No paddock stands at testing stations

[Redstar]

I really makes my blood boil that testing stations expect me to lift my RF900 Bulk off it wheels to check the wheel bearings :angry2:
It was OK when I had the ZXR400 as I could carry it if I had too..OK :killingme but try lifting off the 900 :sick: so last time I thought I'll go to Action wreckers in BPR they would have the right kit? well I never got to find out cause I went to Action Mechanical on the wrong side of the road. never mind cause they do all the warrents for Holeshots so they professed. Did the nice man have a stand nope :angry2: Still I managed to get her up just enough for a cursory check of the Bearings.
I've been on ACC since for a crook back ( still at work) probably aggravated my back with an incident shortly after in the Bedroom but you dont need to know about that :shifty:
anyway you would think that all MC testers should have a stand on hand! its not like you can take one along. sure you can pay $40 plus for the shop to do it. Perhaps we should tell OSH? what other test puts the client at risk of injury? and were the bearings really checked nope. Nice people at Action Mech I hasten to add.

[FROSTY]

hmm My argument is --theyre paid to do it so why should I strain my back
let them suss it out.

[Zed]

I really makes my blood boil that testing stations expect me to lift my RF900 Bulk off it wheels to check the wheel bearings :angry2:You could always ditch the Suzooki and buy a Honda with a centre stand! :ride:

Seriously though, is this a new procedure with bike WOF's cos I've never ever had to lift the rear of my bikes when getting tested?

[woody68]

My Duc has no centre stand but most jap bikes do don't they so why can't they use that or have you taken it off.

[Redstar]

hmm My argument is --theyre paid to do it so why should I strain my back
let them suss it out.true but I was on lunch and they ony had one tester and it was not til the bearing test I found out they had no stand. mind you its I bit daft that my bike has no main stand. Have you seen those stand kits where you drop side stand and assemble this contraption on the oposite swing arm and hey presto shes suspended? they had them at motomail but not sure how effective they are?

[Redstar]

You could always ditch the Suzooki and buy a Honda with a centre stand! :ride:

Seriously though, is this a new procedure with bike WOF's cos I've never ever had to lift the rear of my bikes when getting tested?

I'll swap your Honda for a center stand. sounds like a fair swap :lol:

[crashe]

I go to the same testing station and they have a couple of blokes that can check my bike for the WOF... I usually lift the rear wheel up... with a bit of a struggle...lol
but one time the dude got a stand out... that they were supposed to use.... a new type of stand... well he couldnt do it on my bike so back to me lifting it... the reason was he didnt know how to use it...lol.

The front wheel is dead easy.. the rear is well awkward for me, but I do lift it... they get a few seconds to check the rear wheel....lol

I dont have a centre stand either.

[Zed]

I'll swap your Honda for a center stand. sounds like a fair swap :lol:Haha, actually I have a spare centre stand you can have if you like, I removed it from my '00 Honda CBR600 last year and never had the chance to refit it!

Btw, my worthless Honda will eat your Zooki for breakfast...bit of good ole Jappa rivalry :msn-wink:

[Redstar]

Haha, actually I have a spare centre stand you can have if you like, I removed it from my '00 Honda CBR600 last year and never had the chance to refit it!

Btw, my worthless Honda will eat your Zooki for breakfast...bit of good ole Jappa rivalry :msn-wink: cheers Zedo thats a fine offer but Im not sure the RF has any mounts and it would be a major to fit but thanks anyway. :2thumbsup

[James Deuce]

My Duc has no centre stand but most jap bikes do don't they so why can't they use that or have you taken it off.

Nope - it's a struggle to find a Japanese bike with a centrestand these days. For a lot of them it's an "option" that most people don't bother buying, or they get removed fairly early on in the piece.

[Biff]

My Bird 'had' a centre stand.
:weep:

(just as well as the bugger weighed 224 Kilos!)

[gav]

But you can jack rear end up with a trolley jack, can't you?

[Zed]

My Bird 'had' a centre stand.
:weep:

(just as well as the bugger weighed 224 Kilos!)Yes rather weighty beasts they are, but quite easy to get it up on the centre stand...using the correct methodology of course! :blink:

Btw, if/when I take mine to the track for a burst I will be removing the c/stand for sure.

[gav]

the centre stand will be the least of your worries, mate!

[Redstar]

But you can jack rear end up with a trolley jack, can't you?some testing stations use blocks and trolly jacks on either side but its all a bit messy they have all the right kit for cars and trucks all we are talking about is 300$ for a uni stand. its important to raise both wheels rotate and flex the wheels. they should check the head stock to. the most comrehensive test I ever had was from a Iraqie chap who really new bikes he was so detailed like he read it in a book? he even measured the resistance of the clutch cable with a multi meter.

[Blakamin]

Last WoF I had, they put all the weight on the side stand.... wont be going there with the Duc.... (dont want a busted engine case)

[Zed]

Last WoF I had, they put all the weight on the side stand...Been there done that...not really what the "side" stand is designed for. If a bike shop/testing station was to do that I'd say it would be most unprofessional! :pinch:

[crashe]

thats what I have to do with my bike...
I have the side stand down and pull the bike over and lift it up for them to check the rear wheel... its the lifting of it that they only get a couple of secs to check it...
They dont have the right equipment or know how to use it.... for my bike...
it is times like having a WOF done that I wish my bike had a centre stand.

[Skyryder]

Seems to be a problem at other testing stations. When I first took the drake for its first warrent I was asked if the bike had a centre stand. My bike has a centre stand stand so no problem. The Jackels and some other Guzzi's only have a side stand. But I asked "What if it did not?" Was told that I would have to lift the rear so they could check the bearings. Just not bloody good enough. Just another example of the indifference that we are too often subjected too. Next time this happens make a lot of media noise.

Skyryder

[Wolf]

One of the things that seriously annoyed me about the LS400 (aside from the fact you had to take the petrol tank off just to access the spark plug and the fact it was under powered and...) was the lack of centre stand. It was a hassle every time I had to adjust the chain or oil it - I used to lift up the back end and swing the bike across to rest the sump on an old car battery (and I'm not the strongest bloke in the world so it was a bit of a mission.)

I'm right behind the idea of not using the centre stand for general parking in the street, but FFS I would like to be given the option of using one for when I have to lift the wheels - changing tyres, oiling/adjusting the chain, checking wheel bearings etc.

It surprises me to hear they're not putting centre stands on a lot of bikes now. I thought the "Savage"'s lack was because it was imitating a Harley - and Harleys don't have centre stands as the tyres never need changing (PT)

I would not buy another bike that does not have a centre stand.

[trev]

, but FFS I would like to be given the option of using one for when I have to lift the wheels - changing tyres, oiling/adjusting the chain, checking wheel bearings etc.

I bought a mobile rear stand from Motomail for about $100. Sit the arms under the swing arms & off you go.
If you want one for less get a builder mate to buy you a length (6m ) of D16 or D20 reinforcing rod. ( approx $20 - will make 2 stands ) & if he slips his steel bending company ( we use Stevens Steel ) another $20 they'll bend it for you.
If the builder has his own hydraulic bender he can do it himself.
The only thing you are missing are wheels. 10 mins. welding & 2 cheap castors will fix that :2thumbsup

[Grumpy]

Nevr been to keen on taking my bikes to a testing station. Heard a story of a guy having his bike failed because it had a pack frame mounted. Could be dangerous in an accident.. :blink:

I know Colemans do warrants and they have stands too

[StoneChucker]

I've never had my new bike warranted (still in the first year), but I took my old CBR250 to VTNZ a couple of times. The wankers there told me to jam my foot in behind the side stand, and pull back resting the weight of the fucking bike on the side stand. No fucking doubt that if it snapped of VTNZ would say oops, now piss off, not our problem. I would NEVER use any place other than Sawyers for MY WOF's. Bike shops do the WOF for you, and I presume they use appropriate methods.

Hell, I wish someone would use VTNZ with a brand spanking new bike, make THEM do the WOF, have the side-stand break, bike fall over and sue the f*ing shit out of the ignorant pricks.

(breathe in, breathe out :whistle: )
Even if the stand didn't break at VTNZ, what happens if it was just weakened and breaks off while parked outside the Fish, or wherever... :confused:
The only benefit of using VTNZ is that it's pretty quick. You get ushered to the front of the queue. Also, they don't fix/repair anything so you're most likely to get an honest WOF from them. If only they got their act together, and purchased the correct equipment for the vehicles they are servicing. Would they expect cars to drive up with two wheels(on the same side) on beer crates? Pathetic :whocares:

[Aitch]

when a 5ft nothing 6okg lass rides a big bike in? how the hell will she be able to pick it up?

[crashe]

struggle with it.... and they only lift it for a couple of seconds....
I guess maybe the males would be gentlemen and offer to help....

[Aitch]

I'd be very tempted to tell the wof man to pick it up himself...after all they don't ask you to pick your car up! course then he'd fail me for having a dirty indicator lens or for having a red bike!

[Hitcher]

The centre stand on an ST1300 doesn't get in the way of anything. A beautifully integrated piece of finery it is. Takes a bit of a grunt to get the ST up on it though...

[TwoSeven]

I go to the lichfield st one (chch). Just leave the bike/car out front and go make myself a coffee. Never have any problems with it.

But I would expect testing stations to aquire a hydrolic stand for bikes these days. Side stands are really not meant for holding 1/4 ton of bike up.

[gav]

So how do all you guys without centre stands oil ya chains etc? Do you have a paddock stand at home?

[NinjaBoy]

So how do all you guys without centre stands oil ya chains etc? Do you have a paddock stand at home?

Using a spray lube, spray some on, move bike forward (or backward) until the whole chain is done. Real pain but it did the job. But the CBR has a centre stand and its great !!!

[StoneChucker]

So how do all you guys without centre stands oil ya chains etc? Do you have a paddock stand at home?
I have two, or a set at least (front and rear). I use it everytime I wash the bike, which includes cleaning and re-waxing the chain. I also store the bike on the stands everytime it's parked in the gargre - my little attempt at earthquake proofing.

With the CBR250 I had, I used NinjaBoy's method. Spray, move forward, repeat. Very time consuming!

[James Deuce]

So how do all you guys without centre stands oil ya chains etc? Do you have a paddock stand at home?

I used to just get the mother-in-law to hold the rear of the TRX a couple of feet in the air. I have a centrestand on the Banana, errr GSX. It's positively dreamy. 30 secs to lube the chain.

[Hitcher]

I used to just get the mother-in-law to hold the rear of the TRX a couple of feet in the air.
Don't tell me she's descended from a long line of Jacks...