advice on jacking up my 1974 GT750

[garyscc]

hi, I haven't needed to remove a tire/wheel yet on my motorcycles. The rear tire on my gt750 has a major flat and I need to remove it from bike to get it fixed. I am planning to buy a rear support rocker that I've seen at the motorcycle shops. they are asking if I want to lift it by the spool or by the control arms. By visual inspection at the bike, there doesn't appear to be much room to support by spool, and the control arms seem to be partially blocked by the exchaust pipes on either side.

Please let me know if someone has some advice for raising and supporting an old Suzuki bike like mine. thanks.

[mikefealk]

no centerstand huh? just cut a 2x4 to the right lenth to miss the exhausts, and rest on the frame, and jack it up.

[garyscc]

do you mean I could jack it up like a car, and then use regular jack stands?

[garyscc]

I have another question - will I need to remove the exhaust pipes in order to remove the rear wheel? also, any tips for removing the rear wheel is much appreciated.

[Coyote]

do you mean I could jack it up like a car, and then use regular jack stands?

I don't see why not. Or if you are near a sturdy overhead beam, you can lift it with a come-along.I've done that before. Remember you are not lifting the entire weight of the bike.
Exhausts won't be in the way. Just remove the 2 pinch pieces on the extreme end of the swingarm. loosen the axle nut and pull the whole assembly off. The biggest hassle will be the chain, especially if you have a continuous chain with no master link. You might get by by pushing the wheel forward as far as possible and see if you can roll the chain off kike a belt on a pulley. If your chain has a master link just remove the chain.
Borrow an air tank and inflate the tire so you can roll the bike to a comfortable work spot. By the time you get the wheel off, you won't be in a good mood

[garyscc]

that sounds like a great plan. I guess my initial hesitation is in regard to the front of the bike. If I lift up the bike as we are discussing, I would imagine I should chock up the front wheel ? I can get a tubular chock at the local motorcycle shop for about $50 - seems reasonable - just wanted to pass it by you for your thought on that.

[Coyote]

Are we talking jack and stands or overhead lift? In either case, keep the $50 in your pocket. A short piece of 2x4 works for me (concrete floor).

[garyscc]

I don't currently have an overhead lift - I was hoping to do this work on a concrete platform in my backyard. I'm just thinking that when I lift up the rear of the pipe with the 2x4s the bike could roll forward or tip over.

[yeadon_m]

If you've a stock exhaust system, I would say why not buy an old, stock stand. They're really useful fittings
Mike

[garyscc]

yes, all my bikes are stock and original. where would I find an old stand? I can try ebay, is there any available on this site?

[Coyote]

I think Mike is talking about the center stand ---- already on the bike. If you have a center stand, thet's enough to change the wheel. Center stands are on the bikes from the factory. Most people don't take them off unless mounting chambers require it. You can't even adjust the chain without a center stand. Like this!. Note rear weel is off the ground.

[mikefealk]

gary your overthinking the idea. just get a floor jack and a chunk of wood on a level surface, jack the sucker up. all good.

[garyscc]

I admit that I'm not very good at using my center stand. I don't use it often and when I try the bike seems to just slide backward.

Is there a trick to using it? I heard I just need to stand on it with one foot, and just lean backward? any tips are appreciated.

[Coyote]

Stand on it with one foot. Grab the rear frame rail or under the seat and lift HARD and press harder with your foot and pull back. Once you do it a few times, it becomes just one fluid motion. To get it off the stand, sit on the bike and rock your body forward. Here's a how to video. If you're lucky, your bike will have the handle on it. Otherwise use the rear frame rail or under the seat'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6TGuO03wHM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[yeadon_m]

also, roll the back wheel onto a 1 inch plank of wood, makes the remaining lift onto the mainstand a whole lot easier.
Stand design makes a great deal of difference, with a heavy machine and I'm not sure the 750 stand design is ideal (lighter, GT380/550 no problem).
My GSX1400 is at least as heavy as the GT750 but needs no tricks to get onto its mainstand - better angles, longer foot pedal, up she goes
Mike