I bought this cheap stand off ebay over a year ago. Its worked ok and did the job. But it would get aggravating pushing in the swing arm paddles (sometimes they would go in too far) and because it was really always too wide, if would flex and twist inwards when lifting. Its a 3pc stand and bolts together towards then end. It seemed like the more I used it, the more the bolts stretched the holes they went through and allowed more play. Because I never really lifted it a lot, it wasnt a big deal.

Well recently I got tired of it. So........

I went to Lowes and bought a 1" "t" and a 24"x1' piece of pipe and end cap

I cut the at the rear and removed about 1.5". Then slotted the ends and pushed them in the T with a mallet and welded them in place. The handle screws in the end. Where the bolts were that holds the end in place, I welded those too. I didnt have in red rustoleum paint so I used blue for the time being. Lifting the bike is SO much easier now with the longer handle.

I also took the paddles out and threaded the ends with a 9/16 die and added nylon lock nuts on the ends to keep them from sliding in too far and hitting the sprocket.

Cost? About $18 for the 1" T, 24"x1" pipe and end cap, two 9/16 nuts and washers.

Pics are here

http://sdrv.ms/QpAA88

I've got a solid stand, so never had an issue with stability, but I do like your extension handle idea, never thought of doing that.  might make up a removable extension handle now you've given me some ideas.

The handle I have can screw into the T or out if you want to remove it. The handle does give the extra leverage to lift it with more ease

Looks good for a homemade stand  Harbor Freight has some good stands for pretty cheap. My rear stand was $35 and I love it.

Yeah, literally prior to cutting and welding this one, I called HF to verify they had one since they are a little over an hour away. They said they had four but after I drove all that way to get one, when I got there, they didn't have not ONE!

I was pissed. So i came home and cut this one and welded it.

I bought that same stand off ebay,......good idea to make it work like it should.