[deadheadawakened]

I've come to the unfortunate conclusion that I need to spend money I don't have to buy a center stand for the bike, but figured I'd ask you folks for advice and/or see if you agree with my thoughts, so here goes......

Okay, so I need to change my front tire. Also, I will be doing this without any physical assistance from anyone. I know how to remove the wheel, how to remove the tire, how to install new tire, and how to re-install the wheel... But I only have a gimpy side-stand to do this! No fun. I tried looking up how to do this online, both here and a ton of other forums/sites, but found nothing that helps me. I have a 3.5ton floor-jack, but can't figure out how to safely/securely raise the bike to set it onto wooden/homemade stands without risk of toppling over or smashing the exhaust pipe. I have a bunch of scrap 2x4's and some crappy plywood laying around to fabricate stands, but still can't figure out how raise the bike into position on top of the stands without a center stand.

A side note - I noticed that the side-stand I currently have is not exactly tight... I've read of others experiencing this as well on here, so I'm not too worried about it, but it still doesn't feel like a good thing to me.

So my question...
(if you agree)Is there anyone out that that knows where to get a center stand for the wee under $160, or
(if you have other thoughts)Is there a better/easier/cheaper option hiding out there anywhere????

Thanks

 

[Yak]

If you just want it for home maintenance look at race stands (also known as paddock stands). They can be had quite inexpensively.

 

[RichardD]

The swmotech center stand has more turning clearance thhttp://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/310/203/an the Suzuki one. ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE PARTS: SW-MOTECH Centerstand - Suzuki DL650 V-Strom 04-up

 

[RichardD]

Aio

The Ai1 - All in One Motorcycle Stand Kit

 

[deadheadawakened]

The swmotech center stand has more turning clearance than the Suzuki one. ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE PARTS: SW-MOTECH Centerstand - Suzuki DL650 V-Strom 04-up

Nice, definitely a great thing to have in my opinion!

------------------------

If you just want it for home maintenance look at race stands (also known as paddock stands). They can be had quite inexpensively.

Checked em out - thank you for the idea! I watched some youtubes on the PitBull stands. They're pretty cool, but spendy. Definitely found the less expensive ones as well.
------------------------

The Ai1 - All in One Motorcycle Stand Kit

Looks like a more break-down-able version of the race stands that Yak had mentioned too.

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Well, after reading up on it and looking at a few things.... I've decided to just build my own, haha! Actually, my wife ended up giving me the final idea. It's too late to do it right now, and I have exams to study for this week, so it'll take me a few days to get to it. It's gonna be awesome though - all thanks to both of your help(Yak & RichardD) and a random idea from my wife that tied this all together in my brain!

Again, thank you for the amazing insight and have a wonderful week!

I'll get back to ya later this week to update and post pictures for you.

 

[Jeff Z]

I'll get back to ya later this week to update and post pictures for you.

Don't forget. I'd like to see it! :thumbup:

 

[kick]

In a pinch you can use rope to hold the bike vertical by tying off each side to something solid so the bike can't tip left or right. Then use a small scissor jack Like you'd find in your car to raise the front of the bike.

 

[BillZ]

I have tied by Wee off to the rafters of the garage, from the handle bars, to steady it while I installed my skid pan. That worked well but I am not sure if I would want to "lift" my bike from the handle bars while removing the front wheel for changing tires etc.

I have ordered a center stand from Vstroma and am waiting for it to be delivered. The lead time is very long but the price is below you specified price point and the quality looks good. This stand incorporates two springs, one on each side of the stand, for secure "up" position, and looks pretty heavy duty. I haven't received it yet, so I'll have to let you know, once it arrives, how well it works.

I have fabricated a block of wood that I have been using, while at home, from a 6X6 plus a couple of sections of 2X4 for added height. I can tip my Wee over onto the front tire and side stand to allow me to slip my wood thing under the skid pan and if I position it correctly, I can manage to lift the rear or the front wheel for servicing. This method isn't exactly steady, but it works for me because I am extremely careful while on my wood block. (Can't wait for my new center stand so I can quit doing this.)

Hope you're able to work something out... :beatnik:

 

[Vscout]

Harbor Freight

Harbor Freight Tools

Motorcycle Swingarm Rear Stand
$37

Rafters/support beam work, just make sure your properly secured + safety.


P.S. - Make sure you can still close the garage door if your not finished.

 

[enumclaw]

Center stand for under $160

Center Stand for Your V-Strom from Murphs'

I don't think the price is going to last forever though, so you should jump on it.

 

[JRWalker]

i use a come-a-long hand winch. co$t $20.. works ok for me.

 

[Improperly Torqued]

This works for either front or rear. Jack goes under the engine case (with a wood block to protect it; make sure it clears the oil plug). Full access to everything with no fuss.

http://www.flyingjoke.org/motorcycles/dl650/misc/tiedown.jpg

Credit for the design goes to Don Eilenberger (BMW "big list").

 

[BillZ]

This works for either front or rear. Jack goes under the engine case (with a wood block to protect it; make sure it clears the oil plug). Full access to everything with no fuss.

http://www.flyingjoke.org/motorcycles/dl650/misc/tiedown.jpg

Credit for the design goes to Don Eilenberg (BMW "big list").

Now THAT is pretty dang slick right there now! Good work on that idea. I'm gettin me one o those! :beatnik:

 

[mhoffm]

Pitt Bull w/spools

I put frame front/rear sliders on my DL650, and use a Pitt Bull rear stand for most maintainace that way, including chain work and rear tire repl.

I use my floor jack under the engine casing to raise the front wheel while the bike is on the side stand. The floor jack has the weight, but I also use two straps on each handle bar to the ceiling for a back up and to keep it steady. So far, so good.

A rear stand is just so handy for 500 mile chain lube, gotta have one. Got my spools from SV Racing.

 

[deadheadawakened]

Wow, so many thanks are in order here....

Well, for those that recommended the rafters: That would have been my first thought as well, but it's a finished garage:thumbdown:

For all the center stand referrals: I REALLY appreciate the price-finding abilities of you guys, but have decided that free is my favorite!:yesnod:

For those recommending the floor/scissor jack: ...How? would you mind posting pictures if you have any? No need to go out of your way to do so, just if you have a picture layin' around somewhere, that would be awesome!

And dtalk: that's really cool... but it doesn't help me change the tire

So, I'm going in to home depot on friday to grab some lumber for a few other projects I'm working on and I'm just going to use the scrap wood from that to build this thing. It's gonna be stupid-cheap and sturdy as hell. I'll get pictures to you all later. T'will be awesomazing.

 

[BillZ]

And dtalk: that's really cool... but it doesn't help me change the tire

This will help you change the tire if you use it interchangeably on each end of the bike; lift the rear while stabilizing the front of the bike in the 4X4 block frame that is strapped to the front end of the bike. Then, switch it around to the rear tire to stabilize the rear end while lifting the front end.

The straps from the bike to the wood frame lock the bike in a safe and upright position while using the mock center stand/floor jack/block of wood as a fulcrum point to lift the opposite end of the bike. If you have a skid plate, no problem, but if you don't, you'll need to be more careful when positioning scrap lumber under your bike to lift the opposite end. However, this glorified "T" configuration is perfect for holding the bike in place while completing maintenance.

Granted, it's a little more than something simple, but it's relatively free if you have a few straps lying around and some scrap lumber to work with. I would normally have a couple of major league screw eyes for tie down points, but you can pick those up pretty inexpensively. Wait, I may have those too....hah! :beatnik:

 

[deadheadawakened]

And dtalk: that's really cool... but it doesn't help me change the tire

This will help you change the tire.......

Haha, duh :headbang: Thanks.... Sorry dtalk, thank you too!

 

[garandman]

Is there a local racer's forum? In New England NESR (New England Street Riders) is the place for racers and track day fiends. Tons of folks have pit stands and might be willing to loan you one.

I have the Woodcraft, which is adjustable. The SV650 pin is .5mm smaller than the V-Strom for some reason, you just have to lengthen the sides. Rock solid.

 

[Jeff Z]

This works for either front or rear. Jack goes under the engine case (with a wood block to protect it; make sure it clears the oil plug). Full access to everything with no fuss.

http://www.flyingjoke.org/motorcycles/dl650/misc/tiedown.jpg

Credit for the design goes to Don Eilenberger (BMW "big list").

Looks like his front tire was put on backward.

 

[ghostrider66]

If you have a good sturdy ladder, this might work???