Shorts: Abba Stands Skylift on a Honda CRF300 Rally 4K

[@snowball05]

Thank you Andre for the tip about the Ducati adapter! I had an Abba super bike stand left over from when I owned a Street Triple and now I can use it on my CRF300L! The left foot peg removal is the only downside.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I have a friend who has a fabrication business. I was going to ask him if he could make an extension piece for the ‘ram’ side of the lift that could be used so the left foot peg could stay on. If it works, I’ll get some more made.

[@Sky-Hawk]

Found this from the Abba site concerning the fitting kits: "Depending on the design of the pivot itself our fittings are designed to fit either over the nut head (in a similar way to fitting a socket over a nut/bolt head) or inside the hollow or hex hole via a correct size fitting pin." So, if Abba offers two fittings (17mm for bolt head, 22mm for nut end) then this may be another mounting option, that is simpler (uses swing arm pivot bolt/nut which is higher up by 11cm, which is within stock range of Sky Lift, eliminating need for initial raise with MX stand). Will need to consult with Abba to see if they offer the two different sized fittings.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Yup, that sounds like it’d work if they have the fittings. It’s not something I’ve tried though.

[@Sky-Hawk]

Maybe another approach! From another discussion, the swing arm pivot bolt (head and nut) are 17/22mm and about 11cm higher (minimum Sky Lift swing arm pivot point is 365mm, swing arm pivot bolt is above this). Can the Sky Lift fittings mount directly to the 17/22 mm bolt head/nut? If so, no need for the MX stand. More research coming.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Sounds positive!

[@chrisallen5548]

Thanks André, I have wondering about that for quite a while now.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

😁. Funny really, stuff I do on a regular basis that I don’t even think is a thing, people then ask about and after 48 videos about the CRF300 I do one about the stand 🤣

[@georgecook5120]

I will be ordering this lift. Thank you for the video, Andre!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Excellent. I expect Abba stands will be sending my commission cheque as usual 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@georgecook5120]

@@PeakMotorcycles I ordered mine tonight. Currently, they are out of stock but they expect to have some ready to ship the first week of January. I have a Kendon lift I am now going to sell. There is nothing wrong with the lift, the Abba is more versatile and better suits my needs. Thanks again for what you do, Andre!

[@garethowen61]

Great stuff as ever. Looking to get something like this for mine👍

[@PeakMotorcycles]

It’s a bit of a faff for quick maintenance but ideal for anything where a bit of force is needed.

[@Sky-Hawk]

Hi Andre, thanks for this great video. I measured my frame openings (23 CRFL Rally) which are ~24.9mm. I contacted Skylift and the closest adapter they sell is 24.85mm. Did you measure the Panigale kit that you received? They cautioned that since they do no make a kit for this bike, the Skylift would not be returnable. Makes me a little cautious. Guess I could just order the kit before placing the Skylift order. Thanks.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I didn’t but it did fit. Though when I switched to the Zeta footpegs, the left side one had to be removed to get the adapter in. I also found that the lifting points are quite high, so I was using a small MX lift to get the bike up and level before fitting the Skylift.

[@0HARE]

This was very interesting. I was unaware of the lifting holes in the frame of the bike. That’s a quality piece of equipment that will significantly aid in bike maintenance and repair. Also, where’d you get those new Zeta foot pegs?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Footpegs came from 24MX here in Europe. I’d seen some basic stands that used the holes so it was an obvious choice!

[@123cedmondson]

Andre, as always great video. Have you thought of machining a plug that is longer for the drivers side so you can swing up the foot peg instead of remove it every time.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I have… or at least I’ve thought of asking my neighbour who has a metal lathe to see if he can turn one out for me. Life would be easier!

[@mrsilbo6499]

Nice bit of kit, André. I didn't recognise you without your mask! 😂

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Ha. Most people say I look better in a mask. Better still in 2. With a hat on. From a distance.

[@mrsilbo6499]

@@PeakMotorcycles I couldn't possibly confirm or deny this.

[@Sky-Hawk]

How do you strap (or configure) for a horizontal lift? I don't find a mounting point on the back of the swing arm for the Abba adapter. Thanks.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Just round the swingarm. But I suppose you could put it round the frame if you were removing the swing arm.

[@Sky-Hawk]

Abba confirmed via email that they offer the 17/22mm fittings. Are you interested enough to try them out? I would like your opinion before I invest in the Sky Lift. Thanks.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi, sure, though by when do you need to make a decision? I’m off on my travels again shortly. Drop me a note to [e-mail] and we can sort something out.

[@boozehound8723]

Hi, Abba don’t do a specific kit for the CRF . As if you look at where the foot pegs are, and where the holes for the swing arm mounts would go , you can see it wouldn’t work as the foot peg will interfere with the lift operation . This applies to many adventure style bikes. However nice work around though 👍

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Each of their kits is made from 2 adapters. I called them said I needed 2x25mm plugs, and that was the Panigale kit. You’re right that they don’t tend to do kits for Enduro bikes as most people get by with an MX stand. Or blocks. But for anything with the suspension or bash plate, or even an oil drain, the Abba Skylift is ideal. You don’t need one of course, and a lot of things can be done with an MX stand or even the side stand, but it does make it a lot easier for filming.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@2000jago it would. But the adapters are pretty cheap, and I don’t have a lathe!

[@luthorkhan5551]

Thanks André, All you vids have been informative and enjoyable. You are a natural at this. One observation if I may - your garage is starting to look a bit cluttered and generally a bit of a mess. Your style and communication skills deserve a better stage so maybe time to get the walls and floors painted and storage too. 😀 jesting but slightly true

[@PeakMotorcycles]

You’re right. We are having some building work done so a lot of extra stuff has ended up in the garage and I’m having to work round it. If we get the permission we are looking for, it’ll get even busier for a while next summer, and then all will go. Over the last few weeks I’ve acquired the winter tyres for the car (which will go on in the next few weeks). A R1200GS which I’m storing for the winter for a friend who had to give up a garage, a cement mixer for a neighbour, plus half a garage of agricultural equipment which really needs to go in a barn. If we get the permission, I’ll have a 45’x20’ barn for all the farm stuff. Tyres will be on the car and the 1200GS and cement mixer will go back to their owners. Until then, I have to work around it. You have my apologies.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Slightly? I’d go for absolutely!

[@luthorkhan5551]

Sounds epic. Best of luck and Happy Crimbo

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@Luthor Khan it’ll get worse before it gets better. And it was easier when no one watched any of my videos. 🤣. We have an old timber cowshed which is falling down and is the current storage for a tractor. The plan is to get the barn, move everything from the cowshed (and half the garage) out there, then demolish the cowshed and rebuild. Probably in stone. It won’t be huge, maybe 6m x 4.5m, but will be perfect for bikes and filming. If management allows it, I’d quite like to get a flush floor bike lift installed as part of it, but we shall see. It’s still some way off, and winter is always a time when I need to store more things indoors.

[@Sky-Hawk]

What MX stand do you use?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

www.ghostbikes.com/5213-5213-black-pro-range-b5213-adjustable-mx-lift-stand.html

[@The_Arby]

Nice one mate :-) Did you see Noraly bought a New Honda CRF300 Rally for her new adventures to Alaska :-)

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I did. A fine choice! Someone should do 50 videos about that bike! (#50 goes up this weekend). I expect that’ll drive more demand for a bike that already has a long wait. Might drive up demand for CRF300 Rally videos too. I shall thank her. (She does follow me on IG. I am honoured!)