Hey clever people. Anyone have a stable system for getting the front wheel up when using an Abba stand without spending another £60? Peace.
Does that not put a strain on the bolts holding the pipe on and the pipes themselves? Do you put a chock of wood between them?
If you can work in a garage with rafters above you, then one method is to use a pair of ratchet straps to lift up the front. I have not done this yet on my Ducati, but I see no reason why it should not work. I did it with my Suzuki last year and it was up on the Abba Stand at back, lifted with the ratchet straps at the front, for several weeks with complete stability while I worked on fork legs, brakes, etc. I can't remember where I bought my ratchet straps, but probably Clas Ohlson or Toolstation - widely available for about £5 a pair, and easy to select some that are long enough with sufficient strength.
As Cranker says, get a paddock stand. I hear all the praise for Abba stands but 9 times out of 10 they're a pain in the arse.
You mean a Front paddock stand? Possible, but it depends on what sort of stand and what needs to be stripped down at the front - just wheel/brakes, or drop fork legs, or even remove yokes/steering stem?
Some strain I guess, but header pipes are pretty tough things! I'm only using it to get the front wheel off the ground, I don't then jump around on the bike or load it up heavily. I don't bother with a block of wood either. Works fine for me.
I don't use my Abba stand often as it's a PITA. A normal type rear stand does the job just as well and is easier. I do use the Abba though if I'm working on the front end as it's more balanced for getting the front in the air and a paddock stand gets in the way. I use an axle stand, either under the front header pipe or under the engine.
I tried my new (2nd hand) rear paddock stand last night for the first time. Didn't like it, when I span the rear wheel everything wobbled to much. OK for lubing/adjusting chain but I would not trust it if I needed to put some big effort on a nut. I know Abba are fiddly and scratch the paint but it feels secure.
Why not simulate the Abba stand extension using a length of 3x3 planed wood ? Then use a ratchet lashing strap to pull the rear down. Andy
I'd like a front lift kit but doubt I'd use it much as I have front under headstock paddock stand, so £60 is a bit steep. Easy to make if someone has welding gear. I'm looking at scaffold fittings, 2 x 3ft tubes and a ratchet strap. A few of my mates are scaffs, I'll see what I can scrounge.
Far too risky for a first go, in an emergency maybe but I'd never attempt that & I've removed mine god knows how many times :Blackeye: :Arghh:
Was joking. I'm way to paranoid of hurting my baby to try that. First mod I made to the 996 was an 848 stand.
See if homemade stands (like mine) could fit yours...... .....You can do more with them than you can with any other stand....
He's posted about them lots of times before, so to save waiting: ABBA stand - best/safest way to get the front wheel up? | Ducati Forum
Just spend the £60 and get the front wheel lift attachment. It doesn't clutter the back end as much as paddock stand, its cheaper and and its easy to regulate the wheel height.
Just use a front paddock stand if it's just to get the wheel out. If it's fork legs then use a jack or a block of wood. The way the abba stand pivots like a seesaw there is hardly any weight on the headers / sump etc. you can push the back wheel down by hand and get somebody to slide the wood under the engine. Or if you are on a hydraulic table you can ratchet strap the back wheel down which will lift the front. Loads of options
