What pin sizes do I need for steering stem lift and SSSA stand?

I've poked around but haven't been able to find anything but contradiction. I'd like to get a front steering stem lift and SSSA stand but my bike is still in storage and snowed in so I can't take my own measurement. Any help is always appreciated.

 

If you're planning on buying new, most stand makers will have a drop down list option for the pin size on their website. I can take a measurement of my PitBull SSSA stand for that but I do not have a steering stem front stand to measure for you.

 

Pit Bull, for example said "standard pin + #1 adapter" as their size for the VFR750/800.

I'm in no particular rush for any measurement so please don't knock yourself out...cheers!

 

I just measured my PitBull and the steering stem pin measures .890" give or take a couple thou. That is the standard pin plus the adapter, which is a sleeve that fits over the outside of the standard pin, for a total of .890".

Dunno about the SSA stand.

 

As far as the PB stand, unless you're planning on making your own stand patterned after it, wouldn't just getting the "standard pin + #1 adapter" work for you? I bought my PB SSSA stand used and it came with the pins for Ducati, I just ordered the pin for the VFR and all was good. As far as SSSA swing arm, I've seen a few riders use a standard swingarm stand and use a rod or pipe and pass that through the wheel hub, it wouldn't allow you to remove the rear wheel but would work if just needing to lift the back of the bike. I was planning on doing this with the standard swingarm stand I have but found the PB SSSA in the classifieds of a local forum for $60 so I grabbed it knowing I could just swap out the pin. All total, $90 for stand and VFR pin.

 

In the immortal lyrics of Bon Jovi...."Woah, we're half way there..Woah, livin' on a prayer"

Thanks!

 

I don't have many options for purchasing new and or shipping these kind of things cheaply up here. I did find a Royal Distributing here in Ontario has both an SSSA stand and a steering stem stand but offer no pin options other than what comes with the units so I wanted to make sure if they'd work. Not sure if other brands' pins would fit. I may just get the steering stem stand anyway as it's about $70 and perhaps I could get a pin machined locally.

.890" is 22.6mm holy!

 

Well according to my Harbor Freight caliper, the diameter of the pin is ~28.45mm, the length of the pin is ~63.60mm I hope this helps you. Good luck with your search.

 

I hadn't considered the length of the pin. I'll measure it tomorrow and post back with the length.

 

Well looks like contrary to popular belief, size does matter.

 

Yeah, but is it the girth or the length that is most important?

 

Like I tell the ladies...it's application-specific!

 

I've a "Constands" steering head stand for my 5th Gen. (I measured the internal diameter of the head and it was 24mm). It came with a 24 mm pin which fits snugly. The pins are interchangable and I can post a pic of the pin this weekend if you're interested? I think it would be pretty easy to knock one up if you know someone with a lathe.

 

Very interested! That's what I was thinking...I found an inexpensive stand and If I could just get someone to machine a pin it'd be in business!! Thanks!

 

Will do. I'll take some pics with dimensions this weekend. Just to check - it's for a 5th Gen right?

 

Yes sir!!

 

Some pics below. The cylinder which fits into the bottom of the steering head is 24.1mm diameter and 22.6mm long. there is a slight chamfer on the head to allow it to insert more easily. The remainder of the dimensions are specific to the design of the stand.
The cylinder fits snugly in to the steering head and the weight of the head is then taken on the frame of the stand (and especially the black plastic cover which slides over the end of the arm). I know in some stands the pin is wider at the base so the pin takes the weight. If you wanted to do that, I'd make the pin a lot wider at the base since the steering head hole has a rounded rather than flat edge and you risk it getting jammed. Hope this helps.





PS. It's also worth taking the horn off before using this design of stand. One bolt to remove (and a couple wires) but avoids scratching the arm. You can see the mark on first pic! :grey:

 

That is a little different than the Pitbull stand pin. The Pitbull stand pin has the same general shape, but the pin goes up into the steering stem nearly 2 inches. It isn't a snug fit in the steering stem.