So I’m standing there staring at my bike last Saturday morning, right? Noticed this nasty wobble in the rear wheel. My old bones don’t exactly enjoy crawling around on concrete anymore, and trying to balance that beast while poking at it was asking for trouble. That’s when I remembered that motorcycle stand gathering dust in the corner of my garage.
Getting that thing out was a mission
Had to shove past the lawnmower and a stack of old tires just to grab it. Thing felt heavier than I remembered – must be solid steel construction. Hauled it over beside the bike, still doubting if this rusty metal contraption would actually hold up my 400-pound machine.
Here’s how it actually went down
Started by kicking down the stand’s legs until they locked solid. Then I lined up the lifting prongs exactly under the bike’s swingarm pivot points – took three tries to get it centered right. Took a deep breath and started cranking the handle slowly…
That clicking sound had me nervous as hell at first. But inch by inch, the rear tire lifted clean off the ground! Felt like some kind of garage wizard when the whole back end just floated there, totally stable. Didn’t wobble one bit.
Now for the fun part:
- Pulled out my socket wrench to loosen the axle nut easily since the wheel was spinning free
- Spotted the problem immediately – loose spokes causing the wobble
- Tightened them up with zero awkward bending or dropping tools
- Even had room to scrub chain grease off without dripping it on my driveway
Finishing up taught me something
Lowering it was way scarier than lifting. Cranked the handle the other direction slow and steady, holding my breath until the tire kissed pavement again. Took all of 20 minutes total for a job that normally leaves me sore for days.
Bottom line? That dumb stand I almost sold at last year’s garage sale just saved my back and my weekend. Bike’s riding straight as an arrow now. Forgot how satisfying it is to fix your own ride without calling some shop and paying half your paycheck.
