Supporting Your Bike While Servicing: Difference between revisions

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====Economy vs quality stands====

A Totally Biased Review

'''A Totally Biased Review'''

*Opinions by [https://www.ninja250.org/profiles/showProfile.php?userId=AJinNoHills AJinHoHills] - Shared by many

:Opinions by [https://www.ninja250.org/profiles/showProfile.php?userId=AJinNoHills AJinHoHills] - Shared by many

A lot of people either can't afford to or don't want to spend the money on a Pit Bull stand. I can sympathize, but when it comes to tools I cannot agree. Recently I had the opportunity to pick up an "economy" rear stand for literally a song, so I figured at the very least I'd have something to post a comparison about.

The ~~rear~~ stand is a PSR (Power Stands Racing) and can be purchased from [http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/track_garage/motorcycle_stands__lifts/psr/econo_rear_spool_stand.html MotorcycleGear.com] and many other retailers. It's $55, but it only comes with the spool attachment, so if you have a bike like the EX250F that doesn't have spools, add the swingarm flat lifters for an extra $15. Add shipping and you're up to $85.

The stand is a PSR (Power Stands Racing) and can be purchased from [http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/track_garage/motorcycle_stands__lifts/psr/econo_rear_spool_stand.html MotorcycleGear.com] and many other retailers. It's $55, but it only comes with the spool attachment, so if you have a bike like the EX250F that doesn't have spools, add the swingarm flat lifters for an extra $15. Add shipping and you're up to $85.

The Pit Bull SS Rear Motorcycle Stand comes with spool ~~and~~ paddle ~~attachments~~ for $145 from [http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=34 Sportbike Track Gear].

The Pit Bull SS Rear Motorcycle Stand comes with a convertible spool-paddle attachment for $145 shipped from [http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=34 Sportbike Track Gear].

First impressions of the PSR were that it seemed to be of OK quality. The stand ships disassembled, and online reviews were very clear that the stand should be bolted together TIGHT or the arms would shift under load. Upon assembling it, I was disappointed at the fit and really not impressed~~. It might be~~ because I have my PB stands against which to compare and pass judgment~~, but my~~ overall impression is that I'm glad I got my Pit Bulls~~. And~~ if both had been in the store at the time I bought mine, I would still have made the same decision.

First impressions of the PSR were that it seemed to be of OK quality. The stand ships disassembled, and online reviews were very clear that the stand should be bolted together TIGHT or the arms would shift under load. Upon assembling it, I was disappointed at the fit and really not impressed, possibly because I have PB stands against which to compare and pass judgment. My overall impression is that I'm glad I got my Pit Bulls, and if both had been in the store at the time I bought mine, I would still have made the same decision.

The tubing outside diameter of the PSR is 11/16" - Pit Bull is 15/16".

The tubing outside diameter of the PSR is 1 1/4" - Pit Bull is 1 1/2". Wheels are 3 3/4 Pit Bull and 2 3/4 PSR.

[[image:100_0121.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0135.jpg|150px]]

Since the holes in the PSR don't match up, the two parts of the frame that are supposed to fit together and support each other don't, and all the weight is on the bolts.

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[[image:100_0125.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0122.jpg|150px]]

On the PSR, the cross bracing on the legs is not welded all the way around. And the welds that are there weren't done particularly well.

[[image:100_0132.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0133.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0134.jpg|150px]]

The width adjusters on the Pit Bull are beefier and have a much better design. The two right photos show how the Pit Bull SS adapter flips over to accommodate either spools or swingarm paddles.

[[image:100_0127.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0128.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0129.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0131.jpg|150px]]

As with most tools, you get what you pay for. If you plan on using something for years, it pays to get a quality one.

[[image:100_0119.jpg|150px]]

[[image:100_0120-r.jpg|150px]]

'''Followup after using the PSR'''

Despite the crappy looking welds, once bolted together firmly it does feel solid when in use. It takes some fiddling to get the paddles lined up properly, but that may just be an adjustment issue on my part. One thing I did notice is that you have to be very careful about where on the swingarm you lift it. Put the paddle in the wrong place and it hits the sprocket nuts. This is quite common on cheap stands and may lead you to think there's something wrong with your brake caliper, as the wheel won't go around like it's supposed to.

I guess if you're really in need of a stand "now" and don't have the funds get a high quality one, get this one. But I still recommend that you save up some money over time and get a Pit Bull. Nothing about this stand excites me or made me rethink my choice in getting a Pit Bull the first time around.

== Alternatives for Supporting the Rear End ==

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[[Image:FrontEndSupport1.jpg | 150px]]

~~[[Image:FrontEndSupport2.jpg | 150px]]~~

[[Image:Front wheel support.jpg | 150px]]

[[image:688890.jpg|150px]]

You can prop the front on the drain bolt or the headers, or both. Use the one you're comfortable with.

[[Image:front supported-1024.jpg | 190px]]

[[Image:FrontEndSupport2.jpg | 150px]]

You can also prop the engine with a jack or jackstand (which goes under the oil drain bolt). <b>This method is less stable</b>, but allows you to raise or lower the front end smoothly.

@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 ====Economy vs quality stands====
-A Totally Biased Review
+'''A Totally Biased Review'''
-*Opinions by [https://www.ninja250.org/profiles/showProfile.php?userId=AJinNoHills AJinHoHills] - Shared by many
+:Opinions by [https://www.ninja250.org/profiles/showProfile.php?userId=AJinNoHills AJinHoHills] - Shared by many
 A lot of people either can't afford to or don't want to spend the money on a Pit Bull stand. I can sympathize, but when it comes to tools I cannot agree. Recently I had the opportunity to pick up an "economy" rear stand for literally a song, so I figured at the very least I'd have something to post a comparison about.
-The rear stand is a PSR (Power Stands Racing) and can be purchased from [http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/track_garage/motorcycle_stands__lifts/psr/econo_rear_spool_stand.html MotorcycleGear.com] and many other retailers. It's $55, but it only comes with the spool attachment, so if you have a bike like the EX250F that doesn't have spools, add the swingarm flat lifters for an extra $15. Add shipping and you're up to $85.
+The stand is a PSR (Power Stands Racing) and can be purchased from [http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/track_garage/motorcycle_stands__lifts/psr/econo_rear_spool_stand.html MotorcycleGear.com] and many other retailers. It's $55, but it only comes with the spool attachment, so if you have a bike like the EX250F that doesn't have spools, add the swingarm flat lifters for an extra $15. Add shipping and you're up to $85.
-The Pit Bull SS Rear Motorcycle Stand comes with spool and paddle attachments for $145 from [http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=34 Sportbike Track Gear].
+The Pit Bull SS Rear Motorcycle Stand comes with a convertible spool-paddle attachment for $145 shipped from [http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=34 Sportbike Track Gear].
-First impressions of the PSR were that it seemed to be of OK quality. The stand ships disassembled, and online reviews were very clear that the stand should be bolted together TIGHT or the arms would shift under load. Upon assembling it, I was disappointed at the fit and really not impressed. It might be because I have my PB stands against which to compare and pass judgment, but my overall impression is that I'm glad I got my Pit Bulls. And if both had been in the store at the time I bought mine, I would still have made the same decision.
+First impressions of the PSR were that it seemed to be of OK quality. The stand ships disassembled, and online reviews were very clear that the stand should be bolted together TIGHT or the arms would shift under load. Upon assembling it, I was disappointed at the fit and really not impressed, possibly because I have PB stands against which to compare and pass judgment. My overall impression is that I'm glad I got my Pit Bulls, and if both had been in the store at the time I bought mine, I would still have made the same decision.
-The tubing outside diameter of the PSR is 11/16" - Pit Bull is 15/16".
+The tubing outside diameter of the PSR is 1 1/4" - Pit Bull is 1 1/2". Wheels are 3 3/4 Pit Bull and 2 3/4 PSR.
 [[image:100_0121.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:100_0135.jpg|150px]]
 Since the holes in the PSR don't match up, the two parts of the frame that are supposed to fit together and support each other don't, and all the weight is on the bolts.
@@ Line 126: / Line 127: @@
 [[image:100_0125.jpg|150px]]
 [[image:100_0122.jpg|150px]]
+On the PSR, the cross bracing on the legs is not welded all the way around. And the welds that are there weren't done particularly well.
+[[image:100_0132.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:100_0133.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:100_0134.jpg|150px]]
+The width adjusters on the Pit Bull are beefier and have a much better design. The two right photos show how the Pit Bull SS adapter flips over to accommodate either spools or swingarm paddles.
+[[image:100_0127.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:100_0128.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:100_0129.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:100_0131.jpg|150px]]
+As with most tools, you get what you pay for. If you plan on using something for years, it pays to get a quality one.
+[[image:100_0119.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:100_0120-r.jpg|150px]]
+'''Followup after using the PSR'''
+Despite the crappy looking welds, once bolted together firmly it does feel solid when in use. It takes some fiddling to get the paddles lined up properly, but that may just be an adjustment issue on my part. One thing I did notice is that you have to be very careful about where on the swingarm you lift it. Put the paddle in the wrong place and it hits the sprocket nuts. This is quite common on cheap stands and may lead you to think there's something wrong with your brake caliper, as the wheel won't go around like it's supposed to.
+I guess if you're really in need of a stand "now" and don't have the funds get a high quality one, get this one. But I still recommend that you save up some money over time and get a Pit Bull. Nothing about this stand excites me or made me rethink my choice in getting a Pit Bull the first time around.
 == Alternatives for Supporting the Rear End ==
@@ Line 146: / Line 171: @@
 [[Image:FrontEndSupport1.jpg | 150px]]
-[[Image:FrontEndSupport2.jpg | 150px]]
 [[Image:Front wheel support.jpg | 150px]]
 [[image:688890.jpg|150px]]
+You can prop the front on the drain bolt or the headers, or both. Use the one you're comfortable with.
+[[Image:front supported-1024.jpg | 190px]]
+[[Image:FrontEndSupport2.jpg | 150px]]
 You can also prop the engine with a jack or jackstand (which goes under the oil drain bolt). <b>This method is less stable</b>, but allows you to raise or lower the front end smoothly.