Front Fork Lift

Anyone using a front fork lift? What model? I'm going to get a centerstand, but need something for the front.

 

I'm not a big fan of front fork lifts. Kind of a pain when it comes to front wheel removal. I prefer a headlift stand, much more secure. Picks the bike up via the triple tree.

Specifically I use the pitbull hybrid headlift. http://www.pit-bull.com/product/F0100-000.html

You'll just need a adapter pin if needed (check their sizing chart)

 

These are great and cheap but probably too far away (although they all come from China). An easy one-handed lift and nice and steady. You need to make sure that you get the right size adaptor to fit through the hole in the steering stem, IIRC that was 24mm for my VTR. I use the stand all the time and it is great in combination with a rear swingarm stand.



http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7S7LNNFH/title/torpedo7-motorcycle-front-head-lift-stand

 

I've had this one for nearly 8 years and happy with it: http://www.discountramps.com/front-motorcycle-stand/p/BW-06/

A great plus is not just the cheap pricing but it's adjustable so that you can use it on any bike.

 

The bonus with the head lift stand is that you can easily remove the forks for servicing (or endlessly changing shims as in my case...).

I made a stand from wood that you can rest the end of the forks on. On my VFR I just put it on the centre stand, jack up the front, slip my wood stand under the forks and then I can remove the jack and the wheel. Its a lot steadier on the wood stand than the jack.

 

I'll be getting one of these soon. It'll allow for using under the fork tube as well as the headlift. This will give me the ability to lift any bike by the fork tubes but specifically for my bikes, use the headlift portion. I do quite a bit of tire changes for myself and my riding partners so I'll just need the one stand.

 

mine's held up well. Bonus, there's threads in the frame for hanging calipers.

 

Yep, that's the one I have and it works a champ. I've had it for probably 15 years, and it still is great lift.

 

Pit Bull stands are the way to go IMO. I've gotten lucky twice now. I acquired two Pit Bull stands for cheap. I grabbed a standard swing arm stand and a single sided swing arm stand for $80 and $60 respectively. Cost another $30 for the VFR pin for single sided stand but still less than retail. I've been looking for the dual lift stand but haven't gotten as lucky...yet!

 

So is this the one I'd need for my '13? What other pin will I need to get with it?

http://www.amazon.com/Pit-Bull-Hybr...sbs_263_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=15PTAFAKAG537ZAR0GR4

 

well, lucky for you the vfr1200 uses the standard pin which is included already with the stand so you shouldn't have to order anything extra.

a word of caution when using these headlift style stands though. You need to make sure it's height is adjusted correctly before taking the weight of the motorcycle. Make sure there's nothing between the top of front wheel and under the triple tree that's going to get in the way (lower portion of front cowl, brake lines etc..) So do a couple of dry runs before actually lifting the front end off the ground.

In the case of my 800, the stock horn had to be removed to use the lift. But since I've upgraded to an aftermarket one, this isn't a problem now.

 

If you have a centerstand there's no real need for a front stand as the wheel can be raised easily.

 

That was my thought, but then there really isn't much to support the bike with the front wheel off, except the exhaust, or the tiny oil sump.

 

I've used the jack/block under the headers on my 5th gen a number of times but I never trust it! I have to make sure I loosen as many big fasteners as possible before lifting the front.



The head stand is much nicer and steadier.

 

For safety, I went with the Abba lift. Can either raise the front or rear rock solid. Unfortunately, they don't make adapters for my 83 VF750, I used jack stands under both sides of the frame. To get the front end up high enough, I used a patio stone under the center stand. That's where I got into trouble as it was too close to the end of the block. It was fine till I went to get it off, and the right side slipped off, causing the bike to tip over to the right. Bike was in same spot as in the picture, I went through the fiberglass panels on right, and bike ended up on my right foot! Luckily the front fairing and gas tank were off, so there was not even a scratch! Foot was sore, as the old girl is no feather weight.