[harleyjoe43]

I was wondering what you folks use for a stand when working on your TWs. Now bear in mind I'm the only one doing all the work on the bike (no one to hold it steady...pick up one end or the other, etc.). In fact, I can't even pick up either end myself! So I guess I'm looking for some type of foot powered setup but I don't want to break the bank either.

As always thanks in advance.....Joe

 

[sorethumb]

I got one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...500-lb-capacity-atv-motorcycle-lift-2792.html



It works as advertised, however the jack "arms" are spaced a bit far to catch the TW skid plate for my liking. I cut a square piece of 1/2inch plywood to put across the arms. This creates a flat solid surface for the TW to ride.



Here is a picture of mine and the current state of my TW:

 

[sinophilia]

I use a rear stand that I bought from Louis.de and with a bit practice I learned to put the bike on it by myself. It is quite easy to keep it balanced, it's so light.

If I need to work on the fork/front wheel, I put the bike on the rear stand and then slide a wooden box and a few boards under the engine while I ask somebody to lift the front for a second.

 

[amolaver]

i've got a set of jack stands that slide nicely under each side of the swingarm and a cantilever front end chock like this http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-stand-wheel-chock-97841.html mine has an e-track compatible base up front so i can secure it easily in my trailer. a 6"x6" piece of plywood on top of a jack, lifting right under the engine in conjunction with the jack stands in back gets the front wheel up in the air securely.



ahm

 

[TrailWhale]

I was wondering what you folks use for a stand when working on your TWs. Now bear in mind I'm the only one doing all the work on the bike (no one to hold it steady...pick up one end or the other, etc.). In fact, I can't even pick up either end myself! So I guess I'm looking for some type of foot powered setup but I don't want to break the bank either.

As always thanks in advance.....Joe

(The old forum site had much discussion about this topic.) For what it's worth, (and because we're still not back to a recovered economy - I'm the original "recession rack" guy) I had a Craftsman garage jack or floor jack I wasn't using much. My jack's "contact plate" had a large protruding stud at the bottom, which fitted through a hole in the plate below and was fastened by a simple spring clip. I simply removed the clip, lifted off the contact plate, and installed a scrap piece of 2 X 12 with a countersunk 3/8" hex head bolt and nut. (Credit to Babaganoush for the original idea.)



Works great! I go on Medicare this year, but I can easily position the floor jack under the bike so it will raise either end of the bike, without help from anyone. And with the proper size chunk of 2 x 12 lumber under the skid plate, the bike is very stable - the lumber is relatively soft, so it "gives" a little, and the protruding metal bike parts sink into the wood just enough to help hold the bike firmly in place. Unbelievable how easy it is to lube the chain when the back end's off the ground. And really easy to observe the overall chain condition, see whether there are any "tight" sections of chain, etc. Others have devised ways to "tie down" or stabilize the bike while on their jack, but I haven't needed to do so in the more than two years I've used this jack on my T-dub. Really good idea!

- - - - Jim

 

[harleyjoe43]

Thanks to one and all for all the tips! I now have an good idea as to how to tacke this issue.

....Joe

 

[qwerty]

I have a cheap bike lift ($199 + tax on sale) from Pep Boys. It is of the worktable type, not just a jack. Roll the bike up on it, hook a couple tiedown straps on one end or the other, and it lifts the entire bike up high enough to work standing up.

A small scissors jack and a 2x4 block lifts the end that isn't tied down. The scissors jack makes it very easy to get the bike at just the right height to slide the axle through when remounting a wheel. That alone is worth the price of the lift. For anyone who does their own work it is $199 + tax very well spent.