Raising the front wheel...

Hello everyone,

I plan on changing the brake pads soon on my XJ750 and i was wondering if it was safe to raise the front wheel by putting a wooden block under the bike where all 4 of the exhaust pipes merges and rasing it with a jack? This is the only way i can think of getting the front wheel off the ground while the bike is stationary. I've heard of special front wheel stands, but it seems the majority of them are made for modern crotch rockets.

If there is a SAFER and easier way please let me know.



Thanks,
Peter

 

There is alto easier way. I just did my front brakes and calipers.

Put your bike on the center stand.

Remove the two bolts that hold the caliper to the forks.

Slide the calipers off the rotors.

Remove the Allen bolt that is flush in with the caliper.

Pull the pads off.

Remove the cover on the front brake reservoir and use a old turkey baster to suck out some of the brake fluid into a container (do not reuse).

Use a C-clamp to push the caliper piston back so you have more free space to put it back on the rotor.

Grease up the Allen bolt.

Put the pads on, put the Allen bolt back through, and put the assembled caliper back on the forks.

Good luck.

P.S. Don't forget to put new fluid in the reservoir and put the cover back on.

 

Was just looking at my '82 650 Maxim last night because I need to do pads too. Looks to me like bigben69 is exactly right.

 

You got the right idea. You CAN jack-up on the exhaust collector and raise the front wheel safely.

I used liquid nails and glued a piece of carppet to the side of a 2X6. I use the padded 2X6 to protect the collector from being subject to having all the weight on the jack. But, the truth of the mater is ... there ISN'T much weight--at all. The bike will lift very nicely being jacked-up there.

Watch the rear wheel. When the rear wheel touches down ... you'll have plenty of room to roll the wheel out of there.

When you get ready to put the wheel back on ... let a little off the jack and lower the front-end to the point where everything lines-up ... then, putting-in the axle, spacer and speedo drive will be a piece of cake.

 

Another way to do it: Put bike on centerstand. Have wife/girfriend/boyfriend help by sitting on back of seat to raise front end during the procedure. This will eliminate any chance of damaging the pipes. Downside is you will have to fetch your own beverages and tools, unless there is a spare small child available to also help out.

 

The thing is. You don't have to take off the tire just to change the pads. I found it easier replace the pads with the caliper off the forks and upside down in my hand.

 

Silly me... I thought he WANTED to take the wheel off.

 

Alternate suggestion (albeit rather the long way about it). Use a come-along hung from a rafter to secure a sling or something similar around the neck of the machine and lift the bugger up once you have set it on it's center stand. I would also caution you not to lift it more than needed to get the rear tire to touch the ground. Bigben69 has the right idea, I'd follow his lead, safer.

 

I just realize how stupid my question was, haha. I'm used to changing brake pads on cars where the wheel must be removed. Of course on our bikes, the calipers are right there in the open. But thanks for the info fellas. Boy do i feel dumb...

 

My 82 Seca has an aftermarket 4 to 1 exhaust on it so the center stand is long gone. I have a automotive engine lift that I use with a strap around the tp of the triple tree to raise the front end off the ground. The bike wants to move around in this arrangment so I brace the back tire against the wall to help keep it steady. I have been looking at motorcycle lifts but haven't found one that will work with this exhaust. Fortunatly I have only had to take the front tire off once.

 

I just put my bike on the centerstand and throw a couple sandbags on the back of the seat to get the front end up. No girlfriend required.

Although those of you in warmer climates might not have as many sandbags laying around as we do up here...

 

I just put new tires on & did the brakes. Here's what i did to get the front wheel up.

Put the bike on the center stand. Tie a length of rope around the rear grab rail, The loop that around the bottom of a tire on your car (parked a few feet behind the bike). Cinch the rope down till the front wheel lifts, tie it off.

Worked like a champ. :lol:

they don't call me macgyver for nothing...ok no one calls me that, but sometimes..they SHOULD.

 

What ever works to get you going is a good idea (some are just better than others, a little safer too).