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I'm now the proud owner of an Abba stand and am mighty impressed... (although less impressed that I didn't buy blenks' one and saved a couple of quid!) but here's a Q for you all...where is the best place to support the front of the bike whilst its on the Abba stand for removal of forks?

The obvious place, when you have a nosey, is underneath the oil tank... but since thats just bolted onto the side of the engine I don't think its the best place to use...

Any advice appreciated!

support via a sling over the rafters if you can.. about the best way of doing it. I wouldn't recommend putting anything under the sump/tank or anywhere that's not supposed to be jacked from. You could also get yourself a head-stock stand.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STFL-COMPLETE-SET ... 483aeabc4a

Can be a little constrictive on space, but they do the job well.

Will's suggestions are best ..... but when you don't have suitable rafters or a headstock stand to hand this is what "someone I know" did.

Supporting the bike near its centre of mass with an Abba or Ulti-Pro stand, the bike was jacked up under the exhaust - this seeming stronger than the oil tank. There is very little weight on the jack - it basically just takes the front wheel off the ground. I certainly wouldn't do this with a paddock stand at the end of the swingarm as it would put too much weight on the jacking point.






I'm aware that this might be a bit "frowned upon" and it's a "do it at your own risk" approach but it did the job.

Ok thanks for tips folks... I think I'll try the trolley jack under the exhaust method... I don't think the rafters in the garage look very strong so I'd better not use that method.

I see you left the only tool you will EVER need in the picture

... and as an afterthought, wouldn't strapping the back of the bike down have the same effect?

my preferred option is to ratchet strap the back of the bike down....

I have just acquired a nice hydraulic bike lift and that does make life easier - I just need some sheet steel to make it wide enough for the abba stand!

err yes .... but probably few of us have tie-down fixings embedded in our drives - whereas sliding in a trolley jack doesn't really require mich in the way of special facilities ..... it's a practicality thing ....