uneven terrain where a centerstand can sometimes be problematic. Lifts either the front or rear. Goes everywhere I go:

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/...rutchjack2.jpg

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/...rutchrear2.jpg

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/...ps13fed60c.jpg

I like that.
I have a set of old crutches in my junk cupboard, this'll be a use for them I think.

Until now I've always used a bit of 1 X 1 1/2 wood. It took some practice years back, but now I can prop up a medium-weight bike no problem, front or back.
Only ever had one fall over, Honda Dominator, in the garage, I knocked it!

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...psfa6cab63.jpg

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6d3fcb56.jpg

Alone in the Namib desert. Bike is steady enough not to have to take any luggage off. But might fall if I hit it with an elbow. So have to be careful.
Although - only soft sand for it to fall on.

Need to find a suitable stone to put in the ground for the stick to rest on.
The crutch idea will improve on this I think. :thumbup1:

Do a search. This topic often comes up on bike-specific sites, as well. Some folks design various hooks or saddles for the non-foot end to fit a particular bike.

There are also commercial versions, though I've not found them to be worth the price of admission.

It's also a quick and convenient way to lift the rear wheel for chain lubing. I probably use mine 20 times a month.

I've welded oversized feet on most of my kickstands ( I live in a sandpile ). In conjunction with the additional surface area the crutch jacks can be nearly as secure as a centerstand for most trailside repairs.

To keep it as compact as possible note that I shorten both the male and female tubes. Few bikes will require all of the length offered from a typical crutch. Stored length on this one is about 11", including the crutch tips, which are quite thick in the base. It extends to about 18".

I also keep reduced-sized copies of insurance and registration for the bikes the wife and I ride most rolled up inside the tube. We change bikes a lot and I often don't remember to carry the matching paperwork. The crutch is nearly always transfered onto whatever I'm riding so at least I have something to show the gendarmes.

This is brilliant, and very simple. Simple always works for me, might have a pop at it. If I can find the materials (for free).

Thanks (also hope 'donuk' comes through with the trial stand though)