Why when maintenance or anything is done w the rear wheel in the air are you supposed to put the bike in 6th gear to move the pistons around to tdc? Why wouldn't 1st or 2nd gear be ok?

 

Probably to give you more control with the wider gear ratio. Using 1st would have you going by it easily.

 

^^^^^tadaaaa^^^^^

 

Because it's a higher gear and moves easier.

If you had to push your vehicle it would be harder to push in a lower gear than a higher gear.

Try it.

 

I have completed three cam swaps, I found as long as the plugs are out you can use the crank nut, go easy, no issues and easier than banging the rear wheel.

 

I think it's just the opposite. First gear makes it easier for the motor to turn over the wheel, so working from the other end back, it would be more difficult for the wheel to drive the motor. As one of the other posters said, think about how much easier they are to push in a higher gear.

 

stop!! back away from that mechanical device , read about gear ratio.
then , if you decide to use 1st gear , work on your arm strength..

 

Makes sense. Thanks everyone

 

Nope

Example: Park a car with manual tranny on a steep hill
With transmission in 6th gear, there is a chance it will begin rolling down the hill.
With transmission in 1st gear, it will be much harder to get rolling.

Same deal with you push start a car or bike.
You use a higher gear, then when you let the clutch out the engine turns over and fires.
If in 1st gear, you can a good chance of the tire just sliding when you let the clutch out.

 

The answer is simple. It is the opposite of starting in low. which does not turn the rear wheel fast. However turning the engine over with the rear wheel the high gear is the low gear for the wheel to turn the engine.