I've got a Harris paddock stand for the rear of my XB9SX but as I am just about to get the tyres changed and was thinking of removing the wheels myself, I thought about getting a front paddock stand ... but can't seem to find anything suitable.

Anyone got a recommendation for a front paddock stand ? Or should I just tie the handlebars to the garage rafters with a bit of old rope ?

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Brain

Rafters are good The best paddock stand is one that fits up the steering stem. If you get the forks bottom type, you'll have cut and reweld one side since the forks are uneven in length. Avoid the type that fits with a spike into the fork bottom, they can chew the spindle

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

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Spencer Racing... www.spencerracing.co.uk

Mine's a Pit Bull.

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I started out with nothing and still got most of it left.

All that workshop space taken up when a £5 bit of steel affixed at the factory would do....... ah, the dictates of fashion.

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Spencer Racing... www.spencerracing.co.uk

Put it on the rear padock stand and if you have the standard exhaust fitted it has jacking points so just use a trolly jack to lift the front end thats all i do

I use a harris front paddock stand http://www.magix-photos.com/mpfw01/10/63/C4/79/20/B45211DBA9A7548B520287F6/63C47920B45211DB99B6F991520287F6.jpg

Problem with that Harris is getting the front wheel off ...

Looks like I'm gonna get a Pit Bull ... if only fwr.co.uk would answer their emails ... looks like I'll have to resort to using the TELEPHONE !! I'm assuming no-one knows of anywhere else to get it from (in this country) ?

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Brain

I just lift mine onto a block of slate with some wood on it, while its on the rear stand

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Buelling is exhillarating
But downhill bike racing is so terrifying it makes your arse grow teeth

Your a hard bastard, Rich.

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I started out with nothing and still got most of it left.

http://www.fwr.co.uk/

"FWR has this expertise, for all types of bikes and biking, just a phone call away. Even better e-mail us and get a reply next day."

Errr ... no, they don't answer emails.

"We are pleased to be the importers for Pit Bull, the worlds finest bike stands. Together they are a sturdy and effective combination, long lasting and easy to use. "

Errr ... no, they aren't ... they just told me on the phone that they "hadn't done any paddock stands for about 8 years"

The current suggestion is to order one from America ... hmmm, this is starting to sound like a VERY expensive operation. (I ordered a new, blue, larger, flyscreen for the XB from AmericanSportsbike a couple of months ago and the shipment, import duty, Royal Mail charge etc doubled the cost of the thing)

Looks like I'm going to be dangling the bike from the rafters or propping it up with bricks.

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Brain

Maybe email Pit Bull and see if they have a UK distributor?

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'08 X / '16 SX

In summary:

PitBull from manufacturor in US = $160
Removable handle (makes it smaller to ship) = $12
Shipping = $140
Tax at the UK = £50 (guess)
Customs handling charge = £10

Total = way too much

Alternatively, get it shipped from Canada where shipping charge is ... $200

Sigh.

Thinking about going to buy a new welding kit and some tube ...

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Brain

Jack it up on the exhaust?
Car jack and a block of wood - surprisingly sturdy. That's how I do it.

Jack up the back, remove rear wheel, lower ends of swingarm onto a car wheel with tyre - nice soft rubber so you don't scratch things up.

Move jack to the front, repeat but just leave it on the jack while you go away to get the tyres done.

I managed to find a second hand micron for the back wheel,one man job to get the back wheel off easy.
Then i jack up the exhaust with car jack and place axle stands on the front forks.
I 'm thinking of making one of these for winter storage.


You will need the stock exhaust to use this however.

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Better late than never.