| Author | Message | ||
     Blu1hockey |
I was getting ready to change my rims when I found out I didn't know how to raise the bike because a normal stand wouldn't work. So that's stupid question #1 how to jack the bike up. So I got the back tire on and set the belt with the bike in the air. So when I lowered it I had to reset the tension to about 1.5 inches. Then I rode it home about 30 miles. When I got home the belt was tight. So the next day I went out to adj it and it was back to about 1 inch of play. Stupid question #2 is it normal when the bike warms up to tighten up. I noticed near the end of my ride a slight whine when decelerating. Don't know if is my bearings or not. Thanks. | ||
| Phelan |
If it's tight when you get home after a ride, you don't have the axle tight. Also I would set the belt tension preloaded (rider on bike). When I'm off my bike it has 2+", but 1.5" with me on it. | ||
| Harleyelf |
An eight foot ladder straddling the steering neck lifting a nylon packing strap is better than a floor jack under the muffler. For the back, there are triangle stands that have pins that fit the hollow rear axle.Your drive belt should be beyond sloppy loose, halfway to scary loose. Be kind to your output shaft bearings and oil seal. | ||
| Blu1hockey |
Thanks for the quick responses. I was nervous about to loose because I didn't want it coming off. And I don't have a torque wrench yet and didn't want to over tighten the axle. I just got the pdf for the 99 x1 but nothing beats real world experience. The triangle lift would be good if I wasn't pulling off the rear tire. I unfortunately did wind up going with a motorcycle lift. Thank goodness my muffler held. It was scary. I put the front on before I noticed the tire was cupped. Tried to drive down the street and it was a no go. so I had to swap back. And I laughed out loud when I read what you wrote Harley. Halfway to scary loose.  | ||
| Blu1hockey |
I have bearings at work for motors. The only difference is that are not r2r. I may snag some and see what the dirt difference is. | ||
| Harleyelf |
The ladder can lift the back half, too. Just string the strap behind the oil tank. Or you can put the pins of the triangle stands in the axle holes as you draw the axle out by tipping the bike from side to side. The seal under the sprocket will go way before the bearing. The real risk is a bent transmission shaft. | ||
| Phelan |
When I lived in a downstairs apartment, I used 4 tie down straps wrapped around the second story balcony over my porch to lift the bike XD. | ||
| Blu1hockey |
I love the thought of using tow straps to hoist the bike. I've used chains and a tree and come along to put motor out of a car. But just the thought of my bike hanging by tow straps in my car port is a cool picture in my head. Makes me nervous working on the bike though. First off because I am new to working on bikes and second parts are getting harder to find and I don't want to break anything. | ||
| Gnutlethal |
Depending on what I have to work on my bike, I use different methods to lift it up. A small hoist, a steering head stand, a motorcycle stand with hard rubber supports or a small floor jack, that can reach the swingarm mount block between muffler and shock. I prefer not to load half the bike on the muffler. Scary loose is the way to go with the belt.  | ||
| Blu1hockey |
So not half way to scary loose? Go all or nothing? Lol. Is that a block and tackle? and I like the way the ropes match the bike. And a very nice bike it is. | ||
| Gnutlethal |
You're right, that is a block and tackle. English is not my native tongue, so I learn something new everyday.  Scary loose is somewhat of a quick word of advice, since it's always better to not run the belt too tight. The most secure way to make sure that the belt is never ever being "stretched", when the suspension is compressing, as follows: - bike has to be level - hoist back of bike up, till rear suspension is completely unloaded - remove rear shock from swingarm - align swingarm pivot, transmission shaft and rear wheel axle into one straight line (by lowering the bike down with the block and tackle) Now you've found the position, when the belt is experiencing the maximum deflection. You can now set the belt to be free from play with the adjustment bolts of the rear axle left/right. You'll see, that after buttoning up everything, this will result in quite a loose belt, when the bike just sits on its sidestand, but it's the least loose belt while still not too tight to damage the transmission shaft or its bearings. If you belt is too tight and you try the aforementioned method, you'll probably find that the swingarm will pop over the point of maximum deflection and will hold up the wheel above this point just by stressing the belt. And that's what ruins your transmission shaft and bearings. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Rebar though the axle at the end you aren't working on, supported on jack stands on either side, work great for working on the bike. | ||
| Buellistic |
The first help answer is you are adjusting the drive belt too tight !!! DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT Class 101, just PM me for a copy ... | ||
| Koz5150 |
The best is to get yourself a stand  And if you are going to do a lot of work use a engine hoist with it. As a precationary measure, I use hose clamps on the stand around the footpegs for increased stability.  | ||
| Blu1hockey |
How many stands do you have? I've seen pics of three already. Lol | ||
| Phelan |
The black one pictured above is a different user. | ||
| Blu1hockey |
See that is a good indication I need to go to sleep. Thank you Phelan. I like to see all the workshops in the background too. I'm sick of working in a carport. | ||
| Pikeben08 |
Harbor Freight sells a rear swingarm stand that works for about $30. Is it chintzy? Yes. Does it work? Yes, but only for the rear wheel. I guess the used to sell a front wheel conversion but don't anymore. | ||
| Gianni312 |
Ken where did you get your center stand? I've been trying to locate one for a long time to no avail. | ||
| Koz5150 |
I found mine used through a badweb member about 9 years ago. $100 shipped. It is rock solid which I love. Between track days and maintnance it has gotten it's fair share of usage. I have seen them on ebay from time to time though. |
