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Ok to Lay Bike on it's Side?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Dark-Farmer, May 12, 2021.

  1. Dark-Farmer

    Dark-Farmer Member

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    Hey Guys

    Was hoping to get opinions if it's a bad idea to lay my bike on it's side?
    (it's an 82 XJ650 Maxim)

    My kickstand broke the other day and I'm looking for a welder to weld it back in place.
    One welder I'm talking to asked if it's ok to lay the bike on it's side to do the work?

    I initially said no, but figured I'd get a second opinion.

    Also thinking if I drained the oil and took the gas tank off and drained the carb it might be ok to do so?
     
  2. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    The carbs will dump fuel, so avoid laying it down if you can.
    Prop it up with something sturdy if you can. An unexpected tip-over can hurt someone or hurt the bike.
     
    k-moe likes this.
  3. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Take the tank off, drain the fuel from the carbs or run it until it stops, remove the battery, as you say. It will be fine.
     
    k-moe likes this.
  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Battery removal is a must if it's a normal Wet Lead-Acid battery. If it's anything else it can be left in place.
     
    Jetfixer likes this.
  5. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    lay it on its side:eek: not if your rolling down the road;)
     
    Andrew Nichols likes this.
  6. tj.

    tj. Active Member

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    Disconnect the ground if your not going to remove the battery...welding can do strange things to electronics.
     
  7. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    Drain the oil , and the carbs , and has been stated remove tank , and battery you are not going to have it on side for long .
     
  8. Brent NZ

    Brent NZ Active Member

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    If your engineer can't weld in-situ I would question their ability, recommend getting someone else to do the job.
     
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  9. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    if your welding the kick stand bracket to the frame you should make sure there's a frame there to weld to
    that's where frames rust from the inside
     
    Jetfixer, XJ550H and Franz like this.
  10. JCH

    JCH Active Member

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    Yes you need to drain the engine oil or it can go into the air box and saturate your air filter via the PCV vent hose.
     
  11. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    This is a very important point. Why is this broken? How about a pic?
     
  12. Dark-Farmer

    Dark-Farmer Member

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    Thanks for all the advice guys.
    It seems like the welder will be able to it without tipping it.
    It didn't look very rusty to me, I'll post a pic.
    (Excuse the pictures it's sort of tough getting a photo under the bike)

    Beside the removing the battery is there anything else welding could damage that I should protect?

    20210512_102325.jpg
    20210512_102343.jpg
     
  13. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    That weld failed because there was no penetration.
    Clean it as best you can, remove the wiring in the way, remove the paint, try to remove the old weld filler.
    Get the bike leaned over so your welder is comfortable, once he sticks his head under there he won't have room to work his stinger.
     
  14. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    Wow, the weld had no penetration!
     
  15. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I'd be inclined to unplug the TCI.
     
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  16. Dark-Farmer

    Dark-Farmer Member

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    I know nothing about welding ....
    That's why I'm looking for someone for this job.

    Funny it lasted so long.
    I've owned the bike for at least 7 years myself.
    Nothing is telling me this has been repaired in the past either; but I know nothing about welding lol.

    I had the bike standing all day at work on the kick stand and it didn't fail.
    Went to a gas station to fill up on my way home and almost dropped the bike cause it was like the kick stand wasn't there.
    Could have been worse I guess, would have sucked to find my bike on it's side in a parking lot or my garage.
     
  17. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Why not just use the center stand?
     
  18. Dark-Farmer

    Dark-Farmer Member

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    I have been. I like the kickstand a lot better.
    I read the "tricks" for the centre stand on here cause I was having a tough time with it.
    Definitely made it easier when I knew how to do it properly.
    But I'm not the largest guy, if I had maybe 20 more pounds to me I think it would be easier.
    I just miss my kickstand .....
     
  19. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  20. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    I literally rode my bike for 20 years and never could get it on the center stand by myself...until I read correct technique on youtube one night. I went into the garage at midnight to try and viola....easy peasy when you use the right technique. I was laughing at myself so hard in the garage moving the bike on and off the stand repeatedly... my wife came out to see what I was doing....LOL.
     
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