Changing Tires

I'm changing the tires on my VFR next week and wondering how I should support the bike when it doesn't have wheels. I get a better deal when I just bring in the wheels. $25 to change and balance. Seems fair to me. My other bikes don't have body panels or a center stand, but they lift real easy with a motorcycle jack. I don't think this would work with the VFR without taking off the panels, and not sure if that would even work.
Can the front wheel be pulled using only the center stand? I've already had the rear off, so I know its not a problem.
Is it safe to leave it on the center stand without wheels? Should I brace the front and rear with a jack?
Thanks for any tips.

sily_rabit, Mar 17 2006, 06:09 PMI'm changing the tires on my VFR next week and wondering how I should support the bike when it doesn't have wheels.  I get a better deal when I just bring in the wheels.  $25 to change and balance.  Seems fair to me.  My other bikes don't have body panels or a center stand, but they lift real easy with a motorcycle jack.  I don't think this would work with the VFR without taking off the panels, and not sure if that would even work.
Can the front wheel be pulled using only the center stand?  I've already had the rear off, so I know its not a problem.
Is it safe to leave it on the center stand without wheels?  Should I brace the front and rear with a jack?
Thanks for any tips.

I have not done it, and there is probably a better way which someone will come along with shortly...

Place on center stand. Place a floor jack with a piece of wood on it under your headers to lift the front off the gorund. Once you have removed the front wheel, place the axle back into the forks and place a jack stand under the axle. Then lower the front end with the jack on to the jack stand and remove rear wheel.

Just be wary of balance transfers when adding/removing things from the bike.

I loosen the rear lug nuts, pull the exhaust, and get front axle nut loose along with the front caliper bolts before I place the bike up on the center stand. I cut a series of 2X4s and screwed them onto each other in a pyramid shape that fits under the headers. Five 2X4s fit perfectly just lifting the front wheel enough to get it off the ground without lowering the rear so much that it contacts the ground preventing removal. Just as a precaution, I throw a ratchet strap around each grip and up over the rafters in the garage. The bike seems pretty stable on the rear stand and the blocks under the headers but I would hate like hell to see it laying on it's side with no wheels to pick it up onto. I don't need an earthquake dumping my bike in the garage. Never had a problem with that method.

yeah
block it up under the headers to get the front off the ground a half inch or so, while on the center stand. You don't need a jack or anything, you can lift the front up by hand and slide the blocks under the headers. Owners manual shows this as well

cozye, Mar 18 2006, 08:30 AM Owners manual shows this as well

Amazing little bundle of information that manual is, eh? Too bad nobody reads it. goofy.gif

The OEM tool kit under the seat should include 5 2X4s and you should have to sign a form requiring you to read your manual.

I use a pitbull front fork stand. A little pricey, but way stable compaired to a block of wood for a prolonged period of time. smile.gif

The last time I changed both tires, I used the centerstand and a paint can under the headers.

As I type, my Vtec is set'n in the garage with wheels off ready to take in Sunday for new shoes.

As has been said; on side stand, break rear lug bolts loose and leave rear wheel on. Put on center stand and block under headers and remove wheels .

With the rear wheel off and/or with the front wheel off the weight is still biased towards the front so it will rest on the center stand and the blocks.

rad, Mar 19 2006, 02:14 AM
As I type, my Vtec is set'n in the garage with wheels off ready to take in Sunday for new shoes. 

As has been said; on side stand, break rear lug bolts loose and leave rear wheel on.  Put on center stand and block under headers and remove wheels .

With the rear wheel off and/or with the front wheel off the weight is still biased towards the front so it will rest on the center stand and the blocks.

Just finished my VTEC's tire change and I did the center stand / block under forks method. It works great but be careful because the bike handles like Sh!t without wheels on it.

vfrvern

I put Pilot Roads on yesterday and used a Handy Industries front and rear stand. Took seconds to get the front and rear off the ground. fing02.gif These stands are quite a bit cheaper than the pitBull stands.