Rear paddock stand question

Motorcycling
1

How easy is it for one person to attach a rear paddock stand?

I’ve seen one tip which is to put a block of wood under the side stand so it straightens the bike enough to make it easier to jack up but I still have a nightmare vision of it going over with no-one else there to help catch it.

What do others do?

Thanks.

2

I use a piece of wood and it is fine. Keep the paddock stand close and wrap an arm over the back of the bike.

Easier when you have some sort of rack/pillion bar on the back, but not hard without.

3

Both easy and compulsory!

Like so many thinks bike related, don’t make any sudden moves with it - nice and steady and it’ll be fine.

The wood trick is fine, especially on bikes with a big lean on their stands (Lou’s old 400rr was like that) but best to be able to do it without.

Once you are on firm level ground:

  1. make sure steering is straight (bike may move forward as you raise it)
  2. get stand under bike and check the bike should come to rest on stand pads without fouling brakes/swing arm lumps etc
  3. apply pressure to stand handle while gently pushing bike upright with other hand - grab rails on tail are helpful but as Kaos says wrapping your arm over tail could work too.(Unless you heave clumsily at it you aren’t likely to throw the bike onto it’s side, I mean c’mon!)
  4. The leverage from the stand will do most of the raising of the bike to vertical, you pushing just eases it.
  5. As it comes vertical it should rest on or over the stand’s other cup, so make sure it’s going to rest in the right place and properly on the cup/pad - you don’t want it hanging on the edge.
  6. If happy with location of stand cups/pads then leave the bike alone and transfer all your attention to the stand, keep pressing down and the bike should lift up (and possibly forward slightly) on both cups.
  7. Hey presto.

It is a very nervy thing to do, we’ve all been there and all been nervous and only a liar will say otherwise. But unless you are a completely hamfisted ape you should be ok provided you go slow and remember that the bike has to rest on both cups//pads - if it doesn’t look like it’s going to then return the bike to the sidestand, readjust and try again. With practice you should be able to locate the stand with ease and at the first attempt.

If you have race bobbins and the appropriate stand, then it’s a simpler procedure - hold bike near upright, slot on the stand and then press down on the stand. Done.

Now I think about it perhaps we should have a video of paddock stand usage - I’ve enough bikes/options and stands to do so. Hmmm another project to add to the list.

Oh, and if you are really scared about dropping the bike over the other side why not create a crash pad - suitcases full of clothes, sofa cushions, mattresses, small siblings or kids etc are all there to be used. Or a mate of course. But don’t rely on them!

4

Taking it off the stand is easier but also risky for the first time.

  1. make sure sidestand is down and locked (easy forgotten ahem)
  2. make sure steering straight
  3. place hand/arm on bike’s rear while raising paddock handle off ground
  4. as wheel comes onto the ground your job is to just guide the bike over to the sidestand side otherwise it’ll pick a side to lean …
  5. you can control the ‘fall’ onto the sidestand with the paddock stand but best do some of the bracing with your arm on the bike directly - don’t let it crash down onto the stand - doesn’t do it any good nor look clever.
  6. and you’re done.

Do it again while on a roll, get that practice in.

5

Top advice andrew&7, thanks for taking the time.

My arse is still cracking walnuts at the thought of doing it but providing I can keep the clumsy primate in me at bay, your guide should help keep the shiny side up.

:slight_smile:

Incidentally, I have Kawasaki frame bobbins for my ER-6F and I’m looking at getting the MotoGP Premium Rear Paddock Stand

I don’t need adaptors for this stand and it looks like a pretty robust piece of kit, partly because it’s one piece rather than self-assembly. All the reviews I’ve seen are good.

Thanks again.

6

yeah it bothered me to.

So I bought a front wheel chock, I use the wood outside of the garage, but for simple jobs like lubing the chain, I use the front wheel chock, also use the chock for parking the bike as it reduces the amount of room it takes.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Front-Wheel-Chock-Paddock-Stand-Stay-/280720892255?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item415c44e15f

You can find em cheaper if you look around though.

7

That looks like a useful piece of kit but [stupid question time now] if it raises the front wheel rather than the back one, how does it help you lube the chain?

8

Because the front wheel is stable so you can put on the rear paddock stand without faffing about.

9

Christ, and to think that I could have been a genius if I’d worked harder at school.

10

Got to admit, it’s pretty nerve racking the first few times you use a rear stand, but you sort of get used to it.

As I have longish legs, I get the stand in place as far as possible and then, standing alongside the bike, I hold the bars and the tail rack and tread the stand down with my right foot.

To get it off the stand, I always stick a big wooden wedge in front of the front wheel and then reverse the process getting the bike onto the stand. Except I’m now hooking the stand up with my toe of course.

11

I can’t really add any more then Andrews post.

You’ll be fine. Take your time, slow movements and hey presto. After you do it a couple of times its less nervy.

The stands will make working/cleaning your bike a doddle.

P.S. Cotton reels or Bobbins on the swingarm make it a more secure connection between bike and stand.

12

Another option is to go for an Abba stand,much easier to use than a paddock stand although alittle more expensive.

http://www.abbastands.co.uk/

13

Hey, that looks like the job but it’ll have to wait until next month when I’m a bit more flush.

Thanks for the info.

14

At their prices, I’ll stick with my £15 BMF show job.

Now, where the f*** did I put the hook ends that engage with the rear swinging arm bobbins? Ho hum. One day I will be organised.