How do you work on your bike?

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picma · #1 Unread post by **picma** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:43 am

I have just bought a 1994 Honda Shadow 600. This bike as you know does not have a centerstand. It's been 15 years since I last had a bike and it did have a centerstand. How do you guys change the oil or oil the chain on these bikes without having a centerstand. I have looked on the web and seen several ideas, such as the 6x8 piece of wood you put under the motor. But I don't see a place where I can do that without putting presure on the motor itself or bending something. Please tell me how you do it.

#2 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:07 am

One of THESE.

Wizzard · #3 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:12 am

I have a bro who owns a muffler shop and he makes lifts out of muffler pipe that work on the fulcrum principle . And works rather well I might add . Cost me a whopping $35.00USD. Wrapped an old towel and secured it with masking tape to the bar that holds the scoot to avoid damaging any paint . Ya see , my bike is so low that I can't even get an oil pan underneath it .
As far as oiling the chain , ya can always have someone sit and walk your scoot along while ya do that .
Oh and btw , welcome to the forums picma .
Kind regards, Wizzard

picma · #4 Unread post by **picma** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:58 am

Thanks guys. Some great ideas. I might try to make something.....gives me something to do while it's raining.

#5 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:19 am

kickstand holds it high enough

Aggroton · #6 Unread post by **Aggroton** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:08 am

i use a ramp and cinderblocks....

ronboskz650sr · Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:17 am

For wheel removal, I ratchet strap the opposite end to my workbench leg with two straps at a total angle of 90 degrees to each other attached to the lower shelf in holes I drilled for that purpose. Then I just put a low car jack under my center stand brackets (you can jack on the engine , too.) The unstrapped end comes right up. Secure it with jackstands under the frame, or swingarm or engine guard...whatever you can find, and you can maintain/repair to your heart's content.

I do forks, steering head, chain/sprocket replacement, pretty much anything that needs a wheel up. We had ratchet straps and jacks/stands already, so this was a freebie.

ultimax · #8 Unread post by **ultimax** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:39 pm

Here's how I raise my Virago 125 to lube/tighten the chain. I can drain the bike's engine oil without having to raise it.

1. Block / brick under the sidestand

2. Car jack from a scrap yard (couple of bucks) under the swing arm

3. Raise the bike

The pic's a bit misleading. No part of the bike touches the jack other than at the swingarm.

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