Rear Stand.

[seratt]

I just want to double check that I'm getting the correct type of rear stand for my 96 Magna.

http://www.pit-bull.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23_178&products_id=31&osCsid=475b36f5e9e41e9aa62b044a7115b15f

Will that work ok?  And would I need to add an axle holder?

Thanks,

Tim

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

Tim, if you really want to spend the money it looks like that might work, I have never tried it.
But... if you have not heard about the 'poor mans jack' from BJ, a Magna owner from LA that moved on to another bike, it works real well for any applications that need the rear wheel raised. Here is what you need:
cut a piece of 4x4 the exact length (of course this changes when you get a bigger or smaller tire) of the distance from the ground to the bottom of the right rear yoke where it meets the axle while the bike is on the kick stand. Then cut another piece of 4x4 about 2.5 inches tall. (make sure the front wheel is straight before contiuing) Place the long piece under the yoke by the axle so that the bottom where it touches the ground does not touch the wheel , then put the 2.5 inch piece just behind the kick stand where it touches the ground, sit on the bike holding the handle bars, put your foot behind the piece by your kick stand and lean the bike to the right while sliding the 2.5 piece under the kick stand, letting the bike down and rest on the 2.5 piece. This should elevate the rear tire to do most anything you need to do except run the bike in gear ( kick stand down in gear kills the bike). When done do the same thing in reverse. Always check the piece on the axle side for a good fit. It may take a few tries at finding the sweet spot for the long piece.
Hope I have not bored you. This makes an excellent take along tool for waxing the chain while on a trip.
Bob

[Herman]

Seratt,

I have a swingarm lift also and it works well for holding the bike up and working on the rear tire/chain.  However, unless you can get one for cheap (I got mine used for $45), for the money, I would go with an auctual lift.  Two things I would watch for are the swingarm seems to be a little wider on a magna than most sports bikes (I had to jimmy-rigg mine a little to work well) and make sure you won't hit the exhaust.

[Greg Cothern]

I second the Poor Mans lift!!!  They are quite cheap and work great!!!

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

It will be demonstrated at MM5 for anyone interested.
Bob

[seratt]

Thanks.

I'm still deciding if I want to try the poor man's lift or not.  Really worried I may dump the bike trying to get that kick stand on that little piece of 4x4.

[Jerry G Turner]

They are really easy to use and I am sure you won't dump the bike getting it on the 4X4 I used a landscape timber when I made mine and never had a problem with it.

[dc112675]

I bought a lift from harbor freight tools, and I think it ran me about $70 . . . ah yes, here is a link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2792

 I then built a Larin lift made from scrap lumber, which fit the bike perfect.  It made it much sturdier.  Here is a link to a instructions/diagram on how to make it:

http://www.magnariders.com/html/TipTrick/Larin.html

 With the lift I can work on either tire, whereas a rear lift leaves the front tire inaccessible.  

Just a thought.  If you have a HFT store nearby you can get it for the same price and save a little on shipping (even after tax).  Good luck, dc

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

I have been using it for 4 years and not one drop.
Bob