Maintenance Stands

I searched the forum for maintenance stands, but didn't really come up with anything conclusive. I'm going to swap out my front end for a CBR 954 unit here in about a month or so. what kind of stand should I get for this? Obviously I can't use a front end stand, as the whole deal will be removed. There is no way that I can hang my bike from the ceiling, just not feasible. I heard using a car/floor jack can be used, any tips on this. I'd hate for a tip over to happen while I'm working on it. Thanks!!!!!

 

Do it the ghetto way. Put the bike up on the center stand and have someone sit on the passenger seat. When the rear tire hits the ground, shove a block of wood under the front header. Works like a champ & dirt cheap as well.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Will this give me enough room to be able to remove the entire assembly? I'm not even sure how high off the ground I need to get the front, but by looking at it, it seems like maybe a foot or so. I'll give it a shot. Thanks!!!

 

I know it will get the front off the ground high enough to change the front tire. Now that I think about it, you probably will not be able to get the forks out this way. If you take the trees out with the forks attached it might work. I've never pulled the front off any bike ever so I have no clue what's entailed.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

A write-up (with pics) of this mod would be great as I am contemplating the same swap.

 

:hat: I use a Craftsman stand/jack. They're around $100, less on sale and every biker should have one. You lift from the center so you can remove front end or rear end. Straps come with it, but I'd buy 2 good tye-down straps as well.

I'm working on the VTR, HD, and VT 750 with it tomorrow. I'd have to pay shop dollars if I didn't have it, so it's well paid for itself.

 

Another vote for a block of wood. Well placed sticks do wonders. I had my forks rebuilt recently and had the front end up on a 2X2 for a couple weeks. I had that under the steering stem/lower tripple clamp, but could have easily supported it with a stick under the front header or oil pan too.
If it's nothing you're going to do too often, you can't do it cheaper than with a stick of pine.

 

This is the way I like doing it...Two jack stands, pull your lower and slide a piece of pipe through to rest on both jack stands. If you have a hot rod freind a cherry picker works great also, remove the tank and sling the frame. locate new head set bearings and try to buy or use someones bleeder tool for the brakes...Speed Safe

 

Thanks for all the tips. i have a Sears version of the Mity Vac brake bleeder already. I'm just waiting to get the rest of my parts in, such as the SS Braided lines, and speedbleeders, as well as brake pads, and the steering stem bearings. I'm going to order the Cycle Cat clip-ons for the 954. I almost went with the Gilles set, but a friend of mine here has the cycle cats on his ducati, and they look really nice, and feel solid. I plan on taking plenty of pics during the process. Ideally I'll start around the middle to end of Feb, as that's when I'll have some time off to complete this, and all my parts will be in by then as well. After I complete the front end swap, the exhaust will be next. I really want an aftermarket cannister, to let her sing the way she was meant to!!!

 

I went and got a motorcycle jack from Harbor freigh for under $100. It works absolutely great for getting one or both wheels off the ground.

 

ditto for what VMan38 said

 

The aluminum version of the Craftsman mc lift is on sale this weekend for like $150. Like $25 bucks off, but I don't ahve the flier in fron tof me. Or the regular steel version, while not on sale this weekend, or at least isn't in the flier, often is on sale for like $99.

What should also work for what you are doing is a PitBull (or other make) front stand. Not the ones that use the bottom of the fork legs, but the ones with the pin that goes in the center hole of the triple clamp from underneath, it then pivots up. On the stand the whole thing would likely take up less room in your garage space if that is important to you.

How stable is the block of wood idea from side to side forces?

 

Thanks for the additional tips!!!!! Until I can order a stand through Sears, I'm going to put some wood under it, and support the planks with cinder blocks. After I jack it using the header collector as the jacking point that is. Thanks again!!! I will probably order a real maintenance stand within the next 2 months, i want to order all my parts for my winter mods first, as they're more $$$.