A: The best way to support your bike depends on the type of service or repair you’re conducting. You need to have easy access to the components and their fasteners, room to maneuver your tools and a support method that can withstand the amount of force you’ll be applying to the bike (such as when loosening a stubborn bolt).

You may be able to accomplish some minor services with the motorcycle leaning on its side stand. If your bike has a center stand, that may be useful for a number of services, but place a chock in contact with the front of your front tire so the bike doesn’t roll off the stand if you apply force to the bike in the forward direction. If your bike doesn’t have a center stand, or for more complex procedures, you can use a motorcycle jack, a racing stand or a motorcycle lift.

With a motorcycle jack, it is critical that the head of the jack contacts a surface under the motorcycle that will provide stability, without damage to any motorcycle components. The frame or engine case may be appropriate; the oil pan or exhaust pipes probably are not. Always follow manufacturer’s directions, and be careful not to apply so much force that you push the bike off the jack.

Racing stands are available in a variety of styles. Some are fixed-position platforms intended for lightweight motocross bikes. For those, you lift and place the bike atop the stand. Other models lift the bike from the rear axle, swingarm, or special “spools” mounted to the swingarm; some lift from the front fork legs or steering stem; and some newer models lift the entire bike (usually specially outfitted sport bikes) from the center, above the swingarm pivot.

If you frequently work on your motorcycles, you might want to invest in a portable motorcycle lift (and an air compressor to provide the lifting force). With a wheel chock or clamp for the front wheel, plus various tie-down points, it can provide greater security than other methods. More importantly, these lifts can raise a bike 30 inches or higher, minimizing the contortions and strains on your body and making it easier to see what you’re working on. Use caution when rolling the bike onto and off the lift.

There are some simple steps you can take to make your garage time safer, more fun and productive. Give your bike a good cleaning before working on it, and have plenty of extra rags. Make sure you have good lighting and adequate ventilation (especially when working with fuel, oil, coolant, brake fluid or cleaners). If you need to run the engine, make sure the exhaust is directed to the outdoors. Wear appropriate gloves to help improve your grip on tools and protect your hands from sharp edges, hot components, and chemicals. Have a trash can handy.

Gather required tools before you begin the job and clean them before you put them away. Lay out towels or trays on which to arrange the parts you remove. On the bike, cover up paintwork and components adjacent to your work area to avoid damage from tools that slip or parts that drop. Place towels under the bike to minimize the possibility of washers and other small parts rolling away if they fall. For complex procedures, use a service manual and take photos during disassembly to help you during reassembly. Dispose of old fluids properly.

When you’re done, take a break and return to double-check your work with fresh eyes and conduct an MSF T-CLOCS pre-ride inspection before you consider the bike ready to ride. Then reward yourself with a nice ride. You’ve earned it!