Lifting the bike - no centre stand

[hunterso]

Just got round to thinking i would like to be able to raise my bike to get the back wheel off at some point.

Going to prove fairly difficult without a centre stand.

Whats the favourite method  - paddock stand or some kind of lift under the engine?

[LesterPiglet]

I just use a hydraulic jack and some wood made to fit the contours of the underside of the bike. I've never had a CS and never thought, "a cs would be handy now".
In the future I'm sure I'll have some sort of fancy device but I don't need it yet.

[Green1]

My Honda's are the only bikes I own with a main stand and I love it but I still use a front stand when messing around with the front end.I use front and rear paddock stands on the other bike for all most all servicing and cleaning it's amazing how much you miss when the bike leans to the left.With out them even minor things like checking the chain and oil level is a pain in the ass.

[LesterPiglet]

No problems checking the oil in my bike.
Levels and chain tension are ideally checked with both wheels on the ground with rider bum on seat.

[Green1]

My Triumph is a nightmare without the paddock stand because the dip stick is so low down and you have to screw it in all the way to get a reading.

[LesterPiglet]

Don't you have a manservant? 
My goodness, I couldn't be without mine. 

[Green1]

He's not talking to me since I took over his garage and through his car on the drive

[matthewmosse]

Chain hoist suspended from garage roof, and baler twine around either the headstock or rear shocks depending on which end needs work. I have a paddock stand that was left in the in laws shed by powhen they moved in, worth about what I paid for it - ok for light jobs but it bends and drops my 125 even.

[hunterso]

I was thinking of a paddock stand but dont like the idea of having to stand behind the bike to steady it while you hoist it up.

Have also been looking at this kind of thing - which seems quite handy

[LesterPiglet]

The above is basically what I have cobbled together.

[busa]

I use the same as this one above.  and have no problems with it  with my 550 k3,  I also used it for my modern race bikes  for wheel changes  fork works etc.   they are stable  and also have tie down points  as well just for the added security. would recommend it  even with motor in or out  is fine

[hunterso]

The only problem i can see with the above is that my exhaust runs under the bike so hides the frame rail on one side.

Is it ok to lift the bike with wood packing underneath the engine?

[LesterPiglet]

That's what I have been doing.

[bomber]

I had same problem,
My solution to lift the front was a friend who whelped with lifting and couple of stands.
I was a bit concerned but it was sturdy enough to take the forks of and bike was left like that for a week or so. It didn't wobble of slip.
I had stands resting on the frame.

Ignore that jack in the background, I didn't use it at the end.

Hope that helps