Front paddock stand

[GlynH]

Hi there,

Looking around for a good quality front paddock stand for my K1300GT and wondered what you guys might be able to recommend?

Main reason is to get the front wheel off the ground enough to allow it to spin while cleaning so not looking for a stand that might obstruct access as I struggle enough to get my hand past the discs and ABS sensor as it is. 

Would prefer a stand that maybe inserted through the hole in the axle rather than one that balances precariously under the fork legs but not sure if this is even an option or not and thinking about it would prohibit my taking the front wheel off so defeats the object I guess!

Would be nice to have a shorter one rather than a longer one as the front wheel is pretty close to the garage door and it would be good to use it with the doors closed if possible.

Oh and aluminium would be nice and...and...

Saw a white one propped up against the wall on a brief visit to BMW Warwick this morning but stupidly didn't take much notice as all my other enquiries (SatNav cradle, wiring harness, BMW emblem, accessory socket etc.) seemed to draw a blank disinterest anyways and I just wanted to get out of there 

Any recommendations please?

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[Phmode]

There is a proper one but a trolley Jack under the headers is fairly normal practice. Oh, and I'm not certain it makes the job any easier 

[GlynH]

Ha you're probably right! 

Thing is I'd have to take the undertray off to get access to the headers and the idea of just popping a rod through the axle and laying the handle/bar down towards the floor to lift the bike up seems much easier to me. Not that I'm lazy of course...it's just that I don't like to make work for myself.

I used to have an Abba Superbike stand for my Thunderace (as it had no centre stand) and there was an arm I could attach and a strap that went around the rear bobbin to drag it down at the back to raise the front wheel.

I also bought their Skylift shortly before I sold the bike and apart from trying it once never used it but was badgered into giving it away to a friend of mine as I thought my biking days were over when I sold the 'Ace.

Wishing I had kept it now...

On a related note do any of you have a suitable bike lift that you could recommend?

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[fjtwelve]

I've got one of these

https://www.motorcycleparts-hornig.com/BMW-K-1300-GT/Accessories-Paint-protection/Front-lifter.html

[Matt]

Ha you're probably right! 

Thing is I'd have to take the undertray off to get access to the headers and the idea of just popping a rod through the axle and laying the handle/bar down towards the floor to lift the bike up seems much easier to me. Not that I'm lazy of course...it's just that I don't like to make work for myself.

I used to have an Abba Superbike stand for my Thunderace (as it had no centre stand) and there was an arm I could attach and a strap that went around the rear bobbin to drag it down at the back to raise the front wheel.

I also bought their Skylift shortly before I sold the bike and apart from trying it once never used it but was badgered into giving it away to a friend of mine as I thought my biking days were over when I sold the 'Ace.

Wishing I had kept it now...

On a related note do any of you have a suitable bike lift that you could recommend?

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

Ah so you know what you're missing! I use the Abba and the rod thing to lift the front. I didn't ever lift the front wheel when I had the K though, and bought this after (i'm on a KTM now). The only downside I can think of right now is that probably more than half the time I put the stand together onto the bike, lever the rear off the ground and then remember I want the front up too and have to take it all apart to attach the flipping rod holder and rod.

I can't think of another way to achieve the "no more stuff in the way of the wheel" criteria, though. With the KTM I do just take both annoyingly orange wheels off when I want to actually clean them properly.

[Phmode]

Ha you're probably right! 

Thing is I'd have to take the undertray off to get access to the headers

Nope. If you get out and get under you will see the belly pan is cut out below the horizontal portion of the headers. Stick a block of wood on top of a jolly track and Bob's your cousin's father.

Of course, like a front stand, this only works if you have a centre stand.

[drumwrecker]

FJ's set up looks great to me.
That front stand works out expensive when VAT and shipping is added.
Is there a UK equivalent?

[SCM]

I got mine from here
https://www.louis-moto.co.uk/en/kern-stabi-basic-lifter-2039-galvanized-10002650
There is no duty to pay
Steve

[GlynH]

Spooky…I discovered this very same one earlier this afternoon and decided because it uses bushes to go into those triangular ‘holes’ and also offered a minimum profile and allowed me to take the wheel out that this was ‘The One’ 

Good to know there is no duty to pay as that can put the price up considerably.

How do you find it to use?

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[raesewell]

I will be visiting the Louis Moto super store in Tilburg in June while I am in the Netherlands with Melanie. I casually dropped it into the conversation and she either wasn't listening or doesn't mind 

[SCM]

Spooky…I discovered this very same one earlier this afternoon and decided because it uses bushes to go into those triangular ‘holes’ and also offered a minimum profile and allowed me to take the wheel out that this was ‘The One’ 
Good to know there is no duty to pay as that can put the price up considerably.
How do you find it to use?
Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

Hi
Sorry not getting back to you sooner..  Her indoors informed me I had to sort out the bathroom plumbing 😂
It’s the only front stand that seems to work. I’ll post some pictures in the next couple of days
Steve.

[GlynH]

I'd be very interested in finding out a little more about the Kern Stabi front paddock stand along with some pictures if possible...thanks.

Does it use rubber bushings to locate in the triangle openings on the front forks?

Does it lift the front wheel and yet still allow the rear wheel to be turned while on the centre stand?

Not sure I would want to support all that weight by jacking underneath the headers but so far the Kern Stabi seems to fit the bill.

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[Phmode]

The twice that a dealer has taken me into the workshop to show me play in the front end, the bike has been on a lift with the weight taken on the headers. Yer pays her money...

[GlynH]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yeah well a dealer would just love the opportunity to recommend a leaking exhaust manifold gasket or damaged headers be replaced at a later date! 

I know I am fussy but I have often cringed watching dealers work on my car/bike or so-called specialised 'technicians' working on their own brand equipment across many years and am a firm believer in the right tool for the job which explains why I was always called a Tool-Tart! 

I have tools in my garage still unused but that will I am sure come in handy one day.

Probably. 

-=Glyn=-

[raesewell]

The headers are more than strong enough to take the weight of the bike as long as you spread the weight across the four pipes.