Rear wheel stands - Question

**Salival** · 17th September 2008, 21:58

Hi folks,

I did a quick search for a similar topic and found nothing, so here goes:

I recently became the proud owner of an '00 Firestorm. My last bike was a GSX250 which came equipped with a centre stand which I used for basic maintenance. Unfortunately the new beast isn't blessed with one of those, so I need to invest in a rear pit stand/paddock stand/racing stand. You get the picture.

Question is: Are all stands created equal? Are there different fittings for stands that depend on the bike? I have the Road Guide 2008 which has some Oxford stands listed (page 76 if you're reading along), and the stands appear to require an attachment to a bobbin/fork support. These screw into the rear swing arm on some bikes, but my bike doesn't have any holes for these to slot into, so I'm not sure what kind of fittings I need to get the back wheel off the ground.

There are some stands on tardme (example) which have 'square U-bracket' fittings, which may or may not be the right size for my swingarm.

Is it one size fits all?

Any help or advice appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben.

**madmal64** · 17th September 2008, 22:10

I use a set of Oxford paddock stands and use the bobbins. There stands do come with the brackets that sit under the swingarm but the bobbins are easy to fit and the bike is far more secure.
I havent had a look at the trademe ones so I cant comment on them, I just find the oxford range reasonable price and versatile. www.oxprod.com
Im sure that Oxford stands would work fine with the fireblade, but Im happy for you to try mine before you buy if you like.

**Pwalo** · 18th September 2008, 07:38

Another alternative is the Abba superbike stand. I've got one for the SV, and it's brilliant. There is an NZ dealer, who is very helpful.

**nodrog:Me** · 18th September 2008, 07:50

this one will work if you get the "Rubber Cursors"

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-175980695.htm

**Tony.OK** · 18th September 2008, 12:05

Hi Ben, most rear stands with lifting blocks(for under the swingarm) are adjustable for width to suit different bikes.
My mate has the Oxford one and its not the best one out there, its a bit wobbly and lifts too high I think.
The bike lift ones in the previous post are really sturdy in comparison.

**Salival** · 18th September 2008, 17:25

Thanks for your help folks.

That Bike Lift stand looks good. Can anyone explain the difference between the V-cursors and the rubber cursors, so I know which ones to get? Again, my bike has no where to attach the bobbins. And as they mention you need bobbins to use the V-cursors I guess that option is out on a technicality...

...perhaps I've answered my own question, just want to be sure! Cheers.

**nodrog:Me** · 18th September 2008, 17:28

Originally Posted by Salival

Thanks for your help folks.

That Bike Lift stand looks good. Can anyone explain the difference between the V-cursors and the rubber cursors, so I know which ones to get? Again, my bike has no where to attach the bobbins. And as they mention you need bobbins to use the V-cursors I guess that option is out on a technicality...

...perhaps I've answered my own question, just want to be sure! Cheers.

the rubber ones sit under the swingarm, like little square black rubber hands

**Salival** · 18th September 2008, 18:12

That's a rather disturbing mental image...!

Sweet, sold. Thanks again guys.

**banditrider** · 18th September 2008, 20:41

Had the same problem when I got my VTR. Got my stands here: http://www.nzdirtbikes.com/

Work fine with the VTR but did not go wide enough for a mate's Bandit. Cheap too...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...4&d=1219651476

**Guided_monkey** · 19th September 2008, 09:36

I have a stand I got off Frosty. Works well with no probs servicing the rear end.

As a safety I chock the front wheel to ensure the bike doesn't wander forward when being serviced.

Good luck

**boomer** · 19th September 2008, 09:44

my wheel stands are legendary...!!! i'm still learning to do stand ups and gear changes tho!

My advice.. get rid of the honduh and buy a bike that will do proper wheel stands

**vifferman** · 19th September 2008, 09:46

*chortle*
I too had the same problem when I bought my FahrtSturm. There it was in my gargre, and it suddenly dawned on me, that after several years of having bikes with centrestands, I now didn't.

But I'd had bikes without centrestands before (3) - how did I manage?

Good ole koiwoi unjunooity came to the rescue. I fashioned a support from a length of 2x1 wood, and a 4" nail (that's 50x25mm nominal, or 40mmx20mm actual timber, and a 100mm nail, for those non-imperious types). The nail was inseted into the hollow rear axle, the bike tipped over to the left on the sidestand, the prop flopped down, and voila! (a small, misspelled musical implement): the FahrtSturm was now supported with the rear tyre 20mm or so off the grooond, Jimmeh!
Stoatl cost: $0.00 (approximately).
I then added an improvised parking brake, in the form of a customisedly-bent strip of aluminininiumum that clipped over the grip and brake lever.

I later improved the design with a portable/dismantlable aluminium version for j(it's only another ticket, and I've still got the pushbike)random to use on his (then) Zeal.

Mentalness-of-thought-patterns is the mooderfooker of inventiveness.
Or summat...

**BM-GS** · 19th September 2008, 09:55

The stands Oxford stands are pretty stable, though if you have a heavy bike, but arent too heavy yourself it may get tricky. My Z750 nearly beats my 90kg trying to get the bike up & onto the stand.

One of them re-useable zip-ties works well on the front brake to keep the front wheel where from moving, but on a rough floor, the wheels of the stand may not move nicely and it may be easier to wedge the stand wheels in a dent in the floor and let the front wheel move.

A centre-stand should be compulsory on all bikes, I think.

Hope that was helpful...