Bike stand recommendations?

Message

Viking · #1 Post by **Viking** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:41 pm

Hi all,

Am looking around for a stand that will let me get the front wheel up off the ground so I can check (and replace if needed) the head-stem bearings.

I've seen the "ABBA Superbike combination" pack on Ebay (see link below) and the shipping cost is eye-watering.

Does anyone have pointers to something similar / equivalent / affordable?

I do not have access to a workshop with exposed beams, nor do I have a jack to lift the bike with. (I do have a rear paddock stand, and a front one that goes under the ends of the forks. A bit useless here!)

Nor do I have access to a welder to make my own. (I don't actually have a workshop at all, and that really sucks.)

Thanks,
V

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/abba-Superbi ... 19e85910a2

Tonyunn · #2 Post by **Tonyunn** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:44 pm

No real recommendation but if you can afford the Abba stand get it, I got one last year and it is the best thing I could have done, they are simply brilliant at what they do, one person operation to lift you bike up.

I messed around with paddock stand for a while but they are two person jobs, I nearly dropped the bike doing otherwise.

wayno · #3 Post by **wayno** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:58 pm

I use an old NWS Ultipro, much cheaper than the ABBA (second-hand, these are now unavailable new) and universal. Not sure if they ever come up down under, but in the UK, when they do pop up they can be had for as little as £30.

Here are some plans if you fancy making your own stand though

http://www.exup1000.co.uk/workshop/stigsstand.htm

squadron Nero · #4 Post by **squadron Nero** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 5:39 pm

Tonyunn wrote:No real recommendation but if you can afford the Abba stand get it, I got one last year and it is the best thing I could have done, they are simply brilliant at what they do, one person operation to lift you bike up.

I messed around with paddock stand for a while but they are two person jobs, I nearly dropped the bike doing otherwise.

What he said

fatboy · #5 Post by **fatboy** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:18 pm

Have a look on ebay ect for front paddock stands that lift from the steering head, was looking recently at a german one for £59

Viking · #6 Post by **Viking** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:26 am

Thanks for the answers everyone.

The only problem with UK / European shops is the outrageous shipping they charge.

I've managed to find a head-stem lifter from a shop in Sydney for AU$140 + AU$8 shipping.

For any Aussies after the stand:

http://www.mcas.com.au/motorcycle-acces ... lift-stand

wayno · #7 Post by **wayno** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:25 am

I have one like that, they're very tight to the fairings so be extra careful when setting it in position.

Handy things. Make sure you have the rear up on a stand first or the bike will go over sideways.

Viking · #8 Post by **Viking** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:25 am

wayno wrote:I have one like that, they're very tight to the fairings so be extra careful when setting it in position.

Handy things. Make sure you have the rear up on a stand first or the bike will go over sideways.

Well, I've leant it to a mate so he can work on his BlackBird first. I figured I'd let him figure out how the stand works before I use it on the Falco...

I have a paddock stand, so no dramas there, and his 'bird has a centre-stand. (Remember them?)

Dalemac · #9 Post by **Dalemac** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:15 pm

I have a front stand for the steering stem, a rear paddock stand (with swingarm bobbins) and an abba stand.

It epends on the job being done as to which is used. The front can only be used when either of the other stands is already i use.

If i am just wanting to lube the chain i use the rear paddock stand. If the bike is going to be suspended for any period of time i use the abba stand.