Some softball, ease of mind questions :)

[Clumzi]

Lets see... first off, I just got the exhaust off and was wondering what to plug the holes with since the exhaust might be off for a while. Some wadded rags and WD-40? The bike is in a covered location now, it isn't out in the rain anymore. Number two, I'm looking around for something to block up the front of the bike in order to make it stable and safe to take the front wheel and forks off. All I've got around here is rocks and maybe a cinder block or two. Should I try to tie down / weight the back of the bike? Should I weight the back of the bike as well as block up the frame underneath the engine? I should be able to think up something myself, but I don't have much in the way of resources here and was hoping somebody might have some creative ideas.

One last thing. I'm toying with the idea of painting the exhaust again now that I have it off (which was easy, I think whoever last had the exhaust off forgot to torque the bolts down). It is hammered. Rust, grime (duh on the grime, but the thing is really grimey), dents... it's gross. What would be a good solvent to hit it with before sanding?

As always, thanks in advance. -nick

[Larry D]

It's kinda hard to answer the first part of your question without being there and seeing what you have to work with. Just make sure it's secure and doesn't tumble over.

As far as the exhaust goes, the first place I'd take it, is the car wash and hit it with the pressure washer.

[SqDancerLynn1]

If you have rafters in your work shop / Just tie it with a couple of
tiedown straps to the celing

[Steve]

I use either a trolley-type floor jack or a bottle jack under the front of the engine.

Another option would be to measure the distance and cut a piece of 2x4 or 4x4 to fit under there and hold it up.

.

[Dogma]

I use either a trolley-type floor jack or a bottle jack under the front of the engine.

Another option would be to measure the distance and cut a piece of 2x4 or 4x4 to fit under there and hold it up.

.

The scissor jack out of your car's trunk is awesome for this. It's very easy to adjust the height of the front end for installing the front axle without having to hold the front wheel up in the air.

[Clumzi]

Sweet, I think I've got some ideas for blocking up the bike. I'll use the jack out of my van if I don't feel safe with using anything laying about. So what about something to plug the exhaust port holes and a solvent for cleaning the exhaust? -nick