Hi all, this is my first post and surely not the last! Just thought i'd share with you all my idea for a cheap and easy to make prop stand for thee old Yam XTZ tenere.

The main reason i did this was to sort out some way of jacking up the front wheel of the bike for wheel removal. Annoyingly (or as far as i'm aware) no one in the UK or at least europe do a stand for this exact job on this "specific" bike. I might be wrong so please shout if i am. I know in the US there is one going around but i'd rather not pay extortionate import fees to HRM! So this is my first attempt at a cheap solution which is compact enough for the trail.

The Design

NOTE: this mod is only intended for XTZ 660 models with engine bars fitted (you'll see why in the pics); and also whilst the bike is on the centre stand. the bike should be on flat, level ground which is suitably hard for the stand. I may or may not try and make a new version for use off the centre stand in conjunction with the side stand in order to prop the front and rear wheel for situations when the centre stand cannot be deployed. if there is enough interest i may take the time to do this and upload.

I got inspiration from another forum (i can't remember where) where someone used some old crutches and modded them to support their bike. with this inspiration i got myself some old crutches and got to work.



Its simple and easy to make, all you need is a standard elbow crutch, a 40mm (minimum) M6 bolt with a pair of washers and a nut, a conveniently shaped bicycle cable lock bracket (see below) and a suitable saw.

The bracket is the one thing which might be a problem for people. it was just by freak chance that i had these unused cable lock brackets which are meant to fit your bicycle lock to your bicycle seat post. they are the perfect shape and size for this application, the only thing they needed was bending into the shape you see below.


This bracket comes from an ABUS Primo 580 CABLE LOCK. i bought this lock in Switzerland about 2 years ago so i'm not sure if you can even get spares. obviously this element needs to be changed for something a bit more "available". if anyone has any ideas of a suitable replacement let us know. i only have one more of these brackets left.

Why crutches?

They use lightweight and strong aluminium tubing which is also easy to cut. They can also be used to extend tools like axel wrenches when you need the extra leverage. Another point to consider is that the NHS do not redistribute returned crutches (probably due to some health and safety malarkey) which means they either get scrapped or more likely recycled. i was therefore not too guilty when i took a blade to these :-).

Are they strong enough you say?


Original crutches


Weight limit indicated as 127kg. i have a feeling this weight limit is a result of the crutch handle being the weakest link as it will undoubtedly take a significant bending load.


Quick test to check how much of the 200 kgs of tenere is transmitted through ye old stand!


Just shy of 50kg. Verdict: weight not a problem, stand more than sufficient.

How much does it weigh?





In action



So here it is in action, just lifting the front wheel by an inch or two. i checked the stability by giving it a fairly strong rocking side to side; i can confirm that it is pretty well stable. That said i will only apply high torque on axel nuts with the wheel firmly on the ground (before jacking it up) to be safe.


Another perspective



A close up of the stand bracket and the engine bar. The bracket hooks nicely between the engine bar and the bash guard which means when you lean the back end down to prop the bike, the stand will pivot and fall into place, inline to take up the load. To release the jack all you need to do is lean the bike back on the centre stand to un-weight the prop and the use your leg to kick it away.


Largest extension of 51cm from contact of the bracket to the rubber foot.


Shortest extension of 35.5cm from contact of the bracket to the rubber foot. the inner leg is limited to the third indexing hole due to the presence of the M6 through-bolt.


Shortest pack length if you take off the rubber foot and bracket is 30cm.


if you leave the bracket and foot on the shortest pack length is 39cm.

In terms of carrying it on the road, i was just messing around and noticed that it fits perfectly between the frame and the right-hand-side airbox cover, all you need to do is cable tie it in place and bob's your uncle. or just put it in a bag somewhere. all burs are removed so shouldn't rip any soft bags.

I have already used this to remove my front wheel and it proved to be stable and strong enough. i will be taking this with me on an upcoming trip to Morocco so hopefully it will not be needed :-P .

Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Enjoy!

If that's your first post, I'm looking forward to the next!

Cracking job that . Love a bit of home engineering.

Welcome aboard!

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XT660Z

AltecH Wheels
Wheel building and refurbishment, UK wide
AltecH Designs
XT660 Radiator guards, sprocket guards, luggage racks, DNA air filter covers

Good idea, well executed. Go to the top of the class

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If I'm not working, I'll be

Has to be said mate. But I think you're bike has a hard on. Viagra in the oil?

thanks for the comments guys. Got back from Morocco last week and thankfully i didn't need to use the prop stand. it will now remain in a box until the next adventure....