revtothelimit - motorbike forum

I've just ordered one, since Malta just got a dealer.

I've gone for a superbike stand, front lifter so I can do headset bearings, the bike specific kits for my CBR 250 which wants neck bearings and I want to service the linkage and my mate's vfr800x which wants the eccentric adjuster serviced, plus a swingarm removal adapter.

Now to my question: do you actually need a bike specific adapter kit, if you have this adapter?

https://www.abbastands.co.uk/product-de ... kit&pid=21
It seems universal for most bikes, excluding the odd few where the foot peg bracket is what holds the bike together, but even then there's usually an M8 thread somewhere in that area.

Shouldn't do, but I wouldn't want to support a VFR800 on two M8 bolts

That is true.
But if it's supposedly strong enough to lift it for removing the swingarm, what isn't it strong enough for?

Hmm - interesting. I have an ABBA stand - and have various different adaptors. Once you have a few sets you can use it on most bikes
Other that a Triumph Scrambler 1200 that is too tall !

I used the footpeg mounts when using the Skylift to remove the swinger on my Zed. No dramas. Abba are a good outfit,they listen to and act upon customer feedback. A very rare thing indeed.

Using my measurements they even cobbled together a way of using the Skylift on my H1,so even old bikes can be made to work.

Before spending on adaptors, try some sockets. Worked for me in the past

Footpeg mounts/adaptors are either M8, M10 or M12, so can be used across a large number of bikes. I used them on the Falco recently to remove and grease all the swingarm bearings.

Unless it's something like an old Harley or Brit iron, of course.

crust wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 4:48 pm Before spending on adaptors, try some sockets. Worked for me in the past

Having invested around 260€ for the stand and front lifter doodad, I reckon saving the 27€ each per adapter kit wuld be a false economy if it put throwing the bike on the floor, on the table.

mangocrazy wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 5:51 pm Footpeg mounts/adaptors are either M8, M10 or M12, so can be used across a large number of bikes. I used them on the Falco recently to remove and grease all the swingarm bearings.

Unless it's something like an old Harley or Brit iron, of course.

That's the plan for the CBR. I reckon it's hanging around, so at 13ish years old, a bit of fresh grease seems to be a good idea

Mr Moofo wrote: Thu Apr 10, 2025 9:59 pm Other that a Triumph Scrambler 1200 that is too tall !

Wonder if there's an M8 threaded hole lower down , that you could use?

I will have a look as doing bike things tomorrow

A_morti wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 5:53 pm

crust wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 4:48 pm Before spending on adaptors, try some sockets. Worked for me in the past

Having invested around 260€ for the stand and front lifter doodad, I reckon saving the 27€ each per adapter kit wuld be a false economy if it put throwing the bike on the floor, on the table.

Meh, your choice. Done it on multiple bikes, never dropped one yet.

crust wrote: Sat Apr 12, 2025 12:44 pm

A_morti wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 5:53 pm

crust wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 4:48 pm Before spending on adaptors, try some sockets. Worked for me in the past

Having invested around 260€ for the stand and front lifter doodad, I reckon saving the 27€ each per adapter kit wuld be a false economy if it put throwing the bike on the floor, on the table.

Meh, your choice. Done it on multiple bikes, never dropped one yet.

Have you ever sat on the bike while it's up in the air?
That'll be a proper test




[* runs and hides behind the sofa *]

This video from abba answers the question about whether the swingarm kit completely replaces the bike specific kit:


TL;DR they don't recommend using the swingarm kit together with the front end lifting device. Seems they reckon M8 threads can be trusted to lift half a bike's weight, but not all of it, which seems fair.

Still waiting for @v8-powered to come pick up they one I've got here....

Rockburner wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 10:01 am Still waiting for @v8-powered to come pick up they one I've got here....

Honestly we've been nowhere near the south coast for ages - middle child has turned fiercely independent and insists on travelling home from uni on the train.
No doubt we'll be down there at the end of his next semester but even then there is a chance his dad will collect him.