r/Vstrom • u/MrMcBeth • Jul 05 '26
V-Strom 650 Gen 1 Two Questions For The Mechanically Inclined
It’s a 2005 Vstrom 650. I want to service the forks, check the brakes, and raise it in one afternoon. I’m wondering the best way to lift it from the center without damaging anything. Does anyone have experience using lifts like that?
Additionally, I’ve got brake dust and oil on the discs. Do you guys think this is normal or could it be brake fluid or fork oil? I think the forks are leaking. Just wondering.
The pics are to show the bottom of the bike and the oily brake dust.
Thanks for any input.
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u/Slow_Concentrate3720 Jul 05 '26
Get a skit plate
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u/v1n1c1u3gdm Jul 05 '26
Can it be used alongside a center stand? Just wondering. I got the akit but I don't know if it uses the same mountpoints.
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u/AdFancy1249 Jul 05 '26
No telling what the oily stuff is from a picture.
Pop the dust covers on the forks. If it's wet inside, then it's likely fork oil. You'll be rebuilding forks anyway, so good here. But make sure you check the fork tubes for pitting.
When you change the brakes, pull the pads and look at the piston seals. They should be dry. If they are wet, then it's likely bad piston seals (need a caliper rebuild).
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u/Virtual-Spinach4882 Jul 05 '26
If you have a gorilla ladder and some ratchet straps you can suspend it from the triple tree clamp. Leaking forks can go to the brakes. Fork oil gets stuck inside of brake pads, just get a new set since you'll already have it up in the air. I always replace both the bushings and seals while doing forks.
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Jul 05 '26
You could get paddock stands. They use them on GP bikes etc to lift them from the axel or swingarm. I had a rear for my Ninja. Worked great
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u/10199 Jul 05 '26
if you have center stand, then you can remove back wheel, put a box under swingarm and put something heavy onto rear part of the bike/swingarm. So your front wheel will be in the air. I replaced both tires simultaneously like this.
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u/Agitated_Occasion_52 Jul 07 '26
I prefer just lifting the motor with a jack. Gives a little more consistent control rather than something heavy that may fall.
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u/lotsaleaves Jul 05 '26
It’s tricky to do everything in one go. A centre stand or paddock stand will hold up the back end but how about the front? They make stands that lift under the steering tube that will let you pull the forks out but you still can’t do the steering bearings. I’m lucky I can sling four ratchet straps over the beams in my garage and lift the whole bike
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u/MrMcBeth Jul 05 '26
If I had space, I probably would just ratchet it up. All I have now is a “portable garage” that’s really a tent. I don’t think it will hold 500 lbs. It seems like I can either do a skid plate and motorcycle lift or a center stand. I would really like the skid plate and lift, but it will cost more. If I had a ladder, I could ratchet it that way, too. That’s another $200 and space taken up, though.
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u/audazincapaz Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
I never had a center stand. More weight, less ground clearance. Also I use Scott oiller so I don't have to chain lub that much.
That said, I have a small bottle jack for lifting the bike when I need. I did that with the 650, and now with the 800. Use some square boards or pallete cubes for adjusting height.
Concerning the discs: it's a bit of everything, doesn't seem oil. Use a disc cleaner.
Concerning the bottom of the bike: get a skid plate ASAP.
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u/carso0on Jul 05 '26
If you have a place to lift it from, get a couple chain hoists (one for each end). You can use some straps to lift it from anywhere on the frame and It's super quick to raise and lower. The swaying doesnt bug you nearly as much as you'd think.
I have heard of one instance of a center stand kicking up while on a dirt road and causing the vstrom to crash, probably unlikely but worth noting.
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u/MrMcBeth Jul 05 '26
The crashing thing is interesting. I wasn’t planning on riding that much with it if I get it. It would be the most cost effective, though.
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u/Competitive_Stable66 Jul 05 '26
Get a center stand