500R My Center Stand Was Taken Off

[BMOG]

I have a side stand, but my question is what is the best method for my bike to lift it up to do maintanence? Also my bike did not come with the manual does anyone know how many gallons does my tank hold and how many miles do I get to the gallon?

[flurrz]

Originally Posted by BMOG

I have a side stand, but my question is what is the best method for my bike to lift it up to do maintanence? Also my bike did not come with the manual does anyone know how many gallons does my tank hold and how many miles do I get to the gallon?

As far as not having a center stand, you could get one. Or you could get a jack to lift the bike. I changed my oil without a center stand. There's a few things you'll be able to get away with. You should pick up a Haynes manual off of eBay or at pep boys. It'll tell ya almost anything ya need to know about your bike. Good luck!

[eidian]

My local Kawi-only shop said that there is a rear stand that could order for me that would work with 500R--I had the centerstand still so I never bothered. So at least there's a stand out there.

As far as tank capacity and mileage...my spreadsheet says that the most I've ever put into the tank is 3.36 gallons. My average mileage for 2007 was 46.21; take into account that I had a tendency to whack the throttle and I kept the bike rev'ing at about the 5 to 6k mark to keep the bike in the "sweet spot" of the power band, even in the streets. I wasn't speeding, but while "most" riders might be in 5th gear to cruise at 45 in the streets, I would probably be in 4th.

[BMOG]

Thanks for the info!!

[BMOG]

Can I adjust my chain tention and change the oil without some kind of stand?

Originally Posted by eidian

My local Kawi-only shop said that there is a rear stand that could order for me that would work with 500R--I had the centerstand still so I never bothered. So at least there's a stand out there.

As far as tank capacity and mileage...my spreadsheet says that the most I've ever put into the tank is 3.36 gallons. My average mileage for 2007 was 46.21; take into account that I had a tendency to whack the throttle and I kept the bike rev'ing at about the 5 to 6k mark to keep the bike in the "sweet spot" of the power band, even in the streets. I wasn't speeding, but while "most" riders might be in 5th gear to cruise at 45 in the streets, I would probably be in 4th.

[eidian]

Originally Posted by BMOG

Can I adjust my chain tention and change the oil without some kind of stand?

I don't know about the adjusting the chain, the shop did that for me during the 7/8k major service. But I would think that it would be much easier to do if you had the rear wheel up; you could move the wheel a notch and then quickly spin the wheel to see how the chain looks--without the center stand or a rear stand you can't spin the wheel easily. That's just a guess though...

...as for the oil change, you can certainly do that without the center stand--it's just not as easy. I can't remember if you decided to keep the bottom fairing off because of the exhaust being in the way but if you kept it off, good for you...no dealing with having to take the bolts out of the bottom of the bike when it's at an angle. As for the draining and checking of the oil level, that's another story. Without the center stand, when you drain the oil, you'll want to stand the bike straight up to make sure that you get all of the old oil out; some might pool to the left side of the oil pan when it's on the side stand. I don't think that taking the oil filter off will be any more difficult. Then when you fill the engine with new oil, you'll have to stand the bike straight up again each time you want check the level, that's a definite PITA--but not a biggie.

[BMOG]

Originally Posted by eidian

I don't know about the adjusting the chain, the shop did that for me during the 7/8k major service. But I would think that it would be much easier to do if you had the rear wheel up; you could move the wheel a notch and then quickly spin the wheel to see how the chain looks--without the center stand or a rear stand you can't spin the wheel easily. That's just a guess though...

...as for the oil change, you can certainly do that without the center stand--it's just not as easy. I can't remember if you decided to keep the bottom fairing off because of the exhaust being in the way but if you kept it off, good for you...no dealing with having to take the bolts out of the bottom of the bike when it's at an angle. As for the draining and checking of the oil level, that's another story. Without the center stand, when you drain the oil, you'll want to stand the bike straight up to make sure that you get all of the old oil out; some might pool to the left side of the oil pan when it's on the side stand. I don't think that taking the oil filter off will be any more difficult. Then when you fill the engine with new oil, you'll have to stand the bike straight up again each time you want check the level, that's a definite PITA--but not a biggie.

Thanks for the advice, can I have a center stand and side stand at the same time? I can call the dealer where I bought the bike to see if they still have it

[eidian]

Originally Posted by BMOG

Thanks for the advice, can I have a center stand and side stand at the same time? I can call the dealer where I bought the bike to see if they still have it

Yes, the bike actually comes with both. What a lot of people do is they have the bike on the sidestand, they stand the bike up and then they put the center down down...with the side stand still out for "insurance" in case the need to put the back down for some reason. In fact, that's how I filled up the tank at the station, with the bike on the center stand.

The reason why it was taken off was because of the after-market exhaust that was installed on your bike. While the two stock header pipes ran on either side of the bike, all of the after-market singles run more to the center of the bike (though still skewed to one side) so the center stand has to be taken off because it would be "in-the-way". Even if the dealership still had the center stand (which I doubt), you most likely wouldn't be able to re-install it unless you went back to stock.

Try asking your dealership if they have a rear stand that they can order and price it.

[flurrz]

Originally Posted by BMOG

Can I adjust my chain tention and change the oil without some kind of stand?

I adjust my chain and change oil with no stand.

[BMOG]

Originally Posted by eidian

Yes, the bike actually comes with both. What a lot of people do is they have the bike on the sidestand, they stand the bike up and then they put the center down down...with the side stand still out for "insurance" in case the need to put the back down for some reason. In fact, that's how I filled up the tank at the station, with the bike on the center stand.

The reason why it was taken off was because of the after-market exhaust that was installed on your bike. While the two stock header pipes ran on either side of the bike, all of the after-market singles run more to the center of the bike (though still skewed to one side) so the center stand has to be taken off because it would be "in-the-way". Even if the dealership still had the center stand (which I doubt), you most likely wouldn't be able to re-install it unless you went back to stock.

Try asking your dealership if they have a rear stand that they can order and price it.

I was told be careful with adjusting my chain if I am not sure what I am doing because of the bolts are not on correctly it can cause big problems

[eidian]

Originally Posted by BMOG

I was told be careful with adjusting my chain if I am not sure what I am doing because of the bolts are not on correctly it can cause big problems

That statement is actually true for any maintenance that you do on your bike. You can say...

...be careful when...

...adjusting the chain
...changing the brake pads
...changing the tires
...changing the oil

I think that the "fear" that you have for doing the chain is justified (no one is more paranoid than I am...I guarantee it), I just think that you need to apply a "healthy" does of conscientiousness when you do anything to your bike. Something as "simple" as not tigtening the screws that hold your throttle assembly together could end up being painful if you're hot-dogging it through the twities. Like you were told, just be careful.

[JimmyD]

Adjusting the chain was a big one for me, it seemed overly involved for some reason, but once you do it, (or have someone show you how to do it) its pretty easy to do.

It's about 2000x easier with a centerstand though.

[love2ride]

It may be better to just get bike stands. I paid $150 for these T-Rex Race Stands, they included the rear stand, and front with triple tree attachement.

The dealer may charge more just for a center stand.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...8KZ1000010.jpg

[eidian]

Originally Posted by love2ride

It may be better to just get bike stands. I paid $150 for these T-Rex Race Stands, they included the rear stand, and front with triple tree attachement.

The dealer may charge more just for a center stand.

Agreed, stands make life so easy; I just had mine up on my rear stand so that I could take off the rear set to grease the gear shifter just now. That's a nice set up love2ride! I'm curious, what is the rear stand mounted to? The 500R has nothing that accomodates spools for a rear stand unfortunately.

[BMOG]

Originally Posted by eidian

Agreed, stands make life so easy; I just had mine up on my rear stand so that I could take off the rear set to grease the gear shifter just now. That's a nice set up love2ride! I'm curious, what is the rear stand mounted to? The 500R has nothing that accomodates spools for a rear stand unfortunately.

That is the question I have aswell on the 500R what would the stands hook to?

[love2ride]

They are universal. One side has a flat bracket the other spool hooks.

[eidian]

Originally Posted by love2ride

They are universal. One side has a flat bracket the other spool hooks.

So would something like my set-up work the 500R if the spool hooks were turned to the outside?

[love2ride]

Originally Posted by eidian

So would something like my set-up work the 500R if the spool hooks were turned to the outside?

Yup, the red rubber pieces are the universal swingarm supports.

[BMOG]

Originally Posted by love2ride

Yup, the red rubber pieces are the universal swingarm supports.

Where Can I find one those stands?

[BMOG]

Is there a video out there that can show me how to change my oil?