supporting bike to replacing steering bearings - Ducati.ms

jssport · Jan 23rd, 2012, 5:19 pm

Since I'm going to have my forks off for service, I want to replace my steering head bearings at the same time.

The only caviet is how to support the bike when doing this.

... about the only thing I can think of is using the garage rafters and some tie down straps to keep it in the air.

any other ideas ???

ptourin · Jan 23rd, 2012, 5:38 pm

I've used tie-downs to big O-hooks in the garage rafters - I usually lift this way, then build a wooden engine support and rest the bike on it - then just enough tension on the straps so the bike can't accidently fall off the support. You sure want to be sure your O-hooks and rafters can take the load - but you can lift the front of the bike just enough to slide the engine block under - that's not a whole lot of weight to lift.

Rev. Dr. Moses P. Lester · Jan 23rd, 2012, 6:07 pm

yeah i'd take the tank off and strap some tiedowns from the frame up to some rafters. i've heard people without rafters say a good alternative is to straddle a stepladder over the bike and strap it up to that.

erikrichard · Jan 23rd, 2012, 6:30 pm

I put the bike on the centerstand and use a hydraulic jack under the front header to raise front end off the floor. Most of the weight is taken by the cs, the front header is more than strong for this. Alternatively you could also place the jack under the engine block to the left of the header. A block of wood couldn't hurt if you are feeling anal, the jack right under the header works for me.

jssport · Jan 23rd, 2012, 7:24 pm

thanks for some ideas,.. I do have some 4x4 and 4x2 pieces that I'll be stacking on each side of the header pipe to help support it, I'm worried that it may slip pounding out the head races

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikrichard

the jack right under the header works for me.

uhhh,... wow, that scares me, wouldn't the header get crushed ??

Now this would be awesome, but I cant afford the $340 in my budget

http://www.motomfg.com/MotoMfg_paddo...ati_p/ps-1.htm

.

erikrichard · Jan 23rd, 2012, 8:01 pm

I've done it many times and there isn't the slightest mark on the header. You want to put the jack under the header right after it goes straight - it could slip if you jack where it angles off the engine. If you have a standard floor jack, the round piece on the jack cups the header and makes it very unlikely to slip or move - the wheels on the jack will allow the jack to move with the bike if you end up getting ham-fisted. I would be more concerned about slipping using wood between the jack and header. If you lift the front wheel off the floor with your arms, bike on cs, you feel how much weight the header will be supporting - with forks installed it's got to be under 100 lbs, it doesn't take much to lift the wheel up.
I've taken the forks off a couple times, once to do the steering head bearings - jack under the front header was the ticket.

**Gearbox** · Jan 24th, 2012, 3:23 am

A possible alternative , and I intend to do so when I get a chance , is to fix two ground anchors into the workshop concrete and use them to pull the back end down once on the centre stand.

ptourin · Jan 24th, 2012, 4:57 am

I wish I'd planned for anchors! I have radiant heat in the garage floor, and I sure wouldn't want to make a mistake drilling anchor holes - but it'd be so handy...

**Gearbox** · Jan 24th, 2012, 6:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptourin

I wish I'd planned for anchors! I have radiant heat in the garage floor, and I sure wouldn't want to make a mistake drilling anchor holes - but it'd be so handy...

Heating ?..............Sheer luxury.......

stryder · Jan 24th, 2012, 8:05 am

Years ago I built a jig/rig out of gas pipe to help support bikes from above with tie down straps around the frame or upper triple clamp. It was based on a description provided by a member of another forum I was on at the time, just as he saw one being used in the Ducati wsbk paddock at Laguna Seca IIRC.

It consists of two 90* elbow joints, 2 "T" joints, 4 end caps, 4 lenghts of pipe about 1 foot each, 2 lengths of pipe about 4 feet each, and 1 length of pipe about 3 feet. The ends of the pipes were all threaded at the hardware store, ie Home Depot in my case. The 4 lengths of 1 foot pipe go into the 2 T joints, one in each horizontal threaded T joint opening, and the caps are placed on each open end of the 1 foot pipes. These are the "feet." The 2 lengths of 4 foot pipes are threaded into the veritcal joint of the T, each topped with a 90* elbow joint. The rig comes together with the 3' "cross member" length of pipe threaded into the open end of the elbow joints. When assembled, it will look like and upside down squared off U with the "feet" rotated perpindicularly to the "U." The whole thing cost me about 50.00, and I have made good use of it for the past 10 years or so. I use it to prop up my Ducati in order to remove the forks or service the head set for example, as the engine is difficult to prop up from underneath. I wrap tie down straps under the upper triple clamp or frame member, tank propped up, and then over the cross member of the rig that I have placed straddled over the bike. I then the slip another favorite tool of my, a squared headed garden spade, under the front tire/wheel, push down on the handle with my foot and then cinch-up the tie down strap and viola, one suspened front end.

Bike on CS of course.