Equipment for basic maintenance and cleaning
Equipment for basic maintenance and cleaning
Author
Discussion

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

2,281 posts

135 months

Tuesday 13th February 2018
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As the title suggests, I’m after some advice on what the best equipment is to allow me to do some basic maintenance and cleaning of my bike at home. I’ve got a few options and different price points but would be interested to see what the opinions of Biker Banter were.

First up is the Bike It wheel spinner from Sports Bike Shop. Reviews are decent on there, it’s the cheapest option and should allow me to clean and lubricate the chain and cleans the wheels properly. However, it requires putting a support under your side stand to keep the bike as vertical as possible, therefore I’d be worried about the slightest of nudges the wrong way knocking it over.

Next option is a paddock stand, a decent one from R&G. Can’t really go wrong, will allow me to do everything I want to do but is bigger and more expensive than the wheel spinner. Also requires a very minor modification to the bike. Apparently paddock stands can be a bit dodgy with one person, too.

Final option is an Abba superbike stand. Not really too much more than an R&G but fine to use alone and allows for more work on the bike.

So, what do you reckon? Worth the outlay or stick to the basic spinner?

trickywoo

14,279 posts

261 months

Tuesday 13th February 2018
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I'd go Abba stand. You can add the front lift kit as and when you need it.

Paddock stand with one person is fine once you get used to it though.

Jazoli

9,701 posts

281 months

Tuesday 13th February 2018
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I'd just get a paddock stand and use in conjunction with some swingarm bobbins, I have an abba stand and its a great bit of kit but I hardly ever use it as a paddock stand is so much easier.

Once you have got the knack of using a paddock stand they are really easy.

crofty1984

17,064 posts

235 months

Tuesday 13th February 2018
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http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/tool-...

If you're after basic tools, I really rate the above kit. Served me well for a decade of abuse, the box is falling apart now, but the tools themselves have held up well. I advise adding more grips and a 6" steel rule.
Also, that's discounted to half price about 11 months of the year, so buy it then.

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

2,281 posts

135 months

Wednesday 14th February 2018
quotequote all
I gave in and bought the Abba stand. Arriving tomorrow. All very exciting.

LosingGrip

8,914 posts

190 months

Wednesday 14th February 2018
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horsemeatscandal said:
I gave in and bought the Abba stand. Arriving tomorrow. All very exciting.
Best choice. I have one and its amazing. So simple to use.

Simes205

5,031 posts

259 months

Wednesday 14th February 2018
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The front lift kit will be next on your list!

BobSaunders

3,110 posts

186 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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horsemeatscandal said:
I gave in and bought the Abba stand. Arriving tomorrow. All very exciting.
I have the abba superbike kit 3. Fully rolling, and both bike wheels off the deck. Wish i bought the abba superbike lift tho.

However, i have found it easier to use a paddock stand to get it onto the abba stand as the bike needs to be fairly upright to get the abba stand in place.

Paddock stands during the summer for me as the bike is used more, just on the back wheel, and winter on the Abba stand for storage and easy moving in the garage.

Vincefox

20,566 posts

203 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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Another vote for abba, especially for more in depth mechanical stuff.

I bought the relocation bobbin kit a few years back as well, it allows you to attach the abba stand and still remove swingarms, it's very, very useful for the money.

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

2,281 posts

135 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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Can someone please reassure that I’ve done this right? It’s fitted way further back than the generic instructions suggested, on the back of the swing arm instead of the front but I couldn’t work out where else it could go? Also, I’m fairly sure the fittings are on the wrong sides as you can see that the pin barely fits the hole, whereas it goes right in on the other side. Again, I just followed the instructions.

Seems to work though.




Vincefox

20,566 posts

203 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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Really, REALLY carefully, get that back on the ground.

Unless you have a mounting set I'm unaware of, they aren't meant to go on like that.

ETA: on closer inspection of your pictures, is there a black plastic bolt-on cover on your frame just in front of the footpeg area? that's roughly where an abba would usually be screwed into.

Edited by Vincefox on Thursday 15th February 17:55

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

2,281 posts

135 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
quotequote all
Vincefox said:
Really, REALLY carefully, get that back on the ground.

Unless you have a mounting set I'm unaware of, they aren't meant to go on like that.
It didn’t feel right I must say, but there really wasn’t anywhere else for it to fit?

It’s down now mind. Google awaits. Might drop them an email.

Vincefox

20,566 posts

203 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
quotequote all
That's a relief!

Normally, they fit around/on the swingarm bolt so if you follow the line of the swingarm forward you're in the right area.

Seriously, tap the black area of the frame forward of the footpeg area, it looks like it could be a cover. I suspect the swingarm bolt head is hidden behind it.

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

2,281 posts

135 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Haha it’s not a wind up I’m just a tit. Gonna go and inspect again now. Guess I was lucky there.....

Every day is a school day.

Vincefox

20,566 posts

203 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
quotequote all
I have to say, in decades of using paddocks, abbas, hydraulics, trolleys, scissors, planks, blocks, stepladders, roof beams and ropes, I'd never even considered using an abba AS a paddock stand.

You sir, are a genius.

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

2,281 posts

135 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
quotequote all
Ah, yes, well then.... moving swiftly on from this evening’s entertainment.


Biker's Nemesis

41,479 posts

239 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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Vincefox said:
I have to say, in decades of using paddocks, abbas, hydraulics, trolleys, scissors, planks, blocks, stepladders, roof beams and ropes, I'd never even considered using an abba AS a paddock stand.

You sir, are a genius.
Made me smile. smile

horsemeatscandal

Original Poster:

2,281 posts

135 months

Friday 16th February 2018
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He’s cracked it!

Lovely and clean now, too.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

286 months

Friday 16th February 2018
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Bit annoying that you have to remove a cover to get to the swingarm pivot though. I'd be tempted to source a spare cover and drill a suitable hole in it.

cmaguire

3,589 posts

140 months

Friday 16th February 2018
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Simes205 said:
The front lift kit will be next on your list!
Without it the stand is a glorified paddock stand.
With it you can manage all maintenance that doesn't involve swingarm bearings