| Author | Message | ||
     Birdy |
Just got one today and wondered if it's OK to use by myself or should I get some to help. I'd really hate to drop the bike, on my car would really bite! I've never used one of these things, all my old bikes had a center stand or was a dirt bike and I had a old center lift for. Any help would be great. OH yea it's going to almost 50 tomorrow and I have a flat on the rear and the new tire's not going on until this weekend.  | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Getting the bike up on a rear stand single handedly is a bit daunting at first, and many a novice has ended up with his bicycle on the ground. Whilst have a confederate to assist is always welcome, it really isn't necessary, and one can easily learn how to do it oneself. The easiest way is to use a tilting Cycle Cat rear stand which automatically tilts the bike vertically while lifting. I assume you have the conventional type which does not do this. The way I do it is as follows. I am sure others have their own technique. 1. Adjust the little side arms to the correct width to hold the swing arm or spools if any. 2. While the bike is still on the side stand, position the stand so the left arm is under the left swing arm. 3. Then approach the bike from the left rear, and very slowly bring the bike to the vertical while leaning over the rear seat. 4. Now the bike should be vertical, and you should be relaxed and facing across the bike which you are steadying with your body. 5. With your free right hand, reach back and start to push down on the stand. When both little arms have engaged the swing arm, and the bike is vertical, you now go to the back of the stand, and push it down, lifting the rear tire off the ground. It is really easier than it sounds, (got to be, right?). The trick is move very very slowly and carefully. Practice makes perfect.  Now doing it on my Dyna Glide is something I prefer to have a friend help me with: the thing weighs 650 pounds. | ||
| Clutchless |
Gent_jon is too right. Practice makes perfect. have a friend help the first few times you do it by yourself, just to make sure you dont drop it. I actually had someone hold the bike the first couple thousand times because I was terrified of this. now I slap it on (fixed mine up with springs to hold the arms to the swing arm)holding the stand high from the ground while its on the sidestand, it holds quite tight and stays in place, then I lean over it with my stomach on the seat to make it stand straight, like Jon says, and press down on the stand. Once the stand has the weight its cake, just dont let go of the stand until its double and triple checked in place. | ||
| Mr2shim |
I prefer to have someone do it with me. I can do it on my own, no problem, It's just a bit nerve wrecking. | ||
| 984gasm |
The hard part is putting it back down by yourself. MAKE SURE YOUR SIDE STAND IS DOWN, and as I bring the stand up (lowering the bike), I make sure the side stand is fully "extended" with my foot, as not to fold back in when the bike leans over. | ||
| Dentfixer |
This brings up a question I have.... I saw some stands with the arm/lever on the left side and extending forward. Don't know who makes them. Pushing down on the lever brings your hand close to the riders left foot peg. Is this a better stand than the one built with the arm straight rearward? Any problems with this type? Or is it just a preference and a bit safer when you are alone? I do have the Pit Bull with the arm straight back. Have no problem with it but I do get a bit anxious putting it up by myself. I do NOT want to drop my baby! | ||
| Chainsaw |
I stick a small block of wood under the sidestand to level the bike out a bit for the Pit Bull. Goes up very solidly. Going down, I stand behind the bike on the left, with my left hand on the tail sections, and raise the PB arm with my right. A little twitchy at first, but no misshaps.  | ||
| Br8knnex |
this is all you need, best money spent. i hate the old rear stands this is easier and also saves room. http://www.pit-bull.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Scr een=PROD&Store_Code=PBMSA&Product_Code=F0042-000&C ategory_Code=forward_handle_rear_stands   |
