Black Widow Motorcycle Race Stand

I bought a Black Widow Motorcycle Stand to use to lift the front of my 1995 VFR (see link). I'm still trying to figure out what's going to happen when I try to lift the front end. What bothers me is that the top part of this stand swivels 180 degrees. What keeps it from falling forward (or back for that matter). When I wedge it in there, what should end up on the floor is up against the front of my front tire. I guess I have to push down on it and somehow the bike will come forward and what I'm pushing down will go underneath the front wheel. The top part with the pin is doing some kind of balancing act (as it does swivel as I mentioned earlier).

Anybody got one of these stands or can give me some advice? Want a better idea before I try this thing not knowing what it's going to do. One would think I would have done that before I bought it. :biggrin:

Link: http://www.discountr...-race-stand.htm

Chuck

Chuckster, on 07 May 2011 - 08:33 PM, said: I bought a Black Widow Motorcycle Stand to use to lift the front of my 1995 VFR (see link). I'm still trying to figure out what's going to happen when I try to lift the front end. What bothers me is that the top part of this stand swivels 180 degrees. What keeps it from falling forward (or back for that matter). When I wedge it in there, what should end up on the floor is up against the front of my front tire. I guess I have to push down on it and somehow the bike will come forward and what I'm pushing down will go underneath the front wheel. The top part with the pin is doing some kind of balancing act (as it does swivel as I mentioned earlier). Anybody got one of these stands or can give me some advice? Want a better idea before I try this thing not knowing what it's going to do. One would think I would have done that before I bought it. Link: http://www.discountr...-race-stand.htm Chuck Chuck, Funny you should post this because I just got my Black Widow in the mail last Wednesday for my VF1000R. I was a bit worried also because the top side (with the pin) just flops around with out weight on it. It' works great though. Just fold it and roll the upper half in between the fairing and the fender (careful not to scratch the fender). Angle the pin into the bottom triple hole. Once the pin is in just keep it centered with the bike and press the handle to the ground. She comes right up very easily and the weight of the bike has the stand stay straight up. If you'd like I can take pics. There is also a video here that show's exactly how to do it. Probably better than all the stuff I just typed. The video is of a different brand but the stand is exactly like the Black Widow I have.

Don't use it as they show in the picture. You have to have the bike on a rear stand. You could use the center stand if you have one, but a rear stand is much better. The rear tire hits the ground before the bike is up on the front stand if I am using the center stand, so a dedicated rear stand would prevent that.

smackdoogle, on 08 May 2011 - 07:50 AM, said: Chuckster, on 07 May 2011 - 08:33 PM, said: I bought a Black Widow Motorcycle Stand to use to lift the front of my 1995 VFR (see link). I'm still trying to figure out what's going to happen when I try to lift the front end. What bothers me is that the top part of this stand swivels 180 degrees. What keeps it from falling forward (or back for that matter). When I wedge it in there, what should end up on the floor is up against the front of my front tire. I guess I have to push down on it and somehow the bike will come forward and what I'm pushing down will go underneath the front wheel. The top part with the pin is doing some kind of balancing act (as it does swivel as I mentioned earlier). Anybody got one of these stands or can give me some advice? Want a better idea before I try this thing not knowing what it's going to do. One would think I would have done that before I bought it. Link: http://www.discountr...-race-stand.htm Chuck Chuck, Funny you should post this because I just got my Black Widow in the mail last Wednesday for my VF1000R. I was a bit worried also because the top side (with the pin) just flops around with out weight on it. It' works great though. Just fold it and roll the upper half in between the fairing and the fender (careful not to scratch the fender). Angle the pin into the bottom triple hole. Once the pin is in just keep it centered with the bike and press the handle to the ground. She comes right up very easily and the weight of the bike has the stand stay straight up. If you'd like I can take pics. There is also a video here that show's exactly how to do it. Probably better than all the stuff I just typed. The video is of a different brand but the stand is exactly like the Black Widow I have. Super, that's exactly what I needed! I think I'll have someone hold the bike upright while I do it especially at first. I'll give it a try this afternoon. Thanks again! Chuck

[image: View Post]wera803, on 08 May 2011 - 07:50 AM, said:

Don't use it as they show in the picture. You have to have the bike on a rear stand. You could use the center stand if you have one, but a rear stand is much better. The rear tire hits the ground before the bike is up on the front stand if I am using the center stand, so a dedicated rear stand would prevent that.


Thanks. I don't have a rear stand as of now but do have a centerstand. i was worried about the centerstand folding up when the bike comes forward on the front stand. I think I'll just have someone hold the bike upright and it should work fine. I would like to get a rear stand too though. Thanks again,

Chuck

[image: View Post]Chuckster, on 08 May 2011 - 08:16 AM, said:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 08 May 2011 - 07:50 AM, said:

Don't use it as they show in the picture. You have to have the bike on a rear stand. You could use the center stand if you have one, but a rear stand is much better. The rear tire hits the ground before the bike is up on the front stand if I am using the center stand, so a dedicated rear stand would prevent that.


Thanks. I don't have a rear stand as of now but do have a centerstand. i was worried about the centerstand folding up when the bike comes forward on the front stand. I think I'll just have someone hold the bike upright and it should work fine. I would like to get a rear stand too though. Thanks again,

Chuck


Keep a close eye on 3 points:

- the rear tire(pretty sure you'll need to remove the wheel if you don't have a rear stand!)
- the front fender(bottom of bar may touch it/put pressure & scratch/crack it)
- the underside of the front fairing ( the top of the bar may touch it/put pressure on it)

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 08 May 2011 - 08:27 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Chuckster, on 08 May 2011 - 08:16 AM, said:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 08 May 2011 - 07:50 AM, said:

Don't use it as they show in the picture. You have to have the bike on a rear stand. You could use the center stand if you have one, but a rear stand is much better. The rear tire hits the ground before the bike is up on the front stand if I am using the center stand, so a dedicated rear stand would prevent that.


Thanks. I don't have a rear stand as of now but do have a centerstand. i was worried about the centerstand folding up when the bike comes forward on the front stand. I think I'll just have someone hold the bike upright and it should work fine. I would like to get a rear stand too though. Thanks again,

Chuck


Keep a close eye on 3 points:

- the rear tire(pretty sure you'll need to remove the wheel if you don't have a rear stand!)
- the front fender(bottom of bar may touch it/put pressure & scratch/crack it)
- the underside of the front fairing ( the top of the bar may touch it/put pressure on it)


Yep, forgot to add, you should always have the rear up on a stand first before using the front stand. The Black Widow puts a lil bit of pressure on the bottom of my front fairing but not enough to damage/crack it. be careful with someone holding the bike up. VFR's aren't known to be light.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 08 May 2011 - 08:27 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Chuckster, on 08 May 2011 - 08:16 AM, said:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 08 May 2011 - 07:50 AM, said:

Don't use it as they show in the picture. You have to have the bike on a rear stand. You could use the center stand if you have one, but a rear stand is much better. The rear tire hits the ground before the bike is up on the front stand if I am using the center stand, so a dedicated rear stand would prevent that.


Thanks. I don't have a rear stand as of now but do have a centerstand. i was worried about the centerstand folding up when the bike comes forward on the front stand. I think I'll just have someone hold the bike upright and it should work fine. I would like to get a rear stand too though. Thanks again,

Chuck


Keep a close eye on 3 points:

- the rear tire(pretty sure you'll need to remove the wheel if you don't have a rear stand!)
- the front fender(bottom of bar may touch it/put pressure & scratch/crack it)
- the underside of the front fairing ( the top of the bar may touch it/put pressure on it)


Good grief! Are you kidding me? Take the rear wheel off? The only other stand I have is the center stand. Should I have it up on the center stand to do this? I understand the concern with the fairing and the fender. Unfortunately, I don't know where it's going to put pressure unless I try the thing. Then, I may wish I hadn't. I already wish I had just gotten the stand that lifts from the bottom of the forks. But I thought for $10 more this was a more useful stand. I don't know what to do now. I don't want to risk damaging something.

[image: View Post]Chuckster, on 08 May 2011 - 08:28 PM, said:

Good grief! Are you kidding me? Take the rear wheel off? The only other stand I have is the center stand. Should I have it up on the center stand to do this? I understand the concern with the fairing and the fender. Unfortunately, I don't know where it's going to put pressure unless I try the thing. Then, I may wish I hadn't. I already wish I had just gotten the stand that lifts from the bottom of the forks. But I thought for $10 more this was a more useful stand. I don't know what to do now. I don't want to risk damaging something.


It may sound worse than it is. My experience is with a Vortex brand stand, yours may be different. Just giving you some things to look for, just in case.

You can lift the bike slowly and keep an eye on those points, and back off at any time! I sometimes cover the fender and bar with microfiber towels to keep the bar from rubbing on the paint.

Definitely watch the rear wheel, you don't want to figure that one out the hard way.

One more thing... there is a good reason for having to remove the rear wheel. This stand lifts the front of the bike high enough so that you can pull the forks for service. If you don't plan to do that kind of work, then yes, the "normal" stand would have been a more convenient choice for you.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 08 May 2011 - 08:38 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Chuckster, on 08 May 2011 - 08:28 PM, said:

Good grief! Are you kidding me? Take the rear wheel off? The only other stand I have is the center stand. Should I have it up on the center stand to do this? I understand the concern with the fairing and the fender. Unfortunately, I don't know where it's going to put pressure unless I try the thing. Then, I may wish I hadn't. I already wish I had just gotten the stand that lifts from the bottom of the forks. But I thought for $10 more this was a more useful stand. I don't know what to do now. I don't want to risk damaging something.


It may sound worse than it is. My experience is with a Vortex brand stand, yours may be different. Just giving you some things to look for, just in case.

You can lift the bike slowly and keep an eye on those points, and back off at any time! I sometimes cover the fender and bar with microfiber towels to keep the bar from rubbing on the paint.

Definitely watch the rear wheel, you don't want to figure that one out the hard way.

One more thing... there is a good reason for having to remove the rear wheel. This stand lifts the front of the bike high enough so that you can pull the forks for service. If you don't plan to do that kind of work, then yes, the "normal" stand would have been a more convenient choice for you.


Thanks Seb, I really appreciate all the advice. So you think if I remove the rear wheel, it should work with the center stand assuming I don't have any issues with the fender or fairing?

[image: View Post]Chuckster, on 08 May 2011 - 08:44 PM, said:

Thanks Seb, I really appreciate all the advice. So you think if I remove the rear wheel, it should work with the center stand assuming I don't have any issues with the fender or fairing?


Absolutely. You gain another 5" or so of pivoting motion by removing the rear wheel. The weight of the bike will keep the centerstand down, just go slow the first couple times to get a feel for it. The stand needs to roll away from you and under the bike as you push it down, you don't want the bike to move forward towards you.

Just an FYI - I have the same front stand. I have pins to use it with both my VFR & my track bike.

I also bought a T-Rex stand for the rear of the VFR with pins for the VFR as well as the SSSA on my Ducati 1198.

The T-Rex stands are fairly inexpensive and I like the quality better than my pitbulls.

I bought the stands after christmas for use with the No-Mar tire changer my family gave me for Christmas.

The only thing I do not like about the front pin stand is that it does not lift the front end quite as much as the other front stand I have does. It is also a black widow stand. I call it a nubbin stand as it has 2 little proings that stick up and go into the holse as the bottom of the forks.

When I remove the wheel using the front pin stand I have to let the air out, or play with it a little to get it out from under the fender. not a big deal, just not as convenient.

That said, being able to pull the forks off while using the pin stand is AWESOME:-)

Looks like there's a good chance it's going to put some pressure and maybe even damage my oil cooler as I go to lift it. Not sure I want to risk that. I may be ordering the one that goes under my forks. :pissed: