Motomfg Paddock Stand GB - now incl Sprint

[DEcosse]

I just got update from Motomfg that fitment for the Spint is now available.
Note that application says 05+ ST - this should also fit the 02-04 ST & RS
(and similar to the S3/Daytona, the 99+ models if you swap out the Swing-arm spindle)

If you wish to participate, please see the GB sign-up here - http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-trip...th-review.html

The deal is -13% off list.

Note that we have already achieved the minimum for the GB discount so you will be able to place your order immediately!

[champ87]

Good work on arranging this group buy DEcosse. You are da man!

Already ordered. That stand is just what I need. OK need is a strong word but it will definitely add to my continued happiness. When I first checked the group buy thread the Sprint wasn't covered. Now the Sprint is there and I get a new toy! Yippee!

[sussurf]

DEcosse I haven't given up yet. What would you say the package weighed as shipped? If you still have the box perhaps some rough dimensions?

[DEcosse]

Hi Phil - The box weighs 56lbs and measures 24"x24"x12".

Good Luck!

[jayzzz]

I really want one of these but shipping to UK makes it quite espensive to justify. I did get excited that GB stood for Great Britain, but alas it did not!

[DaveM]

Thanks DEcosse

I would buy one if I was a better mechanic.

[ThomasM]

Very Nice - Thanks!

[champ87]

My Motomfg stand was delivered yesterday. When I took my dogs for their evening walk they seemed confused as to why we were going so fast but I was keen to get back to begin assembly and try it out. After putting it together and trying it out my initial impressions of this stand are good. It’s a well-made piece of equipment that does what I want it to.

Assembly Notes

Assembly instructions are adequate. One sheet is a generic guide for all bikes and a second sheet provides information specific to the Sprint ST. The information is quite sparse but the steps become self-evident when you begin assembly so more detail is not necessary.

Lifting a Sprint is achieved with two lifting pins. One slides into the swingarm pivot, the other into a bushing fixed to the rear engine mount bolt. Owners of ABS machines will need to remove the tank to access the nut on the engine mount bolt. For bikes without the ABS shield a 17mm ring spanner can be inserted from behind the engine then the bolt is loosened using a 16mm socket. I have ABS but without the shield so some extra caution was required to ensure the spanner didn’t get forced against the brake pipes. Important note: there is a washer at the head of the engine bolt. It should not be placed inside the lift bushing. If it is the upper pin will not go into the bushing far enough for the safety pin to be inserted. That washer should go in its original position against the frame. You will need a torque wrench to tighten the engine mounting bolt.

Basic assembly is easy but I found getting the adapter plate correctly positioned and adjusted to be a real PITA. At first attempt I set the plate so the pins would slide into place when the stand was offered up to the side of the bike. That resulted in a severe nose-down attitude when the bike was lifted. After numerous adjustments I was able to get the front wheel higher but then the pins wouldn’t align when the stand was offered against the side of the bike. It became obvious that the lifting handle had to be pushed down slightly to get the pins to align. I spent more than an hour repeating the process of holding the bike, flipping up the sidestand, offering up the stand, lifting the bike, checking position, dropping it back down, kicking down the sidestand, adjusting and trying again, and again, and again…. Eventually I got the bike to sit somewhere near level when it was lifted. It’s not quite there so I need to tweak the settings a little but I’d had enough last night so I’ll revisit when my patience is restored! The good thing is once I’ve got it just right I won’t need to do it again.

Comments

This Motomfg paddock stand/bike lift is a sturdy piece of equipment. Materials and fittings are substantial and the finish is good. If you ever decide to buy an old surplus tank from the army then you could possibly make an adapter to use this stand to lift the tank for track maintenance! OK, I’m joking but that’s the impression you get.

Two of the four casters have little levers on them. Just press on the lever with your foot to lock the swivel and brake the wheel. A neat touch.

Initially two hands are needed: one to hold the bike while you maneuver the stand into place with the other. Once the stand's in position with the safety pin in place lifting becomes a one-handed affair. When the bike is raised a locking pin clicks into place to hold it in the raised position. To lower the bike put a little bit of pressure on the lifting handle to release that locking pin then raise the handle.

Moving the bike around is very easy. The four casters give the stand the directional stability of a 500 lb shopping cart so don’t expect to hit your braking markers as you blaze a racing line around the garage. For its intended purpose it’s just fine and this stand is going to be a joy to use for maintenance – which is what I bought it for. You can spin the bike on the spot so this is the tool for maneuvering a bike into a tight space.

Gripes

As mentioned earlier a black bushing (supplied with the stand) is fitted to a rear engine mount bolt. It’s not the prettiest piece of metal and sort of looks as if it was left there by accident. It looks a lot like crash bung/frame slider and you won’t see those in a beauty contest. It does project out a little but sitting on the bike it didn’t interfere with my leg so I'm not expecting any problems riding with it in place.

With the bike lifted it does list slightly to the right (when viewed from behind). It’s definitely not going to fall off or tip over but it is a bit unnerving and not something I expected.

This is not really a gripe but an observation for anyone planning to use the stand for more than one bike. Changing components for another bike is not going to be a quick and easy swap. Maybe that’s unfair criticism because many paddock stands are bike specific but at $400+ I definitely wouldn’t be buying more than one of these. Of course components may be available to convert it for use on another bike but don’t expect to be switching quickly from one to another unless you happen to own another same model Sprint.

[DEcosse]

Great report Champ! Very objective.

On a couple of points, perhaps suggestions:

Originally Posted by champ87

... With the bike lifted it does list slightly to the right (when viewed from behind). It’s definitely not going to fall off or tip over but it is a bit unnerving and not something I expected.

To that end: sounds like bottom needs to be further over (i.e. away from the stand) - could that be helped by addition of a washer between the bottom pin and the plate? (or ultimately perhaps a dimensional change to the offset length of the pin away from the plate)

... This is not really a gripe but an observation for anyone planning to use the stand for more than one bike. Changing components for another bike is not going to be a quick and easy swap. Maybe that’s unfair criticism because many paddock stands are bike specific but at $400+ I definitely wouldn’t be buying more than one of these. Of course components may be available to convert it for use on another bike but don’t expect to be switching quickly from one to another unless you happen to own another same model Sprint.

I thought similarly after setting mine up initially, and when one of participants in the GB bought a kit with two adapters.
I would say if you really want to swap between bikes however, if the one swivel fixture for the horizontal adjuster was locked down (that would be the one fixed to the adapter plate as opposed to the one on the stand, which would have to be removed), that should fix the angle such that the main clamp bolt would only be in one possible location in the slot.
Also, if mine in that particular situation, I would consider adding a second custom-position bolt through the adapter plate to one of the other mounting holes once I was satisfied I truly had the optimum position for each adapter/bike. This is not necessary for single bike use of course.

[elevens]

Sounds nice and thanks Champ for taking the time to post a very thorough review.

But...


You knew this was coming lol