Easy & convenient swingarm lift stand! We recommend the UNIT UN-C5025

What is a Swingarm Lift Stand?

Source: https://www.autoby.jp/_ct/17134991

A swingarm lift stand is a simple stand that supports the swingarm (the part connecting the rear wheel to the frame, also called the rear arm).
Using it allows you to lift the rear wheel, making maintenance around the rear wheel, such as cleaning the wheel and lubricating the motorcycle chain, much easier.
Since it supports the swingarm, it is not suitable for removing the rear wheel.
Also, an increasing number of recent motorcycle models do not have a center stand due to cost reduction and weight reduction, making rear wheel maintenance more difficult. Having a swingarm lift stand can be convenient as a substitute for a center stand.

Recommended Benefits of Using a Swingarm Lift Stand

Source: https://www.autoby.jp/_ct/17134991

With newer motorcycle models, the number of vehicles equipped with center stands is decreasing.
By using a swingarm lift stand, it can serve as a substitute for a center stand, making the following tasks easier:
・Wheel and chain cleaning and lubrication
・Inspection and maintenance
・Preventing motorcycle falls during strong winds and typhoons
・Tire inspection (e.g., puncture check)
Let's look at these in order.

Wheel and Chain Cleaning and Lubrication

A swingarm lift stand allows you to lift the rear wheel, making wheel cleaning and chain lubrication easier.
Lubricating the chain is easy when you can rotate the rear wheel, but caution is required. Some people lubricate the chain by starting the engine, putting it in first gear, and letting the rear wheel spin by inertia, but there are countless accidents where hands or gloves get caught in the chain or sprocket, leading to injuries.
Even if it's bothersome, it's safer to lubricate the chain by manually and slowly rotating the rear wheel with the engine off. Don't skimp on the effort, as a lifelong injury incurred due to carelessness would be a huge loss. So, when lubricating the chain, proceed manually with the utmost caution.

Inspection and Maintenance

By using a swingarm lift stand to lift the rear wheel, inspection and maintenance around the rear wheel become easier.
It simplifies tasks such as checking the tire and wheel for grooves and damage, and inspecting the chain.

Measures to Prevent Motorcycle Falls During Strong Winds and Typhoons

During strong winds such as typhoons, a motorcycle is unstable if it's only on its side stand because it's tilted.
Using a swingarm lift stand adds more points of support for the vehicle body, increasing stability and preventing falls.
If your motorcycle has a center stand, it provides more stability, so you should use the center stand.

Tire Inspection (e.g., Puncture Check)

A swingarm lift stand allows the rear wheel to rotate freely, making it easy to check for tire wear and punctures.

How to Use a Swingarm Lift Stand

Source: https://www.dirtfreak.co.jp/moto/products/unit/merchandise.php?mode=7&id=stand/c5025

A swingarm lift stand uses the principle of leverage to lift the swingarm.
It features non-slip rubber on the parts that contact the swingarm, making it easy for even a single person to lift the bike.
Follow these steps to use it:
1. Lock the front brake or chock the front wheel.
2. Place the stand's receiving end under the swingarm.
3. Push the lever downward to complete the lift.
Let's look at each step and its precautions.

1. Lock the front brake or chock the front wheel

Before using the swingarm lift stand, ensure the front wheel cannot move.
When lifting the motorcycle with the swingarm lift stand, the motorcycle may move back and forth due to the momentum of the rear wheel lifting.
To prevent the motorcycle from moving, secure the front wheel. Using a "front brake lock" to secure the front brake is a good idea.
A front brake lock is an item that holds the brake lever in a squeezed position by attaching a resin body between the handlebar and the brake. Since the brake is applied, it prevents the vehicle body from moving back and forth during lifting, allowing for safe work.
If you don't use a front brake lock, use chocks or other means to prevent the vehicle body from moving back and forth.
Failing to follow this step could, in the worst case, lead to the vehicle moving during lifting and falling over.

2. Place the stand's receiving end under the swingarm

Place the receiving end of the swingarm lift stand under the swingarm.
The stand is used on the swingarm opposite the kickstand. If the kickstand is on the left side, attach the lift stand to the right swingarm.
The length of the lift stand can be adjusted, so adjust it to fit your motorcycle before use.
Also, each lift stand has a specified load capacity (the maximum weight it can withstand), so before use, check the lift stand's load capacity and your motorcycle's weight.
When purchasing a lift stand, make sure it can support the weight of your motorcycle.

3. Push the lever downward to complete the lift

Once the swingarm lift stand is placed under the swingarm opposite the kickstand, push the lever downward.
This will engage the principle of leverage, lifting the swingarm and completing the lift.
Even those who are not confident in their strength can easily lift it.

Precautions for Using a Swingarm Lift Stand If the floor where the swingarm lift stand is placed is slippery, the lift stand itself may slide when lifting.
Make sure to use it on a non-slip floor. When using it on painted floors, such as the green floors often seen in repair shops, it can be slippery, so caution is required.

Can You Make Your Own Lift Stand?

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/images/search/diy/

Some people might opt for DIY to save money.
While some people do make their own swingarm lift stands, commercially available products are designed specifically for lifting, offering greater stability compared to DIY stands made from assorted materials.
Commercially available swingarm lift stands undergo extensive testing on various motorcycle models before they are released to ensure safety.
While DIY might be an option, a commercially available lift stand that has been thoroughly tested and sold is less likely to cause accidents such as the vehicle falling over.
If you skimp on costs and the vehicle falls, incurring repair expenses, it will end up being more expensive than the difference you saved.

Caution is also required when choosing commercially available products

Today, imported goods are easily accessible, and some imported products are cheap but of poor quality and low durability, so it's essential to discern when purchasing commercially available products.
Customer reviews and popularity can be helpful in evaluating products. Products with many reviews indicate that many people use them and that they are popular.
Among the many commercially available swingarm lift stands, the UNIT UN-C5025 is highly recommended for its excellent user ratings.

UNIT (Unit) UN-C5025 is highly recommended with excellent user ratings.

Source: https://www.dirtfreak.co.jp/moto/products/unit/merchandise.php?mode=7&id=stand/c5025

A swingarm lift stand that makes it easy to lift the swingarm, convenient for chain lubrication and rear wheel maintenance.
The "UNIT UN-C5025 Swingarm Lift Stand" is highly recommended due to its widespread use and excellent user ratings.

What kind of stand is the UNIT UN-C5025?

The UNIT UN-C5025 is a swingarm lift stand that can be purchased for around 3,000 yen and can be stored compactly when not in use.
UNIT is a brand name for motorcycle parts, planned and sold by Dirt Freak Inc., headquartered in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture.
Dirt Freak is a Japanese company with a broad business scope, including selling motorcycle parts and acting as an agent, planning, and selling bicycle parts.
Dirt Freak Inc. Official Website

4 Reasons to Recommend the UNIT UN-C5025

The UNIT UN-C5025 we recommend has four key features.

Source: https://www.dirtfreak.co.jp/moto/products/unit/merchandise.php?mode=7&id=stand/c5025

The swingarm lift stand "UNIT UN-C5025" is recommended for the following four reasons:
1. Stepless adjustment allows use with many motorcycle models.
2. Load capacity: 250kg, compatible with motorcycles from small to large.
3. Compact for storage when not in use.
4. Affordable price starting at 3,000 yen.
The distance between the ground and the swingarm varies by motorcycle, but the UNIT UN-C5025 can be adjusted steplessly, making it usable with various models.
With a load capacity of 250kg, it supports a wide range of motorcycles from small to large. When not in use, it folds compactly, saving storage space.
Priced around 3,000 yen, it's also a budget-friendly swingarm lift stand. Having one makes chain maintenance, tire condition checks, and wheel cleaning significantly easier.

UNIT UN-C5025 Specifications

UNIT UN-C5025 User Reviews

Here are some reviews from users who have actually used the UNIT UN-C5025.

"I bought this for chain maintenance. It made maintenance so much easier, so I'm glad I bought it."
Source: Bike Man Rakuten Shop

It seems they purchased it for chain maintenance. They were able to perform chain maintenance easily, so it seems their objective was successfully achieved.

"It's extremely convenient for lifting the rear of a motorcycle that doesn't have a center stand. If the angle is too shallow, on clean floors or floors with oil stains, it can gradually slide, causing the tire to touch the ground. You must find a position where the rubber feet won't slip. And don't forget to lock the front tire."
Source: NAPS

The reviewer provides important usage tips. They mention that if the lift angle is too shallow, the vehicle body might slide on certain floor types, causing the rear tire to touch the ground. Therefore, they recommend working in a position where the non-slip rubber feet won't slide. Additionally, they emphasize the need to lock the front tire.

"It becomes very compact. Maintenance is easier than with roller-type stands that you ride the tire onto."
Source: Bike Man Rakuten Shop

It has been mentioned that it stores compactly. Also, the review states that it is easier to use than roller-type stands.

"I bought this for chain maintenance.
I considered a roller stand, but I thought it might be difficult to rotate the tire or stressful during maintenance if the stand and tire weren't perfectly vertical, or if there was resistance from the tire touching the ground, so I chose this one.
The only effort required is adjusting the length (height) initially, and it's not needed thereafter.
Since it uses the principle of leverage, it lifts easily, and the tire rotates freely without resistance, making maintenance very easy.
As a precaution, since it lifts by hooking onto the swingarm, it's necessary to check if it interferes with the exhaust on some bikes.
Personally, I'm very satisfied."
Source: NAPS

As mentioned by the previous person, they chose the "UNIT UN-C5025" swingarm lift stand because it seemed easier to use than a roller stand. It appears to be convenient since it only requires adjusting the height once. As a precaution when using it, they advise checking whether the lift stand interferes with the muffler.
The UNIT UN-C5025 makes maintenance around the swingarm easier, but where can it be purchased?

Can the recommended UNIT UN-C5025 be purchased online?

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/drc-un-c5025

The "UNIT UN-C5025" swingarm lift stand can be purchased online from the following:
Bike Man Main Store: https://bikeman.jp/products/drc-un-c5025

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the UNIT UN-C5025 is ¥3,740 (tax included), and it is currently (as of the end of November 2020) being sold for ¥3,365 (tax included), which is a 10% discount.
As one customer review states, "It arrived quickly after ordering," so it's highly recommended for those who want it right away.
However, if the item is out of stock, shipping may take longer, so if you're in a hurry, please inquire about availability.