Stupid question, but...

[fritzo]

I've seen in pretty much every picture of a dirtbike that it's on a center stand of some sort, and I can't work out the simple physics that must be at play getting the bike on that stand.

I have a XR650L that I need to do an oil change on, so I'm trying to figure out a way to keep it level whilst I smack on the drain plug, kick the bike when it won't come loose, all that good stuff. So far i'm thinking of using cargo hold downs to fasten the handlebars to my garage door rails to basically hold the bike level..

But i'd rather find a way of putting it on some sort of stand. I don't really have anything that sturdy, and I'm thinking of getting a simple lift from harbor freight that's really nothing more than a floor jack with a wide lifting surface to put under the frame there... But that's $80, and i'd rather use a little paint bucket or shipping crate, or any one of the many things i've seen substituted.

My main question is how does one even get the bike to where it will rest on said improvised jack stand? The only thing I can think of is just brute force lifting the front of the bike and shoving something under it. heh...

[Skippii]

You have to land the wheelie very precisely.

[fritzo]

lol. somehow I knew that was going to come up.

[the kaz]

you mean like a rear axle stand ? or a pit stand like for street bikes ?

[Osprey!]

Not a stupid question. Or at least, you're not alone in your stupidity.

I've seen bikes on milk crates, stumps, and a variety of stuff. How do you get it on the makeshift stand and balanced enough to work on it?

What's the trick...

[slackmeyer]

This is why it's so important to have a lightweight dirt bike.

Seriously, with my DRZ, I have my left hand on the handlebar, the right hand on the frame on the far side of the seat, and I pull the bike towards me. I push the bottom of the bike up with my knee, set it on the crate, and wiggle it into position. I'm a klutz, and it's a pretty awkward thing to do with a 300+ lb bike, so maybe someone else will show us how it's really done.

[RyanE]

Originally Posted by fritzo

I've seen in pretty much every picture of a dirtbike that it's on a center stand of some sort, and I can't work out the simple physics that must be at play getting the bike on that stand.

My main question is how does one even get the bike to where it will rest on said improvised jack stand? The only thing I can think of is just brute force lifting the front of the bike and shoving something under it. heh...

I'd also like to know how one gets a heavy dualsport onto one of these units by themselves. I made an el cheapo model with some scrap 2x4's and some casters I had lying around the garage. Mine is quite high, and I nearly busted a gut trying to lift my DR350 (somewhat light compared to other heavy dualsports) onto it. I think leaning the stand underneath the skidplate, then pushing the bike forwards will rotate the stand back to the floor and thus lift the bike. Of course, that won't work if you've got casters on there like I do. I got wise and used my 1000# engine hoist to hoist the bike onto the stand......

[fritzcoinc]

Here's one I red neck engineered for my XRL. The angle is 7 deg. The other one under the Husky is 10 deg. both directions and works much better. I drilled a hole with a speed bore bit to cradle the frame at at the angle of the stand. You put the stand under the bike while holding the bike vrt. then stand on the short leg of the stand just like how you would operate a center stand. The wider base is one of the reasons the stand design under the Husky works better, it is easer to get your foot on the short leg of the stand. Both are glued and screwed together.

[groundrules]

Originally Posted by fritzcoinc

NICE!!! i will be blantantly ripping off your good idea any day now.

thanks!

[tbirdsp]

If the bike is heavy I get a piece of 4X4 wood and position it near the kick stand. Get your milk crate or whatever in position next to the bike. Put the kick stand on the 4X4 and rock the bike up on the stand while carefully sliding your crate under it.

Warning: do this at your own risk and make sure your kick stand is stout enough if you do.

[fritzcoinc]

Originally Posted by groundrules

NICE!!! i will be blantantly ripping off your good idea any day now.
thanks!

Have at it bud. Glad to help.
Here is the LATEST design. A simpler way to build a stand. Again the angle is 10 deg. but because of the bash plate this stand is wide enough to get a foot on. Note the back cut on the top of the uprights. That gives you a good start. Again screws and glue. The holes make it lift faster .

[V8R]

i use a pair of chassis stands under my footpeg mounts.. extend them to 'long', lay at angle with bases pretty much at the rear wheel and pull 'er up (back), thereby pivoting the stands.. viola, shes up :)

[the kaz]

this is what i was thinking

[vwboomer]

Originally Posted by the kaz

this is what i was thinking

I guess I'd let her hold it up for me. She'll probly get pretty tired after awhile tho.

I actually just use a 6 gallon bucket, and like a previous poster, hold onto the handlebar and grab the frame behind the seat n lift. Might not work with a tank like a 650 or something tho.

[fritzcoinc]

Originally Posted by V8R

i use a pair of chassis stands under my footpeg mounts.. extend them to 'long', lay at angle with bases pretty much at the rear wheel and pull 'er up (back), thereby pivoting the stands.. viola, shes up :)

Here's something similar: