Putting bike on stands for the winter (need opinions)

[number9]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
This is true. I have a cheapo, $69, rear stand with vinyl coated pads that's worked well for years for this purpose. Never owned a front stand, but then I have a winch hanging from my garage ceiling for whenever I need to lift something, like a bike. It's proven far more useful than a front stand for my needs

I am a huge cheapskate, and the winch sounds like an excellent idea. What kind are you using -- just a fabric-style ratcheting winch, or an engine winch with chains or somethin'?

I have a rear stand already, but something for the front would be neat.

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by number9
I am a huge cheapskate, and the winch sounds like an excellent idea. What kind are you using -- just a fabric-style ratcheting winch, or an engine winch with chains or somethin'?

I have a rear stand already, but something for the front would be neat.

It's a standard 2 ton "come-along" cable winch, made in China. I must have 10 of them kicking around, most of them worn out from moving rocks on my property. They should be standard issue whenever a guy buys property in NH.

I've used it to change literally dozens of front tires, pull a boat engine, lower a Kawasaki Concours bike onto an engine (much easier than trying to lift the engine into the bike frame) and various other things. Quite handy. Used it last weekend to adjust the fork height in the trple tree on my Bandit 400.

My ceiling is high enough that I can just leave the thing hanging all the time without needing to worry about banging my head on it. It hangs from a large screw eye that's screwed into an oversize "silent floor" I-beam that spans 24 feet.

I hang a nylon strap with two vinyl covered hook from it to lift bikes, typically right from the triple tree.

[The Snowman]

Well, I got the jack stands in yesterday for the front of the bike.

(here's where I look like a total idiot)
I was actually under the assumption that they jacked up like a car jack, but they don't. So here's my dilemna...

How do you raise the front of the bike to get the stands under there?

I figured I'd get the rear on its stand then somehow jack the front end up and put the stands under there.

Anyone who's done this before want to chime in?

[stoinkythepig]

Get a friend to help lift it onto the stands.

[number9]

Originally posted by 97BladeRider
Well, I got the jack stands in yesterday for the front of the bike.

(here's where I look like a total idiot)
I was actually under the assumption that they jacked up like a car jack, but they don't. So here's my dilemna...

How do you raise the front of the bike to get the stands under there?

I figured I'd get the rear on its stand then somehow jack the front end up and put the stands under there.

Anyone who's done this before want to chime in?

Just out of interest, are you putting the jackstands directly under the forklegs to support the bike? If so, what (if anything) are you putting between the stand and the leg -- a block of wood or anything?

[FastJohnny]

Originally posted by 97BladeRider

How do you raise the front of the bike to get the stands under there?

Use your arms. Grab the bike, and then and only then lift. This can be a bit complitacted so figure out your plan of attack before attempting it.

[The Snowman]

Most likely some sort of cushioning like rubber. I wouldn't dream of putting the fork legs directly on the jack stands.

[benVFR]

You're going to way too much effort for something that isn't going to do you any good.

Just winterize the thing and leave it at that. Nothing is going to happen to your tires. Besides at the rate we're going you'll be able to ride till the middle of december and have the bike back on the road in late february if you're not scared of a little cold weather.

I mean geez it's still been shorts & t-shirts weather in the last week!

I'd get a car jack and put it under the engine before I'd mess with trying to lift the forks onto jack stands.. sounds more like a way to drop the bike and break plastic then to save your tires.

[The Snowman]

Well, I got the rear stand a couple of days ago and I can honestly say that I'm glad I went with the Pit Bull stand. Really great quality and easy to get the bike up by myself.

Here's a couple of photos: