Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: Athame57 on September 04, 2020, 11:02:23 PM

Title: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: Athame57 on September 04, 2020, 11:02:23 PM
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?
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: taysidedragon on September 05, 2020, 12:13:30 AM
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!
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: ka-ja on September 05, 2020, 09:24:13 AM
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.
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: robvangulik on September 05, 2020, 09:51:34 AM
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.
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: Athame57 on September 05, 2020, 10:30:10 AM
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?  ;D
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: bobv7 on September 05, 2020, 11:30:49 AM
Must have had a top box filled with bricks! :P
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: ka-ja on September 05, 2020, 07:59:04 PM
anyone actually tried it themselves?
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: JezzaPeach on September 05, 2020, 08:47:58 PM
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.
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: Athame57 on September 05, 2020, 11:05:28 PM
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.
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: bobv7 on September 05, 2020, 11:06:23 PM
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.
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: Athame57 on September 05, 2020, 11:07:22 PM
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!
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: robvangulik on September 05, 2020, 11:50:44 PM
I always use this, for all my motorcycles from 250 to 1000cc, since more than 30 years.
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: SeanFD on September 06, 2020, 07:33:43 AM
+1 on that; used it many times.

Recently I used an axle stand under the yoke:

[attach=1]

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.
Title: Re: Supporting CB400F with front wheel off..
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on September 06, 2020, 08:03:18 AM
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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