Raising the front to change a tire.

[Gabriel]

This is what I do when I need to remove the front tire, in this case a new front tire.
Images are a little blurry, I must have a finger print on the cell phone lens?
The jack stands are not necessary neither are the tie down straps but I'm leaving it up overnight. 
The chock is bolted to the floor...

[Chrisj CMA]

Or just slip a m/c lift under the front of the motor.  Boom done.   

[Gabriel]

Or just slip a m/c lift under the front of the motor.  Boom done.   

I had one and gave it away, they aren't near as sturdy as this method. IMO.

[Bighead]

I raise mine with a mc jack as you show and then put a jack stand under each side of the engineguards and let the jackdown till it rests on the stands. Stable as a rock. Had my IS sitting that way for several weeks while painting.

[Chrisj CMA]

I raise mine with a mc jack as you show and then put a jack stand under each side of the engineguards and let the jackdown till it rests on the stands. Stable as a rock. Had my IS sitting that way for several weeks while painting.

I have done that before too with the jack stands.  Found the m/c lift for the front end almost as secure and solid enough to not take the extra step.  I can understand some concern over lifting the whole bike on a m/c lift  if one has not done it much, but for just the front its no concern.

[..]

You have your solution and it works for you 

[Grandpot]

 The bike didn't fall,  no one got hurt.  Success!

[Gabriel]

It's just a method, not something everyone has to do. It's just an option and another choice for those who don't have a lift and an adapter.

[BigM]

Why take a chance when can get this for little of nothing. Along with pc. of mind if need might need it for breakdown etc. on the road.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VALKYRIE-HONDA-LIFT-JACK-ADAPTER-NEW-1-MUST-HAVE-MOTORCYCLE-ITEM-Save/170943480226?hash=item27cd0681a2:g:m8YAAOSw9mFWJFI5

[..]

Why take a chance when can get this for little of nothing. Along with pc. of mind if need might need it for breakdown etc. on the road.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VALKYRIE-HONDA-LIFT-JACK-ADAPTER-NEW-1-MUST-HAVE-MOTORCYCLE-ITEM-Save/170943480226?hash=item27cd0681a2:g:m8YAAOSw9mFWJFI5

That's what I have on my Tourer. I still tie the bike down to the lift for peace of mind.

Was useful when I blew a tire valve stem in Robbinsville, NC. Local bike guy had no problem lifting the bike.

[Gabriel]

Honda would have been better served to put metal valve stems in instead of a 90 degree rubber stem with a 2 cent plastic retainer.
But hey that would cost a dime more and everyone says they would be glad to pay the extra dime to get a better stem, but wait Honda would have to get their 1000% mark-up, now you see why this never happens.
They calculate their loss downside and determine if you would be killed or severely injured kinda like the Ford Pinto, you know the one with the flint bumper?
Iacocca even told them it was going to be a problem from the start.
Honda knew that was not a good idea when they did it but they never thought anyone would be riding these 20 years later.
Makes you wonder why some recalls are never generated, well maybe because recalls do not have an expiration date.

[Hook#3287]

Honda knew that was not a good idea when they did it but they never thought anyone would be riding these 20 years later.

Pretty sure Honda had every confidence these bikes would ride well over 20 years.

When they started making them in 96, there were 20 year old wings still working fine.

[Gabriel]

Honda knew that was not a good idea when they did it but they never thought anyone would be riding these 20 years later.

Pretty sure Honda had every confidence these bikes would ride well over 20 years.

When they started making them in 96, there were 20 year old wings still working fine.

The point was 'they never thought" about it when they built it.
Would it help you to know I worked for Honda for four years? Probably not...

[MarkT]

Why take a chance when can get this for little of nothing. Along with pc. of mind if need might need it for breakdown etc. on the road.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VALKYRIE-HONDA-LIFT-JACK-ADAPTER-NEW-1-MUST-HAVE-MOTORCYCLE-ITEM-Save/170943480226?hash=item27cd0681a2:g:m8YAAOSw9mFWJFI5

My installed lift adapter is much lighter weight, much less intrusive (no conflict with accy's below the swing arm), much easier to install, and very solid on the lift.  Plus if you have a belly tank - got a version for that too.  And I support this club.  I will be giving away some of them at Inzane (and have last several Inzane's).

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,100774.0.html

[Hook#3287]

Honda knew that was not a good idea when they did it but they never thought anyone would be riding these 20 years later.

Pretty sure Honda had every confidence these bikes would ride well over 20 years.

When they started making them in 96, there were 20 year old wings still working fine.

The point was 'they never thought" about it when they built it.
Would it help you to know I worked for Honda for four years? Probably not...

would it help me to do what?  ???

Did you work in the engineering dept for American Honda?

If so, then I bow to your experience.

Would it help you to know I agree with all you stated except that point?

[h13man]

Honda would have been better served to put metal valve stems in instead of a 90 degree rubber stem with a 2 cent plastic retainer.
But hey that would cost a dime more and everyone says they would be glad to pay the extra dime to get a better stem, but wait Honda would have to get their 1000% mark-up, now you see why this never happens.
They calculate their loss downside and determine if you would be killed or severely injured kinda like the Ford Pinto, you know the one with the flint bumper?
Iacocca even told them it was going to be a problem from the start.
Honda knew that was not a good idea when they did it but they never thought anyone would be riding these 20 years later.
Makes you wonder why some recalls are never generated, well maybe because recalls do not have an expiration date.

FWIW I had a metal one go bad after 200 mi. because the "cheap" plastic keeper was gone @ tire change time and my installer or I wasn't aware of this item. Was able purchase a dozen for next to nothing on Ebay. My installer backed up the repair for free.

[Chrisj CMA]

Honda would have been better served to put metal valve stems in instead of a 90 degree rubber stem with a 2 cent plastic retainer.
But hey that would cost a dime more and everyone says they would be glad to pay the extra dime to get a better stem, but wait Honda would have to get their 1000% mark-up, now you see why this never happens.
They calculate their loss downside and determine if you would be killed or severely injured kinda like the Ford Pinto, you know the one with the flint bumper?
Iacocca even told them it was going to be a problem from the start.
Honda knew that was not a good idea when they did it but they never thought anyone would be riding these 20 years later.
Makes you wonder why some recalls are never generated, well maybe because recalls do not have an expiration date.

FWIW I had a metal one go bad after 200 mi. because the "cheap" plastic keeper was gone @ tire change time and my installer or I wasn't aware of this item. Was able purchase a dozen for next to nothing on Ebay. My installer backed up the repair for free.

I took the plastic "keepers" off years ago when I put the metal stems in.  Thousands of miles and many air fill ups and no problems.  You must have had a defective part.

[MarkT]

I'm sorry I didn't grind off the little metal "T"s when I had the wheels powder coated.  Well they are useful if you forget which way the front wheel turns / spokes angle.

[stude31]

hmmmm...  I don't understand... Just take the bike to the dealer and have them do it..  They will do it for next to nothing!!   

all joking aside.  Whatever makes you feel safe and your bike safe.. Go for it.  I prefer jacking mine up with a floor jack and putting Jack stands under the crash bar and cover top of stand with a few rags.  Lower the bike down and ta da!!

To each his own.  It's kinda like what's the best oil to use!!

Stude31

[rafster]

Honda would have been better served to put metal valve stems in instead of a 90 degree rubber stem with a 2 cent plastic retainer.

I once had the stealer service dept forget to install that retainer on my rear tire at a tire change.  I also forgot to check their work. One of the scariest moments of my 35+ years of riding occurred shortly after as my non-retained valve stem was cut against the rim by centrifugal force at 70 mph. Lady luck was on my side and an attentive driver behind me saw the whole thing unfold. About the time my rear end started weaving, he started weaving state trooper style across 4 lanes of interstate traffic to prevent anyone from running over me in case I went down.  Thankfully I stayed upright and got it slowed onto the shoulder. (I also Thanked him profusely!)

I didn't get so much as an apology from the dealer, but plausible deniability was ever present!

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

Back on topic - thanks for sharing this technique! I've been looking for a more stable alternative to my MC lift.