Front Wheel Chock for basic maintenence?

[mr_pacman]

I've got a 2014 V7 Racer with the factory side stand. I plan to do really basic maintenance (fluid changes, remove fuel tank to replace fuel filter etc). I don't plan on removing front or rear wheels or any major work and will let a professional at the shop do that.

It would be nice to have the bike "upright" vs on the side stand for some of these basic procedures.

I don't really want to buy a center lift.  I'm interested in something like a front wheel chock or a rear chock (or stand perhaps).

Finally, I wouldn't mind storing the bike upright against the garage wall during winter vs having it leaned over on it's side, but that's just a plus and not a necessity.

I would prefer NOT to get a center stand for the bike, as I think the side stand will be easier for me to deal with. Plus, the previous owner of the bike installed an Agostini exhaust and apparently that causes some issues putting on a center stand due to exhaust hangers and some clearance issues. Since I'm in Canada, I don't want to risk ordering a center stand from a USA based dealer, pay exorbitant shipping costs and then have to pay those same costs to ship to back if it doesn't fit.

Any thoughts on the right product for me? basic front wheel chock? Pit Bull rear stand? Rear wheel chock?

thanks
james

[PJPR01]

Baxley chocks work well.  Quite a few on the board have them if you want something of excellent quality.

[mr_pacman]

Baxley chocks work well.  Quite a few on the board have them if you want something of excellent quality.

Thanks for the reply. Just to confirm, that would be a front wheel chock only (based on the pictures I'm seeing online)?  Is this something you feel would be sturdy enough to use for basic maintenance and also perhaps store the bike on over the winter so I can snug it up against a wall?

thanks
James

[Motormike]

Baxley Sport Chock is still the best.    .https://www.baxleycompanies.com/shop/sport-chock/

Condor wheel chocks are good (but not as heavy-duty as Baxley.  I own both).    https://www.condor-lift.com

I wouldn't buy a cheap Harbor Freight chalk if you put a gun to my head.  I did that once...won't make that mistake again.  Do yourself and working North Americans a favor and stay away from the Harbor Freight junk.  Spend the money on an American made product instead of sending it to China. 

[mr_pacman]

I should also add, I live in Canada so if anyone has any links to places in Canada or the USA that ship here, that would be beneficial to me as well. 

on edit:

Looks like there is a place in Ontario that has the Baxley Sport Chock for $295 CAD plus $30 to ship which is reasonable considering the weight. This beats the local place selling the Condor for over $500 CAD.

I appreciate the replies so far. Sounds like this front chock might be the best way to go as I can do standard maintenance and then store the bike upright over the winter.

For storing long term, do you need to bolt the chock into the concrete garage floor?  For those that have the Baxley, do you feel it's equal to or better from a stability standpoint vs the factory side stand?

Sorry for the newbie questions, this is my first motorcycle that I've had in over 26 years and the first time I've had to look at storing/maintaining one.

thanks
James

[mr_pacman]

Baxley Sport Chock is still the best.    .https://www.baxleycompanies.com/shop/sport-chock/

Condor wheel chocks are good (but not as heavy-duty as Baxley.  I own both).    https://www.condor-lift.com

I wouldn't buy a cheap Harbor Freight chalk if you put a gun to my head.  I did that once...won't make that mistake again.  Do yourself and working Americans a favor and stay away from the Harbor Freight junk.  Spend the money on an American made product instead of sending it to China.

Thanks for the reply. I agree, my preference would be to purchase something that is Made in Canada first (doubtful that there is something but I'm patriotic and always like to check) and then Made in USA is a tight second (I'm glad to see that the Baxley/Condor are made in USA).

James

[PJPR01]

Yes to all of your requirements.  I have two of them, and they are solid as a rock, very nicely engineered.

[s1120]

I had the same need, but I grabbed a cheap HF one...  I know its china built, but it does work well for me. I can chalk either the front or rear wheel, and use a jack under the bike to hold up one wheel or the other. Does just what I need. Its not bolted to the floor, but it WILL slide when you got to put the bike on it. I have mine propped up to a wood rack in my garage, but a second person holding their foot on it works also.

[80CX100]

        I have a variety of wheel chocks and wheel fastening clamps on work tables, I'll be the odd man out and disagree with trusting any type of wheel chock alone unless it's clamped securely or tied down securely as well.

      One of my not so finer moments  was wheeling my CX up on the work table into the high quality Baxley style (generic copy) and cautioning myself not to be like one of those idiots on wg and let the bike fall over on the bench  .

       The bike was locked in the chock securely, I even shook it forcefully side to side a few times to make sure it wasn't going anywhere, stable as could be; I then turned around to grab my tie downs to secure it, and out of the corner of my eye watched in horror as my beloved  CX fell sideways to the floor.

        The air turned blue as I tried to wrestle the bike upright with one exhaust wedged under the table, now soaked in oil and gasoline I slipped on the table and the bike fell over again to the opposite side, the air was now midnight blue   

         Never again will I trust a wheel chock alone, even for a second, straps are placed in the ready position and my hand is always on the bike or very close to it,

         fwiw ymmv

[Tom H]

It sounds like you may need to items. A wheel chock and something to move/store it on unless you can get the bike into a chock against the wall.

I'm gonna say it. HF has a dolly for the bike. It does sit on the side stand. Tie it down to the dolly and roll it how you want. I looked at the tube vids for this. The only way to have a bike stored safely upright, not side stand, is to build a platform about 3-4 feet wide and use a wheel chock. Either way, be careful of sand, pebbles and seams on/in you concrete. The wheels could hang up and topple the bike.

BTW, the HF chock or compatible works for me. Drill a hole in the floor and maybe in the chock and slide a pin/bolt in it to hold it in place.

Tom

[fotoguzzi]

I like them so much I got two. In MY mind nothing is wrong with the cheap Harbor freight chock.
You can buy a lot of gas with the savings.
If you fasten a slim board so the weight of the back wheel rests on it it won't slide around on your floor when trying to exit the chock.
Such a great idea, roll in to it and hop off the bike, it parked.

[Demar]

I use a Condor wheel chock for my Stelvio to do the things you describe. I need someone to stand in front of the chock legs to roll out or the chock will slide on the garage floor.

[steven c]

 I have been happy with the one I got from Cycle Gear. https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/trackside-roll-on-wheel-chock?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4feBBhC9ARIsABp_nbWqa6w3C0PmP_NV9F8KLx-0B4rB3K4LxehcdyIop0d4V-_n1OEYsmwaAtJoEALw_wcB&sku_id=1127304

[kirb]

I have the condor pit stop and trailer-only versions... The trailer only gets put in/out of my open trailer and works great. The pit stop is great for a quick oil change or whatever. They hold the bike up and work great.

I ended up buying one during the Buell closeout as the dealer always gave 20% off on the day of the bike sale...SOLD! used in the trailer when taking the 1125CR home.

Highly suggested.

[kballowe]

In MY mind nothing is wrong with the cheap Harbor freight chock.   You can buy a lot of gas with the savings.

If you fasten a slim board so the weight of the back wheel rests on it it won't slide around on your floor when trying to exit the chock.
Such a great idea, roll in to it and hop off the bike, it parked.

 

I have the same Harbor Freight wheel chock and it works well.
If ya cannot get them from Harbor Freight, then Amazon lists the same chock for around $60

https://www.amazon.com/MaxxHaul-70271-Heavy-Motorcycle-Wheel/dp/B008CE0R7W/ref=asc_df_B008CE0R7W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312158556601&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13244635009531526127&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010491&hvtargid=pla-493285072295&psc=1

[Perazzimx14]

I have had Baxley sport chocks for years and they do work really well. I bought two of them.  One was bolted to my HF lift and the other serves as floor and truck bed duty. With that said the Baxley (at least the Sport version) is really great at holding bikes with 120/17 "sport bike" sized wheels/tires. They also do fair job at 19" wheel/tires but when you deviate either wider or narrower than 120 they become less effective.

When rolling a 120/17 wheel tire combo into the Baxley you do not need to tie it down. I mean its hold the bike very securely. I'm not saying do not use extra straps for safety but I can tell you I'd pull the lift over before the bike fell out of the chock.

For garage duty and holding the bike more upright any chock will do or you can get paddock stands or even put a 2x6 over a couple of rafters and drop a couple eye bolts through the ceiling to attach ratchet straps to.  Many ways to skin this cat.

[cliffrod]

        I have a variety of wheel chocks and wheel fastening clamps on work tables, I'll be the odd man out and disagree with trusting any type of wheel chock alone unless it's clamped securely or tied down securely as well.

      One of my not so finer moments  was wheeling my CX up on the work table into the high quality Baxley style (generic copy) and cautioning myself not to be like one of those idiots on wg and let the bike fall over on the bench  .

       The bike was locked in the chock securely, I even shook it forcefully side to side a few times to make sure it wasn't going anywhere, stable as could be; I then turned around to grab my tie downs to secure it, and out of the corner of my eye watched in horror as my beloved  CX fell sideways to the floor.

        The air turned blue as I tried to wrestle the bike upright with one exhaust wedged under the table, now soaked in oil and gasoline I slipped on the table and the bike fell over again to the opposite side, the air was now midnight blue   

         Never again will I trust a wheel chock alone, even for a second, straps are placed in the ready position and my hand is always on the bike or very close to it,

         fwiw ymmv

You're not alone, Kelly.  I don't trust a chock by itself, especially a chock that isn't attached to the floor or bench.  Straps need to be in place and ready to attach without letting go of the bike.  Locking into or strapping to a chock that isn't secured can lead to problems if the bike is lifted with a jack to rotate or remove the rear wheel or do anything under a bike that may make it twist in any way.  Once it's up, a bike can pivot sideways on the steering head and tip over.  If you're down there working when it tips- not cool.

I understand many trust their chock alone and have no problems.  To me, it's no different than trusting a jack while you slide under a car real quick to change the oil.   It's just not worth the risk.  Be safe.

[mr_pacman]

  Locking into or strapping to a chock that isn't secured can lead to problems if the bike is lifted with a jack to rotate or remove the rear wheel or do anything under a bike that may make it twist in any way.  Once it's up, a bike can pivot sideways on the steering head and tip over.  If you're down there working when it tips- not cool.

I understand many trust their chock alone and have no problems.  To me, it's no different than trusting a jack while you slide under a car real quick to change the oil.   It's just not worth the risk.  Be safe.

What if the bike is simply being parked in the chock, straight and parked for the winter or a simple oil change?  No lifting with a jack, rotating the bike, removing rear wheels or making it twist in any way......do you still feel there is a safety concern?

thanks
James

[PJPR01]

Mine are parked with the kickstand down, even when in the wheel chock.  In the extremely unlikely event it falls, which it never has, it will be caught.  Of course, if it falls to the other side, then it will hit the wall, so it won't go far at all, or another bike. 

By the way, the Baxley chocks have a lever you depress once the bike is parked that prevents it from being pulled or lifted up, so it has a safety feature installed.

Chock by itself, unmolested, with no one running around jumping on stuff is perfectly fine.

[mr_pacman]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone.  I think a front wheel chock is going to suit my needs for what I need it to do such as winter storage, keeping bike straight up so I can do fluid changes and simple maintenance and perhaps putting the rear wheel on a roller stand so I can turn the wheel for valve adjustments.

I'll most likely go with the Baxley as there appears to be a local retailer here in Calgary and the prices are reasonable $280 CAD vs $100 CAD for an unknown brand at the local Princess Auto which is an unknown brand, quality level etc. 

James

[fotoguzzi]

putting the rear wheel on a roller stand so I can turn the wheel for valve adjustments.
James

it's easier to take off the alternator cover and turn the motor with a hex wrench. (At least on the big twins, not sure about the small blocks)  In neutral with spark plugs out.

[Perazzimx14]

What if the bike is simply being parked in the chock, straight and parked for the winter or a simple oil change?  No lifting with a jack, rotating the bike, removing rear wheels or making it twist in any way......do you still feel there is a safety concern?

thanks
James

Lots of video's on youtube showing the stability of the Baxley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th5ci9iGe2I

[Jorg66]

Hi James, I bought one of Amazon .ca and one at Princess Auto, both do the Job just fine .
I even park our california 1400 in it .and for the V7 ,no worries what so ever, Spend 90 $ for the Amazon deal ,monted on Trailer and 46 $ at Princess Auto mounted on a Plywood sheet.

Greetings from sunny Western Manitoba 

[mr_pacman]

For those of you with the Baxley SPORT chock (not the adjustable LA model) what size wheel / tire combo are you using it for?

The front wheel on my 2014 V7 racer is a 110/90-18".   Is that a similar size to what you are fitting into the SPORT Baxley model?

thanks
james

[Motormike]

Thanks for the reply. I agree, my preference would be to purchase something that is Made in Canada first (doubtful that there is something but I'm patriotic and always like to check) and then Made in USA is a tight second (I'm glad to see that the Baxley/Condor are made in USA).

James

I made a small, but important change to my wording on your behalf!

[Motormike]

If I intended to leave a bike in a front wheel chalk for an extended period, say all winter, I'd still put a couple of tie-down straps on it, just as a precaution.  You don't need to tighten them beyond snug. The baxley is really only meant for 17 inch rims, but does have one adjustment hole so it can accept an 18 or 19 inch wheel.  I've used it with other sizes than the standard sport-bike 120-17 wheel/tire combo, but feel the further you are from that ideal, the less secure the front end will be.  There's a reason Baxley calls it the "Sport-chalk."  The reason I despise the Harbor Freight versions are (besides country of manufacture) they are thin stamped steel and are prone to flexing.  I tried to roll a large cruiser onto one once, and the chalk flexed enough for one of the pins to pop out of the mounting, nearly ending in disaster.  I suddenly found myself trying to support a 680 lb motorcycle at a precarious angle while at the same time struggling to roll the bike back out of the broken wheel chalk!  Once was enough, and the HF went in the scrap metal pile soon after. 

[mr_pacman]

If I intended to leave a bike in a front wheel chalk for an extended period, say all winter, I'd still put a couple of tie-down straps on it, just as a precaution.  You don't need to tighten them beyond snug. The baxley is really only meant for 17 inch rims, but does have one adjustment hole so it can accept an 18 or 19 inch wheel.  I've used it with other sizes than the standard sport-bike 120-17 wheel/tire combo, but feel the further you are from that ideal, the less secure the front end will be.  There's a reason Baxley calls it the "Sport-chalk."  The reason I despise the Harbor Freight versions are (besides country of manufacture) they are thin stamped steel and are prone to flexing.  I tried to roll a large cruiser onto one once, and the chalk flexed enough for one of the pins to pop out of the mounting, nearly ending in disaster.  I suddenly found myself trying to support a 680 lb motorcycle at a precarious angle while at the same time struggling to roll the bike back out of the broken wheel chalk!  Once was enough, and the HF went in the scrap metal pile soon after.

So that Baxley LA model (that appears to be adjustable) would be better for a v7 front wheel then , or do you think the "sport" model would be adequate and safe? 

[Motormike]

So that Baxley LA model (that appears to be adjustable) would be better for a v7 front wheel then , or do you think the "sport" model would be adequate and safe?

Have no experience with the LA model Baxley offers, I'm sure they could help you decide if you wanted to call or email them.  The Condor is fully adjustable for different rim sizes.  Adjustability in a wheel chalk is a double-edged sword.  It gives you the options to use it on different bikes, but all the adjustable pins and hinges make for a weaker structure with more flex.  Thats what makes the Baxley so good...it's all welded and bolted construction.  I use the Baxley in my garage and have two Condors for a motorcycle trailer.  The Condors are aluminum, so they are lighter to carry around, and left on the trailer they don't rust in the rain.  The steel Baxley, even though it's powder coated, will still show a tiny bit of rust here and there if left outdoors in the elements.