F800GS Fork Stand

Here's The Problem:  You need to make a front tire repair, or you want to change the front tire...  so you put the bike on the centerstand. You remove the front wheel and the bike takes a kamikaze plunge toward earth. In a heartbeat the bike is down; hopefully you're not under it.

BMW put their centerstand too far aft, which makes the bike incredibly "front end heavy". Just try lifting the front wheel when the bike is on the centerstand and you'll see what we mean. This forward weight bias makes tire repair very difficult (if not impossible in the field). One solution is to stack blocking under the skidplate (use sticks, stones, a pannier, your riding buddy, or something handy), so the front wheel is off the ground. Another solution is to add dead weight to the rear of the bike (it requires over 150 pounds in our experience), so that the front wheel is unweighted. If you don't do something, the moment you remove the front wheel the bike falls on it's face. It nearly happened to us; we caught it just in time.

One theoretical solution is to use the side stand and lean the bike waaaayyyy over to the left, so the bike is teetering precariously on the side stand, with the left pannier resting on top of the right pannier (which was removed and placed under the left pannier). Great idea, but you'd better try it at home before you make formal plans to do it in the field. Theoretically speaking, it might work.  Practically speaking, file that concept in the Impractical Ideas Folder.  

In order for you to do any work on the F800GS front tire, the bike needs another point of support, something coming off the front forks. Only when the bike has a 3-point stance (front fork and two points of the centerstand) will it be stable enough and balanced enough to remove the front tire. Anything less and you're courting disaster.

Here's The Solution:   The BestRest ForkStand 



First, we figured out a way to support the front end by using an aluminum bracket and strut. Second, we figured out how to store the main components INSIDE the frame of the bike. Finally, we tested it in the field. It works, like a champ.

The entire system assembles in two minutes. A few minutes after that you can have the bike stabilized, the front wheel suspended, and the tire removed for repair or replacement.  Easy peasy.

The ForkStand consists of three components:  the brake caliper bracket, the fork strut, and the handlebar straps.  Together they weigh less than 12 ounces.

The ForkStand brake caliper bracket is stored between the left frame tubes, held in place by zip ties. The back side of the bracket holds two nuts that fit the brake caliper bolts.  A pair of 5mm bolts are also mounted to the bracket, ready to receive the fork strut.



The ForkStand fork strut is stored INSIDE the hollow frame tube that runs left-to-right. Plastic sleeves prevent rattles. A single screw on the right holds everything in place; remove the screw and the fork strut pulls out of the frame, ready for assembly to the brake caliper bracket.



The ForkStand handlebar straps can be stored in the tailpiece of the bike, or under the seat.  They strap between the handlebars and the grab rails, preventing the forks from twisting or turning when you're working on the front wheel.

When all the components are mounted on the bike, they remain secure until you need them. When the time comes to remove the front tire simply cut the zipties, unscrew the right side bolt to release the strut, and the ForkStand components are ready to assemble.  When you're done they can be re-mounted on the bike, all you'll need is a few zipties.

You can view more photos of the ForkStand over at our SmugMug page.  We've arranged the photos in more-or-less chronological order.  Several photos are duplicates.  When time permits we'll add captions, in the meantime you can scroll thru the album and get the general idea.  BestRest's F800GS ForkStand

For a 25-words-or-less tutorial: Remove the BMW torx bolts that hold the brake calipers in place. You'll have to remove the calipers on both sides when you remove the wheel. Using those same BMW torx bolts, fit the brake caliper bracket onto the fork tube. Put nuts on the ends of those bolts. 

Lift the front wheel and the ForkStand swings into position. Tighten the torx bolts and the ForkStand is locked in place.  You're ready to remove the front axle and tire.
  

The ForkStand supports the front of the bike, making wheel removal possible.



You'll notice a red strap around the centerstand and up to the the crash bar crossover tube.  We put it there to remind you (us) to secure the centerstand to the frame, to prevent unintentional movement or retraction of the stand.  We do not provide that red strap in the kit; we assume you already carry a tow stap or other safety strap in your tool bag.  


 Australian customers can now purchase the ForkStand from our AU distributor, Adventure Moto.