Where to support your bike?

[wirelessguy]

Quick question before I try this.

I have an 82' GS1100EZ and I'd like to jack it up (both to remove/install my tank and carbs as well as do some general maintenance (but not remove the engine itself).

I have a motorcycle ATV jack but I noticed that the oil pan sits slightly beneath the frame itself. If I place the jack underneath from the side it will rest on the front and back of the oil pan cover.

1. Is it safe to jack the bike on the pan cover?
2. If so, Is it safe to leave it like that for the winter, or just temporarily?

I do have a stand for the rear wheel but would need to buy another if I were to try and keep the tires off the ground any other way (not very important this year as I need to new set of tires anyhow.

Thanks.

[chuck hahn]

I would lay a piece of 1x4 across the jack surfaces under the oil pan area that will extend all the way across the frame. Then add some wood at the back to shim up the rear of the lift frame so the bike jacks up level on your lift..I dont personally like to jack directly in contact with my oil pans.

[wirelessguy]

I would lay a piece of 1x4 across the jack surfaces under the oil pan area that will extend all the way across the frame. Then add some wood at the back to shim up the rear of the lift frame so the bike jacks up level on your lift..I dont personally like to jack directly in contact with my oil pans.

Not quite sure I follow. The pan sits in between (and slightly under) the frame itself the only thing I would be able to do would be something like notch out a 2x4 so that the dip in the oil pan remains free while the wood holds up the frame.

I'm not sure how easy that would be since the Motorcycle/ATV jack slides in sideways and you'd want the 2x4 to be perpendicular to the rubber jack arms.

[tkent02]

What's wrong with the center stand?

[wirelessguy]

What's wrong with the center stand?

:-)

Bike came without a center stand.

I'm going to guess that the V&H street made PO remove it. I've swapped to a V&H sidewinder and bought a center stand that I've yet to install (needs some repainting). If it does in fact fit than I'll install it and prob temporarily jack the bike to get it in place.