I was thinking of getting a motorcycle lift later this year. All though it would be nice to not have to lay on the floor to change the oil and filter, I've
been trying to go through the maintenance procedures in my head and I'm not sure about some of them. Tire changing is the most often performed
procedure and I'm not sure how a lift helps at all when changing the front wheel. Right now when I change tires on my C14, I remove the rear wheel
and then jack up under the headers enough to raise the front wheel enough were I don't have to remove the fender to get the wheel out. It works pretty well.
I'm not sure that would work or be safe with the bike up on a lift. I see in photos, that most not only strap the bike to the lift but have the front wheel in a chock/vice.
I'm beginning to think that a lift is not really going to be all that helpful to me with straps in the way and an inaccessible front wheel. I have other bikes, but I'm
becoming doubtful that a lift will help me service those any better than the C14. I suppose a C14 valve adjustment would be easier, but I'm not sure what else would
if anything. I must be missing something.
I'd appreciate hearing from those of you that have a lift explaining how it helps perform regular maintenance and how you do various procedures.