Need to jack up front end of 550. How??

I need a way to lift up the front end of my Maxim 550 so I can slide off the forks, and put fork gaiters on, her headlight bracket, etc. But how?

I figured could use a car jack with a 2x4 and stands if i had to...but there doesn't seem to be a good spot on the frame anywhere. I don't want to lift it from underneath the headers do I???

 

cant say about your bike, but under the headers is common in sport bike world. but the key to lifting the front by any means is to have a way to secure the rear first.

but when you don't have a pin head stand as an option, a scissor style moto jack is nice. or ratchet strap around the steering stem to the rafters works well. plenty of creative ways to life a front. just like there are ways to do the rear, but get that rear part sorted out first

you have the center stand?

could also just put a little weight on the back to get the tire off.

 

Yeah I thought about doing the hatchet strap/rafter strategy originally. I do have a center stand. I might try that idea to see if I get enough clearance! Thanks!

So are you saying, with sports bikes, its common to lift a bike by placing the jack under the headers? Im just worried about creating dents. Not sure how sturdy the metal in exhaust headers are. 45o pound bike and all.

 

Put it on the center stand. Strap the tand to the front of the frame so it cannot close. Put bags of sand on the rear portion of the seat until the rear tire is on the ground and the front is in the air.

Don't lift it by the headers or the collector.

For exta insurance you can use a block of wood to spread the load across the oil pan while using an automotive jack.

 

Should that give me enough clearance the slide the fork tubes off?

 

Got any weights laying around. Put the bike on the center stand get some rope tie it to the rear end and add some weight till the front end goes up. Or if you have a garage with some beams exposed get something like a tie down or rope tie it to the frame to keep the front end suspended in the air.

 

take off the tire................

 

I tried the center stand thing and lifted the front with hatchet straps to the garage rafters...and it worked! it was perfect! thanks guys.