bike lift question

[Haste]

I was looking at spool stands and bike jacks/lifts and wondering how stable they might be for working on. Is there a tie down ability or does the bike just litterally teeter on the bike life by the engine?

[milesmiles]

are you talking about front/rear stands? You can do whatever you want on them. I sit on the bike and hang off while I make varrooom varrooooom noises. Helps me practice body position. And don't go cheap on these! Pitbull first and then T-Rex

[fixxervi6]

Are you talking about the jack looking thing or stands that go under the front and rear swingarm/forks?

I have both, for the sport bikes I use the stands, good stands and it's super stable as miles has said.

For the lift, I don't use that on the sport bike, I guess I would if I was dropping a motor or something.

[Rhino]

Yeah, you *can* push a bike off a rear stand, but it's very difficult. I use a rear stand with spools and a triple tree stand when working on my bike and I trust them 100% to keep the bike from falling over.

[Haste]

Ah good info, looks like ill be going with the spool stands then. The bike jack looked way too risky to level a sportbike on. Back when i had my rebel i really just didnt give a shit and used a Car jack with a plywood piece under it to balance it. One day that plan went south and the bike fell over... thankfully my dad had just HAPPEN to have layed out all these pillows he was throwing away next to the bike. Not a scratch on the bike, but it was at that point i decided i needed to start looking for a non-redneck way of working on my bike.

EDIT: little confused on how changing out wheels works on the spool stands works though. How do i remove the wheel if im spooled by the axle?

[WillK675]

The spools should attache to the swingarm.

[DarcShadow]

For the rear the spools attach to the swingarm, or you can go cheaper and get a universal stand that doesn't use sprockets, just supports the bike via a bracket and the swing arm. Most would suggest you spend the little extra and go thw spools option. For the front, you can get a stem stand that supports the bike via the triple tree (I think) You'll need the correct adapter for your bike. Not usually a big deal. Or you can get a fork stand which supports the front from the bottom of the forks. Not as stable as the stem stand but still pretty good and you can take the front wheel off with either option.

[Rhino]

If you buy Pit Bull like you should, you don't even get a choice--I don't think they sell the single kind anymore. They're all dual--spools and swingarm lift. If you don't have holes in your swingarm to screw in spools, you have to use the rubberized swingarm lift to get your back wheel off.

[milesmiles]

I think T-Rex stands come with free spools for your bike if you order front and back. Just a little FYI for ya

[Haste]

I think T-Rex stands come with free spools for your bike if you order front and back. Just a little FYI for ya

Looks like Trex has a future customer then. :P

[milesmiles]

Yeah i've went with them because they are in Dallas and they make good stuff. A lot of people here use their frame sliders. Great customer service to boot!

[Striple]

There are lots of options, but nothing beats Pit Bull stands. They're a bit more expensive, but you get what you paid for.

[toy752]

I have a set of woodcraft stands and they work great!!!

[nitzer]

I've actually been looking at the options too. I was going to get a set of Pitbull stands, but I also thought it would be nice to be able to install a hoist in my garage in case I needed to do any really serious work to the bike.

[Rhino]

I've actually been looking at the options too. I was going to get a set of Pitbull stands, but I also thought it would be nice to be able to install a hoist in my garage in case I needed to do any really serious work to the bike.

I can't think of anything where a hoist is absolutely necessary. Maybe for a complete tear-down on a bike where the engine is a stressed member?

You can get as far as removing your front and rear suspension with a triple tree lift and a couple jack stands to go under the rider footpeg mounts. Beyond that, you're really talking about pulling an engine in which case you're going to have to get damned creative anyway. A hoist may not help you there, it depends on your frame and where you might have attachment points.

[WillK675]

Beyond that, you're really talking about pulling an engine in which case you're going to have to get damned creative anyway.

You ever seen Grinner hoist his bike? Talk about damned creative.

[DemonDuck]

I have the T-Rex and they work great even with my big heavy arse bike. The pitbull might be a little more solid but then I have had mine for almost 4 years lifting my bike alot and they are still hanging in there.

[DarcShadow]

Before committing to a spools option, double check that your bike supports spools. Most do, but I know the Daytona 650 didn't.

[milesmiles]

Before committing to a spools option, double check that your bike supports spools. Most do, but I know the Daytona 650 didn't.

really?!?! damn triumph! the 675 does

[Haste]

Zx6r 2000, i would assume spools would be fine but ive been suprised before. Gah now ill have to go check. :p

[milesmiles]

yeah make sure you get the correct size spools, yamaha & triumphs use 6mm others use 8mm & 10mm. WHen i bought the T-Rex stands they asked what bike i had and i got the correct ones

[Rhino]

Before committing to a spools option, double check that your bike supports spools. Most do, but I know the Daytona 650 didn't.

really?!?! damn triumph! the 675 does

My Speed Four doesn't either. You can get spools that go through the rear axle which are useful for lubing the chain but worthless for pulling the tire or adjusting the chain.

[Dragonfly]

Zx6r 2000, i would assume spools would be fine but ive been suprised before. Gah now ill have to go check. :p

Yours should be 10mm