Changing fluids while on a center stand?
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2007
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Changing fluids while on a center stand?
I don't have a center stand or a lift yet. I'm trying to decide if I want a lift to change all the fluilds or can everything be done while sitting on a center stand? Any thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Depends on how often you change fluids and if you like laying on the ground.
A center stand (mounted to the bike) will hold the bike upright. A wheel chock (or a couple straps) will do the same and are cheaper but aren't attached to the bike.
A Jack will raise the bike up, making it easier to get at the underside of the bike.
A table lift will raise the bike up higher, making it even easier to work.
None are required for fluid changes, each device has advantages and disadvantages.
A center stand (mounted to the bike) will hold the bike upright. A wheel chock (or a couple straps) will do the same and are cheaper but aren't attached to the bike.
A Jack will raise the bike up, making it easier to get at the underside of the bike.
A table lift will raise the bike up higher, making it even easier to work.
None are required for fluid changes, each device has advantages and disadvantages.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 832
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From: NC foothills
Fluids need to be drained with the bike upright! A jack is nice for most everything but with a fluid change no where to put a catch pan. I have a condor dock I ride mine up into and just lie on the garage floor , and use cheap turkey pan from the grocery store to catch the fluids!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 474
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From: Virginia
According to my manual, the crankcase oil should be changed leaning on the jiffy stand. The Primary & Trans are upright and I have the Wheeldock Center Stand for that and works great. I gave away my jack after I put on my center stand.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 216
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From: Rincon, GA
I have centerstands on my both my Road Glide and the wife's Electra Glide. They really are nice for washing, checking tires, parking close together, and loading when we are getting ready to hit the road. I also have a table lift for doing my maintenance and it is well worth the money. After just one service on each bike and one rear tire change, the cost had been absorbed. Now any time I want to just put it on the lift to get it in the air to polish I can and any service is done not laying on the floor.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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A lift isn't needed for changing fluids. IMO, doing it on the side stand is just as easy. A lift only gets in the way of your drain pain. Some people seem to find it tough finding a drain pain to slide under their bike. I use an anti-freeze jug with the side cut out. That's not to say that you won't want a lift for other jobs. I like mine even for washing/waxing, just not changing the oil.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
I use Xxxflhrci's method of changing on the side-stand, but after the engine and tranny drain I right the bike and let them drain completely, which takes only a short time. The primary oil will drain completely on the kickstand. I agree that lifts get in the way and I don't mind lying on a bath mat on the garage floor. I use some old photo-chemical trays (16x20" is best), which are shallow, but my regular oil drain pan I use for the car won't fit. Xxxflhrci's idea of a turkey pan sounds like a good one. I buy oil by the 5-gal. pail to save money and use the empties to collect the used oil, then take the pails to a recycling area to dump it.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
I agree that the manual says to change the crankcase oil on the jiffy stand, but you will get another 3rd to 1/2 quart when it is up right. As was said, just sit on the bike and hold it up right a couple minutes.
Beary
Beary
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