Removing front wheel (when on the road)

[buffalodave]

Does anybody have advice on removing the front wheel when bike is on center stand? eg. in case of flat front tire while on a road trip? And no, my fat-a***** GF does not travel with me on the road. So much for the counterweight idea!

 

[EricV]

I made a metal bar that hooks on the Rumbux cross bar and props the bike back so the rear wheel is on the ground, (just), and the front is off the ground. It fits in the sadddle bag. It was just a piece of light tin channel I had from the crossbar of a Uhaul box for hanging clothes.

You could find a piece of wood like a 2x2 and cut a notch or Vee into it so it can be used against your skid plate or the header pipes as a prop. It's not taking a lot of weight when the bike is on the center stand.

This can be used to remove both wheels as well, with some caution. Rear first, then front. I'll be doing this on Friday in PA to get tires changed away from home.

Alternately, improvise with what you can find laying around to prop up the bike. Worst case, just put the bike on it's side. People have been doing that forever for road side tire repairs.

 

[buffalodave]

Thanks for the ideas EricV. I will as you suggested make up a prop for the skidplate, and pack it in one of my Jesse bags. I will also, as recommended by another forum member - to tie strap the center stand to the frame to prevent inadvertent folding of stand during wheel removal.

 

[EricV]

The tie strap is not a bad idea. In the garage at home, I just use an old scissor jack to prop up the front when I need to have the forks free, for maintenance or triple tree stuff. Normal wheel changes I use the wheel stand, but you can't pack that on the road.

 

[Obrianmcc]

How about the Trail Stand?

 

[tomatocity]

Eagle Mfg, Quick Stand http://www.eaglemike.com/Quick-Jack-qj.htm

I carry this on my KLR and should start carrying it on my Tenere.

For a front wheel removal you should put the bike on the side stand, use the Quick Stand (on the throttle side) to raise forks high enough to remove the front wheel.

I will test this tomorrow. Its raining so might as well do something motorcycle.