Front Wheel Removal?

[jh225]

Can the front wheel on a ST4s be removed without removing the rear wheel for clearance?

How does one go about removing JUST the front wheel?

From what I understand, a motorcycle floor jack will not work due to the header pipe and lower fairings, correct?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by jh225

Can the front wheel on a ST4s be removed without removing the rear wheel for clearance?

How does one go about removing JUST the front wheel?

From what I understand, a motorcycle floor jack will not work due to the header pipe and lower fairings, correct?

The easiest way is with a front stand that lifts from the steering stem.

If the cycle is on a lift or you have anchors in your concrete pad, you can use the centerstand and strap the rear end of the bike down to raise the front.

Some people even lift the front with a sling supported from the rafters.

I wouldn't mess with a jack, too difficult to achieve stability.

[jh225]

Originally Posted by Mike

I wouldn't mess with a jack, too difficult to achieve stability.

Not worried about stability, as I had a 800lb bike on my jack.

What I don't know is whether or not I can use the jack on this bike.

I don't have a Pitbull type stand, so that is out.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by jh225

Not worried about stability, as I had a 800lb bike on my jack.

What I don't know is whether or not I can use the jack on this bike.

I don't have a Pitbull type stand, so that is out.

Like I said, I wouldn't mess with a jack because it's too difficult to achieve stability. I don't care how stable your jack is, it's the balance of the ST on the engine that's the problem. In addition, you would need to construct a support that spanned the pipe, not worth messing with in my opinion. The other options I mentioned have all been used successfully.

I hope this helps.

[SS904]

I don't want to come across the wrong way here, but if you plan to do any kind work to the bike that requires wheel removal, please just buy a set of stands. Yes, they are another expense, but by the time you've dropped your bike trying various ways of jacking, strapping, or hanging from the freaking ceiling, you'd have just been better off spending the money on a set of stands. It is just so much more secure using the stands to work on the bike. No matter what the stands would cost you, they will still be less expensive than bodywork and / or plastic replacement panels! Last time I looked, a new tank from Ducati was pushing $1600.00!!! Also, even though these bikes have a center stand, I would still get a regular rear stand. The center stand is nice for parking in the garage and on the road chain maintenance / rear wheel removal, but I wouldn't use it in place of a real rear stand, especially if used in conjunction with a front stand.

Just my humble opinion!

[jh225]

Originally Posted by SS904

[color=black]I don't want to come across the wrong way here, but if you plan to do any kind work to the bike that requires wheel removal, please just buy a set of stands.

No offense taken. I do plan on getting a set of stands. Only problem is that I need to do the tire NOW. Stand will have to wait.

[ward]

I'd suggest the hang it from the rafters option - for now. The jack could work fine, but as Mike says, so much can go wrong - and / or you'll need to fabricate something to clear the pipes...

The thought that makes me wince is the whole weight of the bike sitting on the sump!

If you have 2 jacks, you could possibly run a strong bit of wood through the frame and jack it either side? I read somewhere here about someone inserting a steel rod through the frame just above the footrest hangers - it's plugged but it's hollow - and then jacking or lifting or something, both sides.

[butch]

I hook two straps to the bars and run them over the rafters in the garage. Put the bike on the center stand and have someone sit on the pillion seat, this will raise the front wheel, with the front wheel raised tighten the starps and your ready to work.
Its not as sketchy as it sounds. Good luck.

[Stick]

Well call me crazy or worse, but I use a small bottle jack and work it up under the fairing (note, no removal of any fairing screws). I can't recall exactly what the piston touches for the lift point...either the starter or the horiz. cyl. jug. This is with the ST on the center stand. Then I jack gently until the front tire just comes off the cement. You definately don't want to be bumping into the machine while the ft. wheel is off...

[Gilbert]

Originally Posted by SS904

I don't want to come across the wrong way here, but if you plan to do any kind work to the bike that requires wheel removal, please just buy a set of stands. Yes, they are another expense, but by the time you've dropped your bike trying various ways of jacking, strapping, or hanging from the freaking ceiling, you'd have just been better off spending the money on a set of stands. It is just so much more secure using the stands to work on the bike. No matter what the stands would cost you, they will still be less expensive than bodywork and / or plastic replacement panels! Last time I looked, a new tank from Ducati was pushing $1600.00!!! Also, even though these bikes have a center stand, I would still get a regular rear stand. The center stand is nice for parking in the garage and on the road chain maintenance / rear wheel removal, but I wouldn't use it in place of a real rear stand, especially if used in conjunction with a front stand.

Just my humble opinion!

THANK YOU!.... But I think this guy is hell bent on buying body parts, and doing a half-ass job.

IMHO, if your in that big of a hurry and not sure how to properly support your bike, you maybe shouldn't be turning wrenches on it.

I do humbly appologize for sounding a bit hard on ya, but that's just my opinion.