Rear wheel change- center stand

[Rocketman]

OK, maybe I was doing something horribly wrong.  However, I'm going to ask anyway.

I completed a rear wheel removal/reinstall over the weekend, with nothing but a center stand, a large collection of tools, and a larger collection of, well, colorful words.  The question I was left with was this:
What do ya'll do to get the rear axle out when she's up on the center stand?  With the shocks off to maximize movability, the axle isn't low enough at its lowest point, to slide under the pipes.  When I lift the wheel high enough for the axle to go over the pipes, I don't have enough hands left over to remove the axle.
I ended up working it out with a long board and something to prop under it (along with aforementioned colorful words), but as this was a test run for an "on the road" job, that fails.  I don't carry a long board with me.  Besides, it was tough to deal with due to the torque on the axle presented by the... well, you get the idea.
What's the RIGHT way to do it?

Mark

[X Ring]

I remember Daniel Meyer writing about doing it on a trip.  Ask him.

Marty

[bentwrench]

I like to put mine up on 4 jack stands,then use my lift to raise the rear wheel.The axle will usaully slide right out.
BW

[98valk]

just pics with rear section of fender removed.

http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/theDarkSide.html

[Challenger]

With the shocks off, just run a ratchet strap over the seat frame to the shock mount holes, lift wheel so axle can be removed over top of the pipes.

[John Schmidt]

I don't have that trouble with the axle however. I do remove the rear section of the fender as well as the shocks, then use a floor jack to raise the swingarm and hold it up in place. Lifting the tire slightly while tapping on the end of the axle usually breaks it loose quite easily. Not sure what you're doing different.

[houstone]

You didn't call me?!  I was doing the same thing, though w/o the center stand!
;-)

[MP]

With the shocks off, just run a ratchet strap over the seat frame to the shock mount holes, lift wheel so axle can be removed over top of the pipes.

Same method I use.  Works great.

MP

[tank_post142]

a chunk of wood under the centerstand when on the road will lift the rear enough. i did it once with a piece of concrete i managed to crack off the side of the roadway.

[Rocketman]

You didn't call me?!  I was doing the same thing, though w/o the center stand!
;-)

I thought you were too busy with your alternator to mess with rear wheels.
I would have loved to see you do that with no center stand, unless you cheated and used a jack...
(:

I don't have that trouble with the axle however. I do remove the rear section of the fender as well as the shocks, then use a floor jack to raise the swingarm and hold it up in place. Lifting the tire slightly while tapping on the end of the axle usually breaks it loose quite easily. Not sure what you're doing different.

I was trying to do it without a jack, as in how I would do it on the roadside if necessary.
Sounds like lifting the swingarm rather than the wheel is the proper method, though.  Lifting at the wheel put some side torque on the axle that didn't want to let loose.

a chunk of wood under the centerstand when on the road will lift the rear enough. i did it once with a piece of concrete i managed to crack off the side of the roadway.

Now that's being creative.  I like it.  Must have been a big chunk of concrete to keep from being so shaky you didn't have to worry about stability, though.

With the shocks off, just run a ratchet strap over the seat frame to the shock mount holes, lift wheel so axle can be removed over top of the pipes.

Ratchet strap sounds like a good approach.  I'll give that a shot.

[franco6]

just did mine today with the front elevated 2 jack stands under the engine guards then slid the mc jak to the rear and lifted (shocks off) high enough to clear the exhausts.
the bearings are hard to turn so new ones are due. any idea where to get them quick in Htown?
tomorow the ct tire is coming off to do the beed . hope to have it going by thursday unless the u- joint is a gonner(manana)
sorry Rocketman my valk does not have a centre stand but  i think with 2 stands, a jack and a sturdy wood plank it should work fine