It's come to the time when I need to ditch the OEM fitted Metzelers for some new rubber so I've been shopping around for deals. Most of the local stealers (Glasgow area) are adding a chunk to the price if they have to take the wheels off the bike, £20 a wheel seems a bit steep to me but it's a while since I've bought any bike tyres....
What tools would I need to take the wheels off? I only have a paddock stand, and even with it the back looks awkward as the bobbin hooks look a if they might get in the way of access to the axle. For the front I have no idea....
Anyone got any ideas for where to find a good deal on a pair of tyres or recommended type (I know.... this is a personal preference thing)
Thank!
Getting the wheels off
Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators
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Aladinsaneuk
- Aprilia Admin
- Posts: 9503
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
- Location: Webfoot territory
personally, i let the stealers do it - they have the gear - with out a front stand you will be buggered imho - and the rear is easy to do but getting the stealer to do it ensures the chain is right....
Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...
Fitting tends to be about £10 a wheel where I go.
Sometimes I've taken loose wheels, sometimes ride-in / ride-out.
If you have a stand like an Abba or Ulti-pro that lifts close to the centre of the bike, then a trolley-jack with a block of wood under the engine has done it for me as it's taking very little load. Wouldn't do this using a rear stand that lifts nearer the rear wheel though.
Of course it's one of these "at your own risk" things.
Sometimes I've taken loose wheels, sometimes ride-in / ride-out.
If you have a stand like an Abba or Ulti-pro that lifts close to the centre of the bike, then a trolley-jack with a block of wood under the engine has done it for me as it's taking very little load. Wouldn't do this using a rear stand that lifts nearer the rear wheel though.
Of course it's one of these "at your own risk" things.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
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HowardQ
- World Champion
- Posts: 3921
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:20 pm
- Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
As Andy says, it is easy enough, I have never had a problem with front or rear.
Agreed you need something like an Abba stand, I use an Ultipro, not cheap but well built and wouldn't be without it. I generally do the wheels one at a time, as it is a bit easier. With the Ultipro it takes well under 30 mins to get the rear wheel out, probably 15 or so.
Front is a bit more of an issue unless you have a front paddock stand, trying to use a rear paddock stand is generally a waste of time as you need to be able to get at the pinch bolts for the front axle.
If you have a garage with any sort of roof beams it's dead easy.
I put the bike on the Ultipro so rear wheel is in the air, then get a mate or even the wife to help by sitting on the pillion to lift the front wheel. I run a nylon rope around the headstock and a roof beam, tie it up nice and tight then let the wife get off the back!
My bike has a belly pan fitted, and I find it a bit quicker this way than taking the belly pan off and jacking under the the engine area. The latter is a bit complicated anyway as you need to avoid jacking under the dry sump oil tank.
Obviously with all this you do need an Ultipro or something, but well worth the investment for all jobs on the bike.
Agreed you need something like an Abba stand, I use an Ultipro, not cheap but well built and wouldn't be without it. I generally do the wheels one at a time, as it is a bit easier. With the Ultipro it takes well under 30 mins to get the rear wheel out, probably 15 or so.
Front is a bit more of an issue unless you have a front paddock stand, trying to use a rear paddock stand is generally a waste of time as you need to be able to get at the pinch bolts for the front axle.
If you have a garage with any sort of roof beams it's dead easy.
I put the bike on the Ultipro so rear wheel is in the air, then get a mate or even the wife to help by sitting on the pillion to lift the front wheel. I run a nylon rope around the headstock and a roof beam, tie it up nice and tight then let the wife get off the back!
My bike has a belly pan fitted, and I find it a bit quicker this way than taking the belly pan off and jacking under the the engine area. The latter is a bit complicated anyway as you need to avoid jacking under the dry sump oil tank.
Obviously with all this you do need an Ultipro or something, but well worth the investment for all jobs on the bike.
HowardQ
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
I use one of these for the front. You have to take out or drill a hole in that plastic thing thats under the headstock. £70 on ebay but i managed with the crappy cheap front stands for a while, you know , the ones with 2 bars sticking out of a triangle plate of metal
For the rear i use the hooks on the bobbins but i swapped the hooks sides , so you push past the bobbins then pull the stand backwards so the metal of the hooks are forward of bobbins hence and therefore enabling spanner access to the required area. Clear?
2 paragraphs , both with shitty grammar . Wish i'd stuck in at english 
For the rear i use the hooks on the bobbins but i swapped the hooks sides , so you push past the bobbins then pull the stand backwards so the metal of the hooks are forward of bobbins hence and therefore enabling spanner access to the required area. Clear?
2 paragraphs , both with shitty grammar . Wish i'd stuck in at english -
GregD-UK
- SuperBike Racer
- Posts: 825
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:21 am
- Location: North East - Sunderland
Stands...
Hi all,
Once again Pierre, we get your point, how's things? I was gonna ride down last night, but, got way-laid, and ended up putting up plasterboards instead! Will be there, next tuesday, save me some curry
Where did you get your new stand from?
Once again Pierre, we get your point, how's things? I was gonna ride down last night, but, got way-laid, and ended up putting up plasterboards instead! Will be there, next tuesday, save me some curry
Where did you get your new stand from?
My warranty is the clear/smoked tail lights around the corner!!