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Makes And Models => Energica => Topic started by: DonTom on March 29, 2022, 02:24:52 AM

Title: Front tire removal
Post by: DonTom on March 29, 2022, 02:24:52 AM
I doubt if this way would be recommended by Energica and I hope  I am doing no damage to the bottom of the battery case, but after trying every type of motorcycle stand I own, I found this seems to work best for front tire removal. I will know for sure after I get the wheel back on. Bike is nice and stable for now. I am going to let Road Rider replace the front tire on the wheel tomorrow. Like most motorcycle shops, they are closed on Mondays.


But what do others here do to get the front wheel off an Energica? Mine is the 2020 Esse Esse 9.


I removed the plastic around the battery and used the same little lift I use on my Zeros. I put some carboard between the lift and bike.


IMO, all bikes should have a stock centerstand! More than worth the added weight and cost.




-Don- Reno, NV
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: NEW2elec on March 29, 2022, 02:40:21 AM
You can get a stand for $197 from Energica.  I wonder if that's just the bottom of the battery case or some other component.

In bicycle racing you either had to go full Italian or other.  Everything was different.
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: DonTom on March 29, 2022, 03:11:22 AM
You can get a stand for $197 from Energica.  I wonder if that's just the bottom of the battery case or some other component.


I wondered the same, I didn't take a good look at it.  It doesn't have the total weight of the bike on it, so it's probably okay.


Do you mean this stand? (https://www.af1racing.com/Energica-Headstock-Stand)



-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: NEW2elec on March 29, 2022, 03:25:30 AM
I'm sure that one would work but I saw it on the Energica site under the build your own bike accessories section.
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: DonTom on March 29, 2022, 03:34:43 AM
I'm sure that one would work but I saw it on the Energica site under the build your own bike accessories section.
I just now ordered both stands (from and rear) from AF1 Racing:



Energica Headstock Stand
SKU: ENF002381
Special Order -- Usually Ships in About 1-2 Weeks   $174.99 (USD)   1   $174.99 (USD)
Energica Rear Stand With Spools - ENS003354
SKU: ENS003354
Special Order -- Usually Ships in About 1-2 Weeks   $109.99 (USD)   1   $109.99 (U\

I had no idea they sold their own stands. Your message was very helpful to me--thanks. I will be ready for my next tire change to do it the correct way, which will should be less hassle than what I did do.

-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: NEW2elec on March 29, 2022, 08:51:43 AM
Hey your welcome Don.  I try to give back with little things now and then.  My advanced electronic knowledge is lacking but I make a good go-for/intern.

 I changed my tires last weekend and I was so sore I could hardly walk for a few days.  A bit harder than bicycle tires.
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: DonTom on March 29, 2022, 10:25:48 AM
ZHey your welcome Don.  I try to give back with little things now and then.  My advanced electronic knowledge is lacking but I make a good go-for/intern.

 I changed my tires last weekend and I was so sore I could hardly walk for a few days.  A bit harder than bicycle tires.
Tires have changed over the years. A couple of major changes is how front tires used to last twice as long as the rear, but now they last half as long and the other is when we try to take the tires off the rims with hand tools.

I can remember when I first got my 2002 Suzuki DR200 SE. I could change the first tire (tubed) with ease. By the time I needed a 2nd tire, I gave up trying to do it myself with the exact same tools I used before. I may be older, but not that much.

Now I only take the wheels off and bring them to a shop for the tire to be replaced. The local RoadRider here in Reno said they can change the  tire on my Energica wheel and they even have what I need in stock and I should be able to pick up the wheel with a new tire a few hours after I bring it down to them, which will be tomorrow (Tuesday). They are closed on Mondays.

-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: Richard230 on March 29, 2022, 07:50:55 PM
Hey your welcome Don.  I try to give back with little things now and then.  My advanced electronic knowledge is lacking but I make a good go-for/intern.

 I changed my tires last weekend and I was so sore I could hardly walk for a few days.  A bit harder than bicycle tires.

I have been changing tires with manual tire irons on a piece of cardboard on my garage floor for the past 55 years. I agree that it is becoming more difficult now than back then. Having a second set of hands (with some muscle) sure helps, though.  ;)

And I agree with Don that front tires are wearing out a lot faster then they used to do. On sport radial tires the front tires now seem to wear out about 50% faster than the rear. However, the old tube-type tires of my Royal Enfield are more traditional. My front tire still looks like new after 4K miles, while the rear Dunlop K70 tire dissolved off of the rim over that same mileage. But at least it is a cheap tire to buy, except for the added cost of a new tube.  (I sure do like tubeless tires mounted on sealed rims, though.  :)  )
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: DonTom on March 29, 2022, 08:21:47 PM
And I agree with Don that front tires are wearing out a lot faster then they used to do. On sport radial tires the front tires now seem to wear out about 50% faster than the rear.
But I assume the new softer front tires are a lot safer by having much better traction than the old tires. But I think they over-did it. It would be nice if both tires wore out at about the same time.


My rear tire on my Energica has plenty of thread left. My front tire is worn out. But I think I have around  8K miles on that bike, so that isn't too bad.


-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: Richard230 on March 30, 2022, 03:25:16 AM
My original Zero front tire wore out twice as fast as the rear tire. My guess is that might have been helped along by the weight of my Power Tank. I bet there is more weight on the front tire than the rear tire, due to the Power Tank's location.

I just recall that I weighed my bike a few years ago on two electronic scales. The front tire was supporting 266 pounds, while the rear tire was supporting 203 pounds, for a total weight of 469 pounds.
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: andyman on March 30, 2022, 06:59:06 AM
If you have the space it may be better to install a ceiling mounted winch.  That way you can use it for your other bikes and it lifts the bike by the front of the frame.  I've beeing doing that for years and its been incredibly useful.  I also recently lifted my Ego to adjust the front forks.
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: DonTom on March 30, 2022, 07:19:38 AM
If you have the space it may be better to install a ceiling mounted winch.  That way you can use it for your other bikes and it lifts the bike by the front of the frame.  I've beeing doing that for years and its been incredibly useful.  I also recently lifted my Ego to adjust the front forks.
I thought about that idea while i was trying to figure a way to get the front wheel off in a garage full of tools & cycle stuff.


Anyway, I have the wheel back on with a new tire, no damage was done that I can see, but I have to put more of the bike back together before I do a test ride.


-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: Demoni on March 30, 2022, 08:30:43 AM
Honestly we don't use front stands when swapping forks or removing front wheels in the shop, they just get in the way.

Rear stand is used to stabilize the bike, then a jack like the one you have pictured under the front 1/2 of the battery case.
For the 13.4 batteries I use 4 hockey pucks to account for the v shaped bottom of the batter pack, for the 21.5 just directly lift.


Title: Re: Front tire removal
Post by: DonTom on March 30, 2022, 10:24:46 AM
Honestly we don't use front stands when swapping forks or removing front wheels in the shop, they just get in the way.

Rear stand is used to stabilize the bike, then a jack like the one you have pictured under the front 1/2 of the battery case.
For the 13.4 batteries I use 4 hockey pucks to account for the v shaped bottom of the batter pack, for the 21.5 just directly lift.
Interesting that what I did is about the same way Energica does it.


Have you tried the Energica stands like the ones I just ordered?  Am I better off to not use the front and do what I did this last time? I also have some hockey pucks here. I didn't think about using them this time, but the several layers of carboard did the trick. But I have found hockey pucks to be useful around motorcycles for several jobs. Also for when the sidestand is too short.


-Don-  Reno, NV