Need some advice on supporting front end

[mickdaddy]

I am replacing my steering head bearings this weekend and need to find a way to support the front end of the bike since I wont be able to use my stands. My current plan is to just put a ladder over the bike and use some ratchet straps tied around the frame sliders. The ladder feels like a flimsy piece of junk but I use it all the time so I see no reason why it couldn't support the 200-300 lb portion of the bike for a few hours. Any glaring flaws you guys see with this approach? This sounds kinda lazy but ideally I'd like to be able to get the front high enough so I can pull out the forks and wheel as one piece but I don't know if that will be possible with this setup

[Imbeek]

Check this thread from a week or two ago. You will probably need to remove the front tire...

HF Shop Crane

[Chippertheripper]

Have you no beams you can loop in that garage?

[typeone]

i've done the ladder + straps trick in the past (as well as garage door rails + straps), worked fine. i removed the front wheel before tearing the rest down.

[golden chicken]

I'd use jack stands under the frame sliders if they clear the fairings enough.

[aldend123]

I've not tried the ladder method but I thought it was pretty standard practice? Loop it to the ceiling too.

Or put the rear tire up on a swing arm stand, remove the lower fairings, and see if there's a spot you can lift the front with a jack. This method can be a little sketchy though as the front of the bike isn't supported so it could fall off the jack. If the ladder makes you nervous, combine the ladder and floor jack.

[nhbubba]

Worked for me.



Jack stands under the sliders works too.

[TheIglu]

Just kick it over and lay it on it's side. WAY easier.

[jasnmar]

Just kick it over and lay it on it's side. WAY easier.

I do that just to change the rear tire...

[Stevie]

Wanna use my lift?

[Sidavong]

I was talking to a buddy of mine who has a harley with bags and that thing is heavy and chromed out with lots of flake in his paint. How do people lift bikes like that usually? Center stand jack? No spots for stands like street bikes. I just feel bad that i have the tools and such but no clue on how to position the bike to swap out tires and the such.

[jasnmar]

1500 lb. Capacity ATV/Motorcycle Lift

I bought a dedicated MC jack for my GL. Never used it, but something like this is common for baggers.