I'm new to the world of no centre stand, so what is the best way of keeping the bike upright, for oil changes and chain tensioning etc?
Might as well make good use of the fact I am now being asked what I want for Christmas.

Fit a centre stand !!

I've used an axle stand to prop the bike up, so you have a side stand on one side, axle stand on the other... There is also a small fold-able stand that does the same thing, but I'm bu**er'd if I can remember the name of it...

Of course there are paddock stands & bike lifts galore out there. too.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

chain adjustment and oil changes all done on the side stand. you want the bike on the ground when doing the chain and have done all my oil changes on the side stand also that's what the books tell you to do.I must do 8 to 10 oil changes a year on all my bikes never would do an oil change on a center stand