Wheel removal tips

[OTTERCOMET]

My 82 Interstate needs new rubber front and back. Does anyone have any tips regarding removing both front and rear wheels at the same time. I have reviewed the GL1100 "how to" guides for each wheel. Just wondering, before I start this job, if there are any safeguards I should put in place so the bike doesn't drop backwards or forwards?

[virgilmobile]

If you want safe..don't do that..just one at a time..You loose the 3 solid points of contact.Even with a jack at the front of the engine it's just too unstable..Unless you have a overhead beam to tie it to.

[quasi2008]

had both off of mine for a couple weeks. I put it on the center stand and placed a jack stand under the frame crossbar at front of engine. it was plenty stable enough, and I continued to work on the bike. it never moved.

[WingAdmin]

I've done it before. I use a motorcycle jack (which gives it a flat surface to rest on) plus four tight tie-down straps. In this case of the PC800 in the picture, I lifted it under the engine, and used a trolley jack to give it more support at the back in order to remove the rear wheel.

PC800 no wheels

I usually do this when changing tires, to prevent multiple trips to the shop to mount tires - I bring both wheels and both new tires, demount the old ones, mount the new ones, and then come home.

[WingAdmin]

I love this one...is it actually a motorcycle?

PC800 in pieces

[DenverWinger]

Last year I bought a HF Motorcycle lift so I could change rear tire on my 1500, having a trailer hitch prevents removing the rear fender so you can get the wheel out, so the bike must go up in the air.

Well, with bike on centerstand, I cannot get the lift far enough to the rear of the bike to get center of gravity, when I start to lift only the front of the bike goes up, it is rear-heavy.

The solution: I put four cinderblocks behind the rear tire, two end-to-end, and two more beside them, making a nice stable raised pad where I can put my little floor jack, and lift the rear of the bike with the floor jack on the trailer hitch. Up an inch on the HF Lift, then up an inch on the floor jack. another inch on the lift, then the jack. Repeat until you are nicely in the air.

You might think this a little scary lifting by the trailer hitch, but in reality all the weight is on the HF lift, the floor jack just making up for the rear-heavy bike. I doubt there's 50 lbs being lifted by the trailer hitch.

And this makes the 1500 really stable when up in the air, too! Most certainly could do both wheels at once.

I should've taken pics with it in the air, but have none. Maybe next time.....

[OTTERCOMET]

Thanks for all the input - based on replies, it would appear I have to decide how much risk I can live with.

[WingAdmin]

Last year I bought a HF Motorcycle lift so I could change rear tire on my 1500, having a trailer hitch prevents removing the rear fender so you can get the wheel out, so the bike must go up in the air.

Well, with bike on centerstand, I cannot get the lift far enough to the rear of the bike to get center of gravity, when I start to lift only the front of the bike goes up, it is rear-heavy.

My solution is to lift the bike with the center stand up, and the jack moved rearward. It takes a little bit of trial and error to find the center of gravity so that it lifts front and rear equally. I have the bike on the side stand, then rock it upright as the jack gets pushed underneath. It's then lifted up and the bike pops right up. I can then pull the rear wheel right out (I have a hitch too, so I have the same issue as you do - rear wheel has to be dropped down out of the bike).

[quasi2008]

I forgot to mention that my bike is stripped down right now, no bags or fairing and most everything else off of it.

[DenverWinger]

I have a hitch too, so I have the same issue as you do - rear wheel has to be dropped down out of the bike.

Next rear tire change I'll try the '1800 style' tire change and give her a Nap on the right side. Thinking with the left bag off and the left muffler swung to free the axle, once the axle is out should be able to get the wheel out that way. I'll do it in the garage, but it would be a good exercise in "do-ability" should the emergency need ever arise on a trip where there's no lift.....