Rear Wheel Tire Change Question

[Kevin M]

While on the road (or in your garage with no lift), if you are changing your rear tire, how do you jack your bike up? The center stand is not tall enough to allow the tire to come out from under the fender. I'm interested in other techniques.

Thanks,
Kevin

[atavar]

If absolutely necessary lay it down on something soft.

[Bisbonian]

Put a piece of 2x4 under the feet of the center stand?

If you do this, use a strap to keep the stand locked in so the bike does not roll off forward.

[jacksonracingcomau]

Wood in yer shed
On the road
On pavement hanging off the curb
translated
on sidewalk hanging of the kerb

Or lay it over if no curb

[earemike]

If you let all the air out of the rear (& some out the front) you might get there.

People here suggested a plank which worked great when I first tried it.

I figure if you're on the road you've got bigger problems & if someone can bring a tyre they can bring a plank too!

[centauro]

If you have a Tonti type Guzzi, you can also remove the 2 bolts that hold the rear fender at the rear end of the frame and raise the fender above the frame a couple of inches. You can temporarily prop it up with something soft to prevent damage to the fender under stress.
I have done this with my 1984 SP and gained plenty of room to remove the wheel.

[Wayne Orwig]

When at home I use my lift. Along the road I just lay the bike over on the side.

[Triple Jim]

My Guzzi manual says to get everything ready and then lean the bike to the right while still on the center stand.  It's probably safest to have someone help you do that, so you can get it far enough over and maneuver the wheel out safely, but I think I could do it myself if I had to.  It's worked fine both times I've had the rear wheel out, and my wife was able to do a good job as the assistant.

[Lannis]

Put a piece of 2x4 under the feet of the center stand?

If you do this, use a strap to keep the stand locked in so the bike does not roll off forward.

That's a tough job by yourself.   You can't put the bike on the stand with the feet already on the 2x4, it's too heavy.   And it's risky trying to "rock" the bike up onto the wood ....

Thank goodness for the Stelvio!   Up on the stand, four lug bolts, two caliper bolts, and the wheel drops off and rolls out from under the fender with no drama ..... I'm sort of spoiled now for those bikes you have to lay down or pick way up ...

Lannis

[Triple Jim]

TJ , the leaning method will probably work on a Milly , NO WAY I lean my Jackal over far enough W/O dropping it . OUCH 

Understood.  When I started typing, I meant to mention that I was talking about an '89 Mille, but I never got it in there.  It does work well.

[rocker59]

Well, where there's a will, there's a way...

[Gliderjohn]

Quote from TripleJim:

My Guzzi manual says to get everything ready and then lean the bike to the right while still on the center stand.  It's probably safest to have someone help you do that, so you can get it far enough over and maneuver the wheel out safely, but I think I could do it myself if I had to.  It's worked fine both times I've had the rear wheel out, and my wife was able to do a good job as the assistant.

I have done it that way once, but it is really, really tricky to do it and be sure to hold your tongue just right. I use the board under the center stand and/or an assistant. Much less stress that way.
GliderJohn

[Kev m]

That's a tough job by yourself.   You can't put the bike on the stand with the feet already on the 2x4, it's too heavy.   And it's risky trying to "rock" the bike up onto the wood ....

Thank goodness for the Stelvio!   Up on the stand, four lug bolts, two caliper bolts, and the wheel drops off and rolls out from under the fender with no drama ..... I'm sort of spoiled now for those bikes you have to lay down or pick way up ...

Lannis

Fwiw, I've done this, no problem, by myself, on all 3 Guzzis I've owned (Tonti Cali. CARC, and smallblock) so I guess it varies by model and rider.

[Penderic]

Easier with two people. Flip upside down on a elevated flat surface to gain access to the bottom fastener.

 

[balvenie]

Instead of the pieces of 2X4, my method is to use sawed up lengths of particle board, one inch thick. Three pieces under each leg of the centre stand. Still tricky and an assistant is still necessary to pile them up while you lean the bike over.

[fotoguzzi]

hanging it off a curb on the sidewalk works really good and pretty safe to do yourself.

[mtiberio]

Lean onto sidestand, and/or board under centerstand. Also, learn to pull rear drive if necessary, only 4 nuts. Also run a 110 tire instead of a 120. Or go tubeless...

[lucian]

On the road or off just park on sand or loose gravel and dig out enough dirt to drop it out. You can also dig the front down to pitch the rear up.

[Two Checks]

Remove the bevel drive. Wheel slips right out.

[lucian]

Uh , OK , how do you keep the center stand from sinking . (Gotta get the emos working) Og , carry a piece of plywood . HA !

  Dusty

Worked once for me on a 350 yamaha, didn't have to dig out very much dirt to get the job done. Maybe more risky on a bigger bike in softer sand though.

[rodekyll]

[krglorioso]

If the wheels have a sufficiently deep bead area, go tubeless.  Plug and go.  Quit all this nonsense about hoists, 2x4s and wrestling the bike to the ground like calf ropers.  WTF??

Ralph
+

[Wayne Orwig]

If the wheels have a sufficiently deep bead area, go tubeless.  Plug and go.  Quit all this nonsense about hoists, 2x4s and wrestling the bike to the ground like calf ropers.  WTF??

False security.

I have encountered a number of tubeless tires that could not be plugged.
I have only encountered one tube that I wasn't able to patch.

[Lannis]

If the wheels have a sufficiently deep bead area, go tubeless.  Plug and go.  Quit all this nonsense about hoists, 2x4s and wrestling the bike to the ground like calf ropers.  WTF??

Ralph
+

That response sounded very reasonable to me, but I went back and looked at the OP, and it just asks what you do when you "have to change the rear tire" on the road or in the shop.  Doesn't mention a flat tire.

Obviously, there's no reason to take the wheel out of the bike for a flat tire - just use Ride-On in your tube or carry a plug kit for your tubeless.   But maybe you're on a trip long enough to wear out your rear tire and it has to be changed, OR maybe the tire has been cut so badly it can't be fixed and has to be changed .... ?   You'd think the bike would be at a shop to do that, but maybe not, depending on where the new tire is coming from and where it's being mounted on the rim.

Lannis