Topic: Front head stock stands anyone?

[DaveBarbier]

Hey everyone,

I installed my new stainless exhaust and was forced to remove my center stand. I went out to cycle gear and got one of their rear paddock stands. It works great and is super easy to use. After that I decided to get a front stand. The kind that hooks into the hole in the bottom triple. Venom had good reviews and was cheaper than the cycle gear one by $30 so I ordered that online. I just got it and when lifting the bike the front wheel doesn't lift all the way off the ground.

Anyone else using front stands? Which brands do you use? Anyone else using the Venom front stand and find that it works fine?

I could use my lathe to turn a new pin that's longer with a shoulder to give more height. Any other ideas? Get larger diameter wheels for the stand?

[Steve_K]

I know it may seem weird, but mine has different holes to adjust height.  I do not recall the brand.  I use mine with the center stand on a 1X4, so the rear wheel is not on the floor when I use the front stand.  Works ok with with a rear stand, too.

Another idea,  get some washers that fit over the pin to raise it more.  Some of the pins have plenty of length.
Steve

[DaveBarbier]

If you're going to spin anything in your lathe, turn a new front axle that's hollow and internally threaded on the ends to use spools and a PitBull.

That ought to keep you busy for a weekend 

Not helping Cal! Besides, I want a stand that I can remove the forks with. I normally use ratchet straps hooked to the rafters.

[DaveBarbier]

I know it may seem weird, but mine has different holes to adjust height.  I do not recall the brand.  I use mine with the center stand on a 1X4, so the rear wheel is not on the floor when I use the front stand.  Works ok with with a rear stand, too.

Another idea,  get some washers that fit over the pin to raise it more.  Some of the pins have plenty of length.
Steve

Yeah, that seems like a real universal stand. The Venom is just one size fits all with an assortment of pins to fit various bikes.

The existing pin is using is too short for the amount of washers I'd have to use

Thanks for the help!

[GV1390]

I use the regular stand that rests under the caliper bracket holders:



I used the head pin under the triple style on my SV650 at the track but wasn't anything spectacular in my opinion. Also, how often are you taking the forks off ya know?

Ever think about one of these stands? They look funky:

[DaveBarbier]

Yeah true, I see what you guys are saying.

I don't plan on removing the forks often, but when I do it's a pain in the ass. I don't need to remove the forks with the wheel attached so I don't need to go crazy high.

I'm not going to buy another stand so I'll just modify this one. I need about 1" more to be able to remove the wheel and I found some scrap tubing that will fit inside the tubing of the stand. I can cut it apart and weld in an extension.

[bwaller]

The steering stem ID is very large so make a new pin of larger diameter as well as longer too Dave. Stands used with these bikes are all the same and need a different pin. Make sure you use the rear stand first, a front stand offers no stability.

[Stev-o]

I normally use ratchet straps hooked to the rafters.

So do I, I like it as there is no stand in the way. Why dont you like it?

[DaveBarbier]

The steering stem ID is very large so make a new pin of larger diameter as well as longer too Dave. Stands used with these bikes are all the same and need a different pin. Make sure you use the rear stand first, a front stand offers no stability.

Yup, the stand I got had pins for the CBR600rr which also has a large hole apparently. The 23mm pin fits perfectly.

I don't have any round bar to make a pin that size so I'm just going to cut up the stand and extend it with some tubing I have. Being new to the stand world, I really like them, and it feels like it gives my bike a home, haha.

[DaveBarbier]

I normally use ratchet straps hooked to the rafters.

So do I, I like it as there is no stand in the way. Why dont you like it?

Having no stand in the way is nice and I'll still do that if I need, but I have to move the bike between the rafters and then move the lumber that's in the loft out of the way and I keep my straps in my truck...it's just a hassle in my eyes. The stands are quick and won't make the bike swing around like hanging it would.

Besides, with the new 674 in the frame I wanted to treat my bike to some toys

[Stev-o]

I normally use ratchet straps hooked to the rafters.

So do I, I like it as there is no stand in the way. Why dont you like it?

Having no stand in the way is nice and I'll still do that if I need, but I have to move the bike between the rafters and then move the lumber that's in the loft out of the way and I keep my straps in my truck...it's just a hassle in my eyes. The stands are quick and won't make the bike swing around like hanging it would.

I bolted a 3x3" piece of angle iron to the joists in the ceiling. Another nice feature this lends is I can tie up the handle bars w/o disconnecting everything if I am just pulling the front end off for quick service.
I have thought of getting stands too, I see em on CL all the time cheap...