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    jacking the bike up

    how do you guys jack up your bikes when you need to get both tires off the ground? I have a bike lift, but im afraid to use it since it would rest on the headers. Do you guys lift on the headers, is there a bracket than can be fitted to the lift or frame, or do you guys remove the headers? Im afraid of the bolts snapping in the head if i pull the headers, so a alternative to that would be ideal if anyone knows of one.

    #2
    I think people usually get some wood blocks or something between the headers so you can get the weight on the engine/frame/whatever. Or if you have a garage with substantial rafters, hoist it up.

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      #3
      Originally posted by spyderrocs View Post
      how do you guys jack up your bikes when you need to get both tires off the ground? I have a bike lift, but im afraid to use it since it would rest on the headers. Do you guys lift on the headers, is there a bracket than can be fitted to the lift or frame, or do you guys remove the headers? Im afraid of the bolts snapping in the head if i pull the headers, so a alternative to that would be ideal if anyone knows of one.
      Why do you need to get both tires off the ground at the same time?

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        #4
        Put some wood under the frame and make sure everything lines up right. Use a couple of ratchet tie-downs to secure the bike to the jack so it won't fall off.

        Start to jack the bike bike up and make sure that you have good balance. Remeber, when you pull the first wheel off, the weight distibution will change and the bike may tip. Jack it only as high as you absolutely need. Its best to have a helper around the first couple of times you do it.
        1981 GS 450L

        2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

        The good we do no one remembers.
        The bad we do no one forgets.

        Mark 5:36 -- Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe".

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          #5
          I never had any problems jacking on the pipes but then again my bike weighs less than the 1100 does.

          If your concerned, take only one wheel off at a time.
          1981 GS650G , all the bike you need
          1980 GS1000G Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

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            #6
            I use the centerstand and a couple of heavy duty straps from the handlebars to a beam above. Usually, if I am taking both wheels off at the same time I am doing something serious, so the header is often removed at that point. Then I take a 2' piece of round bar and place it under the front forward motor mounts and jack it from the oil pan, and put jackstands under the bar on each side.
            Currently bikeless
            '81 GS 1100EX - "Peace, by superior fire power."
            '06 FZ1000 - "What we are dealing with here, is a COMPLETE lack of respect for the law."

            I ride, therefore I am.... constantly buying new tires.

            "Tell me what kind of an accident you are going to have, and I will tell you which helmet to wear." - Harry Hurt

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              #7
              If all else fails you can just turn it upside down the way we used to with our bicycles!
              1981 GS 450L

              2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

              The good we do no one remembers.
              The bad we do no one forgets.

              Mark 5:36 -- Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe".

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                #8
                hahahahaha. I was just thinking that.

                so far i have only needed to lift my bike once, and it was a jerry rig of milk crates and 2by4s

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                  #9
                  yea i have a rafter with hooks i put in, but i have a motorcycle lift too. Lifting the harley is easy since its just frame under there, but the gs has the headers and i wasnt sure if they could take the weight.

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                    #10
                    I agree... why both tires at the same time? I've been able to do everything with just one wheel on the ground at a time. And I did it with just a friend and a block of wood.

                    First off, just remove the headers; it's not that big of a deal to drop the pipes. With the new V&H I have to do it for every oil change anyway apparently.

                    I put the bike on the centerstand. Then I moved around to the back of it and leveraged the front off the ground. A friend put a wood block under the front of the frame. If need be, we yould have gone around the rear and lifted and kicked in another block, but we didn't see any need.



                    Edit: just read you have a lift. Just pull the headers

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                      #11
                      I use the centerstand and brace a twelve pack beer cooler under the bike:-D
                      1983 GS 1100E w/ 1230 kit, .340 lift Web Cams, Ape heavy duty valve springs, 83 1100 head with 1.5mm oversized SS intake valves, 1150 crank, Vance and Hines 1150 SuperHub, Star Racing high volume oil pump gears, 36mm carebs Dynojet stage 3 jet kit, Posplayr's SSPB, Progressive rear shocks and fork springs, Dyna 2000, Dynatek green coils and Vance & Hines 4-1 exhaust.
                      1985 GS1150ES stock with 85 Red E bodywork.

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                        #12
                        Isn't beer versatile.
                        :) The road to hell is paved with good intentions......................................

                        GS 850GN JE 894 10.5-1 pistons, Barnett Clutch, C-W 4-1, B-B MPD Ignition, Progressive suspension, Sport Demons. Sold
                        GS 850GT JE 1023 11-1 pistons. Sold
                        GS1150ES3 stock, V&H 4-1. Sold
                        GS1100GD, future resto project. Sold

                        http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/P1000001.jpg
                        http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/P1000581.jpg

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                          #13
                          I use the centerstand, and then remove the fuel tank, and use 2 soft hooks around the foreward fueltank standoffs, and a simple come-along hoist. Hoist the front end up a few inches as needed.

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                            #14
                            I picked-up this scissor jack for $3.00 at a flea market. I wedged a little block of wood in the top, made a finger-twist handle and presto!
                            I use it all the time, especially when washing the bike ...allows me to scrub both tires and rims as I can rotate them freely ......apologies for the dirty bike, been riding much lately.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by cberkeley View Post
                              I picked-up this scissor jack for $3.00 at a flea market. I wedged a little block of wood in the top, made a finger-twist handle and presto!
                              I use it all the time, especially when washing the bike ...allows me to scrub both tires and rims as I can rotate them freely ......apologies for the dirty bike, been riding much lately.

                              I wish my bike was that "dirty"

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