About the Kern Stabi Lift

[fleabag]

Prior to yesterday, I used this lift once. Yesterday, I could not get the pin through the holes in the front section of the lift. The bike's weight during that first use bent the lift just enough so that the holes were not lined up. I had to take a hammer and pound the front of the lift so that the holes were aligned sufficiently to hammer the pin through. I do have all of the lift brace bars installed. I was able to use the lift, but mine at least seems to be at the edge of being able to handle the weight of the bike (R18B). I know others don’t have any problems, mine has been a little disappointing.

 

[RWF]

I’ve found that it helps if I reach under the bike and pick up the kickstand side wheel on the stabi while engaging the front on the mounting pin. Sometimes it gets in a bind. Not saying yours didn’t bend, just my experience.

 

[Star-Lord]

Are you using a single or two PINS.. I found using two PINs can be clunky; I have since reconfigured my setup to use a single PIN.

I'm surprised you're having issues; I have two X-518 stands for the Model B and the FE, which I use interchangeable across the two different R18 platforms.

Any pictures of the bent stand?

 

[fleabag]

Are you using a single or two PINS.. I found using two PINs can be clunky; I have since reconfigured my setup to use a single PIN.

I'm surprised you're having issues; I have two X-518 stands for the Model B and the FE, which I use interchangeable across the two different R18 platforms.

Any pictures of the bent stand?

I only have one pin. I’m talking about the long pin that goes through the front section of the lift. If I put the lift on the ground without the motorcycle, it slides right in. Add the bike and it flexes enough that I can’t slide the pin in. I didn’t take a picture of the alignment when I had the bike on the stand, but the with the bike on the stand, the pin only coverd half of the hole if that makes sense.

I’ve found that it helps if I reach under the bike and pick up the kickstand side wheel on the stabi while engaging the front on the mounting pin. Sometimes it gets in a bind. Not saying yours didn’t bend, just my experience.

I watched @Star-Lord YouTube video and his front pin just slid right in. That was my experiance when I used the lift for the first time. Looking at it yesterday, it looked like the lift was flexing just enough under the weight that the pin was off by about half the diameter of the hole. After a whack with the hammer, it was close enough that with a little persation, I could secure it. I can live with that, but it still seems like it is at the edge of its weight-bearing capabilities.

 

[Star-Lord]

I'm still trying to picture the problem, you should have some flexibility, where the rear eyelet of the X-518 hangs on the exhaust hanger?

Is the PIN bent in any way?

The downward force of the bike's weight actually rest on the two forward coupling standoffs and the engine sump pan, and the rear also comes to rest on the exhaust hangers. (The below picture illustrates the concept)

I can't understand how the X-518 is being stressed?

 

[fleabag]

@Star-Lord Here are some pictures. The lift is tweaked. I’m not sure how this could be user error, I mean you attach the lift and pull the handle. I may resort to hammering it out.

 

[Star-Lord]

You're lifting the rear tire first (correct)? You're not trying to lift the front tire first, with the front dolly while the bike is still on the kickstand..?

 

[RWF]

Got ya. I was thought you were talking about the engagement of the lift on to the pin that’s screwed into the engine. Are you sure if wasn’t bent from the factory? I don’t see how you could bend that if it was used on a level surface.

 

[fleabag]

You're lifting the rear tire first (correct)? You're not trying to lift the front tire first, with the front dolly while the bike is still on the kickstand..?

I only used it once to change tires with the bike on the lift—that’s the only reason I bought it. I do lift it from the rear first. It’s not a major issue; I should be able to fixi it, but it still looks to me like it could have been made a little stronger.

 

[Star-Lord]

It does seem to be a little underrated at first glance...

I haven't experienced any issues with the two stands, used across both bikes, which I use after each ride when returning to my garage; the stand allows me to inspect the oil sight glass, while the engine is at temperature .

I use the stand(s), which ever one is closer or not currently being used to clean my bikes and as well as performing any maintenance...

 

[R18BOXR]

Just wanted to mention I have had very good luck with this lift in combination with a front wheel chock to hold the bike level.

 

[BER18 100]

I started using one pin up front. When I added the 2nd front pin I found the stand would not release easily. I took the 2nd pin out up front and realized it would work better if I shaved the outer surface of the pin down a bit on a bench grinder.

 

[Star-Lord]

I'm simply back to using a single PIN.