Taking off the front wheel?
 

Any ideas about how to securely suspend the Superhawk to take off the front wheel for tire replacement?
I have a rear track stand, hydraulic lift for flat bottom engine pan bikes and some car jacks.. but how to suspend the front end so that I can take the front wheel off?

I like to use the rear stand, two ratchet tie downs, and a small floor jack. Throw the tie downs over anything half way sturdy like garage rafters, garage door rails, a large tree limb, anything really. The jack and rear stand will be supporting the weight, the tie downs are simply to keep the bike from flopping over off the jack. Finding the "sweet spot" for the jack can be a pain. The middle of the oil pan (good flat spot) is too far back! (doh).

Since I change my own tires, I do this alot and can/have do it without the tiedowns. It's freakin' nerve racking and I don't recommend it as I've had a close call before.

TIP: break ALL fasteners loose first before jacking/supporting. On the reinstall, only hand tighten before lowering the front but keep it on the rear stand, torque bolts, done.

A flat lift has interference problems with the front head pipe.

Another "iffy" method I don't recommend.

Leave bike on sidestand. Break all fasteners including axle till hand tight, place jack on front right side of motor and lift. This forces the front end up and the bike to the left placing the weight on the sidestand and rear tire.

I use one of these on mine with 2 pieces of flat steel going across the jack. Line up the steel with the fins on the oil pan, as long as you tie it down it works great.

I just took mine off yesterday, and I used a front and rear jack, two seperate jacks, worked fine....fact I have both wheels off right now, that is sad no riding for me at the moment.....

Mine is apart right now.
Rear on home-made stand and front hanging by tie downs attached to lag bolts in overhead floor joists.

I loop the tie downs under the upper triple tree clamp so I don't impinge on anything important. Also helps keep any pressure off the windscreen.

For those who have their bikes on kacks right now, please take a picture of how the bike is up on jacks.

Thank you

A couple of pictures of my Superhawk:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...y/DSC03006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...y/DSC03007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...y/DSC03002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...y/DSC03003.jpg

Here ya go just remember to use tie downs, I cracked my right fairing because I was lazy. Align it so that the exhaust doesn't sit on the jack.

Thanks for the detail pictures..

Any chance you could take a picture of the overall "jacked-up" bike view? :mrgreen:

I'm in search of the steel bars now..

Just remember to use the tie downs this is just so you could see it. Oh and I think I got the steel from the local auto parts store or Home Depot.

So where do you secure the tie-downs in that picture?? :confused:

I didn't have them on because I was just demonstrating but it's easy. Well you don't have fairings so you won't have to worry about that. Do you see the little tabs on the jack? Go from the front tab to the frame where the trellis part is and hook it to the part that connects the 2 main peices of the frame near the choke. In the back I use the v part of the frame where the back of the engine lines up with the frame under the tank. if you're still confused I'll set it up and take another picture.

I get the idea now, thank you for the clearification.. :mrgreen:

Now, if only I could find some steel bars..

No problem, good luck.

cat sorry for hijacking you post ,
just a quick question what radiator did you use on your bike
Cheers

The radiator is from a 2001 or 2002 CRB929RR, it was a little larger than the space allow, it had to be cutted and sealed by a radiator shop.. no leak so far.. and no overheating.. I'm waiting for the 100 degree day when I get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.
I'm running Mobil DELVAC diesel truck oil in the engine, minimize the vescocity break down due to high engine temp.
I'm planning to get my exhaust headers ceramic caoted so the exhaust heat does not get trapped around the radiator.. already did that to my other bikes with great (bling) result:

For my 1987 BMW K75:

Attachment 31838

Attachment 31839

For the 2000 Honda VFR800:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...t/DSC02885.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...t/DSC02886.jpg

If you are going to do a bit of work on your bike, or you own more than one I would suggest getting a front stand for it.

Not that dear and easy to use.

that looks badass, how much does something like that run to do the hawk??

Some body has a trashed out garage....lol....I guess I can't talk, I will shot pics of my bike up on jacks so you can see what it looks like....

Here are the pics...

You think that looks bad you should've seen it 2 months ago.:cry: My wife ranks on me all the time about it too I've got to put the damn steel building up.

Where can one get this piece of work?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...hawk996005.jpg

YOu would have to google it, or look on ebay....That is where I got the back one ebay....I think the same seller had the front as well....A friend gave me this one as it didn't fit his 636.....Lucky me.....

here is the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...46432916QQrdZ1

on my old GSXR, I would use the right frame rail, the back tire, and the kickstand to hold the front end up.
For the FIRESTORM I will be using a front stand(cheap insurance).

Now THAT looks scary!

ya think!!

Runs about $100-$150. Google ceramic exhaust coating.


As for stands, I bought two for $99 (shipping included) from....
http://stores.ebay.com/Delle-Designs

Seem to be comparable to Pitbull stands. I'll find out soon enough.


Karl

I'll look for myself but just curious did you get the one with spools or do the have one for swingarm?

Mine is for swing arms, I never even looked for spools, since my bike is spool free...lol..

Well thank you Cliff, but I was referring to the one 3DO2 bought, I know they're out there but didn't know if the one he's getting had it. That's a smoking deal for what looks like a well made stand and I was just informed that I was getting one for fathers day.:twisted: Oh and F those F'n Mavs!! Son OF A BIAOTCH.:cry: Hope we can make it interesting when they get home.