Wheel removal

[Seawalker]

Can I remove both the front and rear at the same time or must I do just one and than the other?
1991 GL1500 SE

[offcenter]

How will you hold the bike up with both wheels removed?
Do you have a bike jack, or can you suspend it from the ceiling?
As long as you have a SAFE way of supporting the bike, you can remove the wheels.
Just remember, even without the wheels, a 1500 still weighs somewhere around 800 pounds.

[Seawalker]

Thank you. That’s what I was thinking.

[DenverWinger]

Bike on center stand to remove rear wheel (unless you have a trailer hitch like I do, I have to use use a bike lift). To remove front wheel you usually jack up the front of the engine with bike on center stand to get the front wheel off the ground.

This can safely be done with the rear wheel absent. The rear wheel would be lifted off the ground courtesy of center stand anyway.

[4given]

I agree with Denver but just remember that there are only 3 points balancing the bike either way in the form of a triangle. When the front tire is still on, the triangle is more stable than when the front tire is removed. The points of the triangle are closer together when putting the weight of the bike on the 2 legs of the center stand and 1 jack under the front of the motor.

[Seawalker]

1: Denver, I do have a Black widow lift with the removable panel for the rear wheel.
2: 4given, If after removing the front wheel, could I than lower the front forks to rest on an 8x8 block of wood and keep the jack under the engine to help support while both wheels are off.

[4given]

1: Denver, I do have a Black widow lift with the removable panel for the rear wheel.
2: 4given, If after removing the front wheel, could I than lower the front forks to rest on an 8x8 block of wood and keep the jack under the engine to help support while both wheels are off.

That would definitely be safer than just resting on the jack. I wouldn’t lower the front any farther than it would normally be with the front wheel on the bike.

[4given]

I always try to keep in mind that I’m dealing with an 850 lb motorcycle when lifting or working on my Goldwing.

[Snowmoer]

If you are going to do a lot of work on your bike, get a floor jack like this one. I have used it quite a few times to take both wheels off my wings. I lift the front of the bike under the front of the motor. This type of jack has a large surface area holding the front of the bike compared to a normal floor jack. It is very stable. I also use it to lube the chain on my duel sport. You will also find it is handy in all kinds of other jobs. I even lift my oil drain pan with it so the oil does not splash all over the place when I change the oil on my truck.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ZENSTYLE-110 ... lsrc=3p.ds

Here is it on my lift. I have used it on the ground also.

[Seawalker]

Thank you, that is what I was looking for.

[WingAdmin]

Keep in mind that the bottom of the engine case is EXTREMELY thin cast aluminum, designed to keep oil inside, not to support the weight of the motorcycle.

I will always put small wood pieces on either side of it that contact the frame, so that the front of the bike is supported by the frame, not by the engine case.

[Seawalker]

Thanks for the information.