Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..

[Athame57]

I am taking my front wheel off during the weekend and wonder if anyone has a method to share. My issue is that with the front wheel off the unsupported bike tips forward, even with the tank off. I found a scissor jack under the sump (or was it even the oil filter) very unstable so I used a stack of bricks under the oil filter, which can't do it any good. By now you'll guess I do not have a garage to work in. Ideas anyone?

[taysidedragon]

Support the engine under the sump, not the oil filter. Put a flat piece of softwood or old rags in contact with the sump to spread the load and avoid damage.
If possible where you are you could strap the back of the bike down. Use a metal railing or post which isn't going to move!

[ka-ja]

When I had a centre stand, I found that removing the front wheel put the balance backwards onto the rear wheel, packing wasn't required, Mr Honda wouldn't have designed it any other way, ie. a puncture while out riding, miles from anywhere.

[robvangulik]

When I had a centre stand, I found that removing the front wheel put the balance backwards onto the rear wheel, packing wasn't required, Mr Honda wouldn't have designed it any other way, ie. a puncture while out riding, miles from anywhere.

Can you make a picture of yourself doing that? I have never seen a Honda balanced like that, far too much weight on the front, the only time I saw that done was with an older type BMW.
Most Honda's (that I know of) have the whole weight of the engine in front of the main stand.

[Athame57]

When I had a centre stand, I found that removing the front wheel put the balance backwards onto the rear wheel, packing wasn't required, Mr Honda wouldn't have designed it any other way, ie. a puncture while out riding, miles from anywhere.

Somebody must have taught it to sit! Could it sit up and beg as well? 

[bobv7]

Must have had a top box filled with bricks!

[ka-ja]

anyone actually tried it themselves?

[JezzaPeach]

If you have an aluminium step ladder you can form an “A” and use self locking straps to support the bike by the bars or similar. Nice and stable. Easiest with the tank off but not essential.

[Athame57]

anyone actually tried it themselves?

Yes...unsupported it always to fall on it's face. I'm asking here to help me choose a way to support it while working in the open.

[bobv7]

anyone actually tried it themselves?

No, but then it's quite hard to find a bike with a rear wheel weight bias.

A scissor jack platform under the sump works for me.

[Athame57]

If you have an aluminium step ladder you can form an “A” and use self locking straps to support the bike by the bars or similar. Nice and stable. Easiest with the tank off but not essential.

Great idea ....I'll be borrowing my mates ally ladder tomorrow!

[robvangulik]

I always use this, for all my motorcycles from 250 to 1000cc, since more than 30 years.

[SeanFD]

+1 on that; used it many times.

Recently I used an axle stand under the yoke:

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But a solid length of timber wold do also, provided all you want to so is support the bike while you work on the wheel.

[SteveD CB500K0]

Me too Rob.

An ancient scissor jack (I think it came with my first car - a Mk2 Escort in about 1980) and a block of wood.

I also use that to take the weight off the tyres over winter.


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