[CRASH!]

Question for you handy guys.....

What do you guys without center stands do when working on the suspension loop or shock? My center stand is rusted in place, so it's coming off. Just got my Pit Bull rear stand delivered today (my wife calls me at work........"So, you bought a motorcycle stand?").

I've replaced the rear suspension loop using the center stand and it was a piece of cake. The bike was supported by the engine and the suspension was unloaded. With the rear stand, the suspension will be compressed.

What do you guys do, jack up the engine with a floor jack? If so, how do you stabilize the bike? Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[MonsterHooligan]

http://www.ducatisuite.com/rearsuspension.html
or this: (i've got the Motowheels version of this...dont know if they still make it)

 

[CRASH!]

So you're tellin' me I gotta buy another stand.

I'll have to have this one shipped to work.

 

[Fillmore]

Another option is the Cycle Cat Shop Service Stand. I've got one and rebuilt my entire bike using it. It's very stable and sturdy, perfect for those big jobs or times when you want to have the bike off its wheels for extended periods.

http://www.cyclecat.com/SS1-1.htm

I'd like to have one of those temporary center stands that Higgie has too. Either would work for what you want, but I think they were developed for different long-term requirements.

BTW, I had to take my shock two times before I got the DSS. The first time I just had a big rugby player friend of mine hold the rear of the bike up and the second time I put it on front and rear stands, used tie downs to hang the rear grab handles from my garage rafters and then removed the rear stand to take the pressure off of the swingarm.

--Fillmore

 

[Mark1305]

I have a cherry picker style engine hoist for either end of the bike if my rear stand isn't right for the job. I've seen pics of hoists/comealongs hung from garage ceiling beams, too.

I used the hoist to unload the rear when I measured the free length of the rear spring and set the sag. I'll be using it again maybe to dial in a little rear ride height at the bottom of the suspension arch or loop.

 

[MonsterHooligan]

I've also got one of these for hoisting my big-a$$ Suzuki
Cost $60 at my local autoparts store.
I'm hoping to use it to lift the motor and take the frame off (the pipes are in the way and have to come off first)
We'll see.... [smiley=undecided.gif]

 

[infoage1]

Question for you handy guys.....

What do you guys without center stands do when working on the suspension loop or shock? My center stand is rusted in place, so it's coming off. Just got my Pit Bull rear stand delivered today (my wife calls me at work........"So, you bought a motorcycle stand?").

I've replaced the rear suspension loop using the center stand and it was a piece of cake. The bike was supported by the engine and the suspension was unloaded. With the rear stand, the suspension will be compressed.

What do you guys do, jack up the engine with a floor jack? If so, how do you stabilize the bike? Enquiring minds want to know.

I put a small bottle-jack between the hugger and the bottom of the seat (protected at both ends with a small piece of plywood and a towel). It sounds kinda hack, but it makes it very easy to adjust the height to get the eyes lined up. I don't think I even bothered with the rear stand.

 

[Guest]

I went to the local auto parts store and bought a set of axle stands....those things with the pyramid base and the height-adjustable shafts.

When I lift the bike onto the rear stand I stop at the half-way point (since that apex of the lift process is higher than where the bike is when the stand is fully down/in place) and have

 

[CRASH!]

Cool.

A lot of clever solutions.

Any more ideas, keep 'em coming.

TIA

 

[Guest]

another idea along similar lines with the jack-stand but more stable i think...
slide a steel rod through the bore in the rear of the engine case. lift the bike on the swingarm stand to get elevation. position jackstands under the steel rod on either side of the bike. remove swingarm stand and the rear wheel will hang. since the jackstands are out a bit from the center of the bike, it'll have a bit more side-to-side stability while you're wrenching. as noted already, strap the handlebars or lock the steering.

 

[CRASH!]

I like this one a LOT! I have plenty of jack stands, just gotta get some rod stock.

 

[Ken_the_Carp]

Two jack stands and a steel

 

[sivan]

I saw Motostrano offering a stand that goes under non-folding footpegs for racing rearsets. I just put the bike on car jacks supporting the footpegs. I can adjust the swingarm up and down with a bottle jack.

 

[dj]

Personally, I use webbing. ;D

The previous owner of my house was a big chopper guy. He installed a rolling ceiling hook so he could move engines and stuff from the front to the back of the garage easily. It's bolted in deep to the joists, and will probably hold a couple of bikes.

So, I just tie my girl up with a set tie-downs with the racketing system to the hooks and pick her up. Not quite so solid when needing to apply some 'serious' force, but fine for regular maintenance like front tire replacement.

-dj

 

[Guest]

Personally, I use webbing.

 

[Guest]

anyone have a ez rizer motorcycle lift? how do like/? also the 1/2 in. rod can be had at home depot where the stakes /rebar is.

 

[sivan]

It's narrower than 1/2", at least on my bike. Be sure to measure before getting one.

 

[dj]

You got "the swing" for the wife??