When the downpipes are OEM, it is usually possible to get a bottle-jack into the groove where the pipes join for the link pipe, and hold it up like that, with the bike resting on the jack and on its side-stand & front wheel (tripod?) - rattle out the (2) 14mm's and Bob's with ya auntie...
...or if ya feeling paranoid, then swing it up onto some bricks and wood... (having good stand or hoists is easier tho')
Lube linkage when apart hey
HopeThatHelps