Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Rear Bike Stand recommendations

Looking for a bike stand that works for both 2009 Bonneville and America with no modifications. We are getting tired of rolling the bikes around to clean and lube the chain not to mention the mess on the garage floor. Anyway, searched old posts and nothing really came up other than the bike lift option. I am not comfortable with this choice because of the stability concerns. I want something that is simple and stable and rear stand seemed like a good choice, but there are so many choices! I am looking for input from folks that have first hand experience with this tool on their bike that has similar config as the ones mentioned. I know a center stand would be best solution but is not an option as this time.

thanks

Had one of these for 4 years.....works for me !!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Triumph-Workshop-P...=item4a9c7ccc7f

welcome to the forum Lynn.

You mention

Quote:

---

other than the bike lift option. I am not comfortable with this choice because of the stability concerns

---

I know you have probably made your mind up but I just wanted to say, I have had a bike lift since day one and I've probably used it 50+ times and not once did I feel the bike was unstable.

They are relatively cheap to buy, quick to position and raise and the underneath of our bikes have the perfect platform to use these stands.

I've even moved the bike when it's on the stand quite easily so unless I deliberately pushed my bike off it, there is no problem. That's my experience anyway.

Personally they are my choice as I like to work on my bike and it allows me to use a stool beside the bike when the stand is on the highest setting so there is less strain on my back.

I also have a scott oiler which does come into the equation cos I don't need to continually oil my chain.

So with these bike lifts, unless you put the lift as far forward or towards the back as possible and not centred, you can't go wrong.

Even if you did, the bike will tell you it's in the wrong spot cos either the front or back wheel won't lift at the same time as each other.

So I really don't know why you think they are unstable cos in my experience they aren't the least bit.

Just my two cents worth.

staffo

My experience agrees w/ Staffo assuming you're on concrete or any hard flat level surface; strangely the lifts are way cheaper and WAY more versatile than the stands. The best part is you can get off the tires and park your bike in a tight corner for the winter, or pull it out in a minute to work on it.

When I purchased my bike Triumph offered a center stand but it did not fit because the size of the muffler would not accommodate the stand . Just found out today they are coming out with a new center stand that has dealt with this issue. The shop has it on order. I must say your testimonials plus reviews on the Sears lift have made me reconsider and will probably get one for the America and overall use. Can't beat the price.

Thanks for the input

Pep Boys currently has one for $69 with a $20 mail in rebate for a total of $49. I picked one up today so I could complete my chain cleaning and lubing. Worked great. A small amount of assembly is required.

Here's the cheapest err.. free assuming you have a car jack!

- bike is on the side stand
- squeeze and wrap shut the front brake lever
- put the car jack under the rear right end side of the frame
- lift the bike up a little, (on my sport bike, the back wheel would just come up, on the America, it's the front wheel moving up first, so be aware!)
- sit back, lift the rear of the bike (easy, almost weightless by now) and spin the rear wheel as you spray on your favorite chain lube.

PS. Don't lift the bike too much, I almost figured too late that the back wheel was not rising but the front one, at first!... It doesn't take much, a few turns on the jack and it's there.

PPS. Don't forget to lock the front brake!
PPPS. Would be even easier if bike had rear spools, like most sportbikes have these days. Just put the jack under the outside spool and lift.

Voila!

In the past 30+ years I have used numerous home made and store bought lifts trying to find the one that suits me best. Well about 5 or 6 years ago I purchased and Eazy Rizer lift and IMHO it is one of the most versatile lifts available. Mine has been used for virtually every style of bike as well as quads and most anything else you can think of. It wasn't cheap back then and is even more expensive now but the quality and useability is fantastic.
http://www.bike-lift.com/

Thanks for the link Kit. I've never seen that lift before. I especially like how high they go but it must look pretty scary seeing your bike that high?

Do you need any particular drill to lift, or is a standard descent model drill fine for the job?

The only prob I saw was no wheels but the other factors like height and clamping may well over weigh that. I also didn't see a price but for quality I don't mind paying.

Very interesting.

Staffo these things are very stable. Just like the propoganda on the website you can do just about anything when the bike is in the air. It's a rare occasion that I clamp my Speedmaster down. I weigh 250# and can easily get up on the bike and rock it while it's on the stand (I may clamp it down for this if I remember). There are some good videos on the web of the lift in action, just do a search and I'm sure you will be as impressed as I was or should I say am. as far as the drill goes I use a Dewalt 3/8" drive cordless, you can even use a ratchet or wrench if you want but it's just slower. IMHO this unit is in a whole different league than the usual hydraulic lift. Mine is the original Red model but now there is the Big Blue model also. One last thing, with the proper attachments you can lift virtually any bike. I made the mistake of buying a lot of these attachments when I purchased the unit so now everyone I know casually shows up wanting to use it to work on thier bike.

Staffo try this link, it is for the Eazy Rizer distributor in Aussie land.
http://www.oneup.com.au/

Hey Kit, you're a champion mate.

I had a good look at the site and was thinking the red lift would be fine for our bikes. The blue sounds like it'll lift a small car or should I say Valkerie or one of those Honda Monsters.

Did you say what type you had. Sounds to me if you've had yours a while it's be the red lift which was and is the original and since then the bluey has come onto the scene.

thanks again Kit. I really do appreciate the link cos not so much now but sometime next year, one of these lifts sounds like it may have my name on it.

I'ts just the ease, let alone how secure they can be made to hold the bike. The biggest seller for me is the height though. Like 2' .

I love it. Shame they aren't on strong wheels to move them with the bike still on, provided the floor surface was smooth of course. They aren't cheap either but I don't care. Stuff like this has real "Tim the Tool Man" cred as far as I'm concerned. Excellent



staffo