Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: ChuckW on September 26, 2011, 10:25:42 PM

Title: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: ChuckW on September 26, 2011, 10:25:42 PM
I want to get the tires off the ground for the winter, so I'm planning to use the center stand and a front stand.  Which front stand works for you? Pit bull's chart doesn't list anything as compatible with the c14.

Alternatively, would a jack work better?
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: OPUS on September 27, 2011, 07:25:33 AM
I have not used it or could I recommend it yes or no but it looks like what you need. I have thought about one not sure I really need it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=290476677313&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=290476677313&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT)
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: So Cal Joe on September 27, 2011, 08:06:48 AM
If you have it on the centerstand can't you use a bottle jack under the motor to raise the front wheel off the ground without having the rear wheel touch the ground?
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: jonathan on September 27, 2011, 08:39:47 AM
If you have it on the centerstand can't you use a bottle jack under the motor to raise the front wheel off the ground without having the rear wheel touch the ground?

Yes or you could put a pipe or rod through the front axle and support that on blocks or a screw or bottle jack.
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: Pokey on September 27, 2011, 08:51:09 AM
Just curious as to why, do you keep your bike outside under a cover?
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: BudCallaghan on September 27, 2011, 09:42:19 AM
Why do you want to elevate the front wheel?  When the bike is on the centerstand there isn't much weight on the front wheel.  The front tire can support that load for one hell of a long time and never know the difference.  The front wheel stand on the EBAY link recommended by OPUS appears to be a nice aftermarket creation at a reasonable price but to my way of thinking it's a bit like using an elephant gun to go squirrel hunting.
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: stevewfl on September 27, 2011, 06:28:03 PM
I take the back wheel off mine, then use this front stand in the pic to lift the front and remove the wheel. I would use a rear stand as well but why when sport touring bikes have a center stand?

PIT BULL brand race stands <---when second best stands are not an option for you.

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/standswheelsoff.jpg)
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: ZG on September 27, 2011, 08:28:47 PM
I take the back wheel off mine, then use this front stand in the pic to lift the front and remove the wheel. I would use a rear stand as well but why when sport touring bikes have a center stand?

PIT BULL brand race stands <---when second best stands are not an option for you.


+1... Pitbull stands are great!  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: bbhzx12 on September 27, 2011, 09:15:52 PM
ZG:  If black ones are faster why did they arrive an entire year later than the silver?
 ;)
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: ZG on September 27, 2011, 10:02:35 PM
ZG:  If black ones are faster why did they arrive an entire year later than the silver?
 ;)

 :rotflmao:
 
They didn't know what they had in the first year and tried to be broad in their demographic...
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: Barry on September 28, 2011, 04:11:13 AM
I agree - NOT a fan of a jack of any type under the motor or exhaust.  Much prefer to support the bike via a front stand and center stand.

Ordering me a Pit Bull.  If you have no experience with race stands, trust me on this and believe what the poster above says re: Pit Bull stands, if you do not want to drop the bike, buy a Pit Bull stand.  Period.  X2 if you are lifting a heavy C14 vice a featherweight supersport.

Barry
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: MikeERideWNC on September 28, 2011, 06:16:47 AM
Yep... PitBull is the only acceptable option.

You should always check Craig's List for Pitbull stands. It is not like you can ever damage one. EVER! They are about indestructable.
You can get them cheap... I always buy when I find them for 75.00 or less.
Make the seller and offer, they might take 75.00.
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: Mister Tee on September 28, 2011, 08:14:09 AM
On a C14, you're still stuck with using the center stand for the rear wheel.  I don't know how you could possibly adapt a rear race stand to work with a C14.  I use a jack under the headers to elevate the front wheel, and there is really very little pressure at all required to lift the front end at that point.
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: stevewfl on September 28, 2011, 08:22:37 AM
On a C14, you're still stuck with using the center stand for the rear wheel.  I don't know how you could possibly adapt a rear race stand to work with a C14.  I use a jack under the headers to elevate the front wheel, and there is really very little pressure at all required to lift the front end at that point.

Race stand simply goes under the forks once the rear wheel is removed if I recall correctly I use the pit bull on so many bikes. I've used a jack a lot too on my C14 when my front stand was busy on other bikes.
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: TimmyG on September 28, 2011, 09:02:30 AM
I used the center stand and a ratchet tiedown to lightly pull the back of the bike down lifting the front wheel
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: ZG on September 28, 2011, 10:02:22 AM
I used the center stand and a ratchet tiedown to lightly pull the back of the bike down lifting the front wheel

Just put one of these on the back...  ;)
 
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/backweight.jpg)
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: MikeERideWNC on September 28, 2011, 01:47:38 PM
That is very offensive she is a super nice lady with thyroid problems.
When they got married she was only 98 pounds.

Once she became manager of the Circle K the Little Debbie vendor gave her all of his out of dates.
 
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: Barry on September 28, 2011, 03:12:36 PM
Soooo....  can we get a group buy for a Pit Bull front stand????

If we can, I am 100% in.

Smelling DISCOUNT !

As a reseller, could Murph get the business, make some $$$, get us a discount, and facilitate a large group buy?  Hmmm?  MURPH ?????

Barry
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: ZG on September 28, 2011, 03:42:42 PM
That is very offensive she is a super nice lady with thyroid problems.
When they got married she was only 98 pounds.

Once she became manager of the Circle K the Little Debbie vendor gave her all of his out of dates.

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: ChuckW on September 30, 2011, 07:36:42 AM
Ordering me a Pit Bull.  If you have no experience with race stands, trust me on this and believe what the poster above says re: Pit Bull stands, if you do not want to drop the bike, buy a Pit Bull stand.  Period.  X2 if you are lifting a heavy C14 vice a featherweight supersport.

Which stand and pins are you ordering for the front?  As I noted in the OP, pit bull doesn't mention the C14 in their fit charts.
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: Barry on September 30, 2011, 09:29:37 AM
Haven't addressed it yet.  But my guess is if you tell Pit Bull how far apart your front forks are, and how high they are off the ground, they will sell you a stand / pins that fit your bike.

Barry
Title: Re: Which front stand do you recommend?
Post by: MikeERideWNC on September 30, 2011, 10:54:20 AM
WTF are you guy talking about pins for?

Just get the front fork stand. It works fine right off the shelf with the C-14.

I had a stand which had a pin that fit in the lower triple tree. It was great until my wife's 900RR fell off.

(http://www.ridewnc.com/pix/C14pitbull.jpg)