Just got done with install of this P.stand, all went well, had to drill out the bottom lugs for it, about 10/15 minutes per side with the drill on the slow speed.
The test went well, I used a heavy duty ratchet and put my foot on to it to lift it, my only two complaints is the rear tire is only 1/8 to 1/4 off the floor though, was looking for more clearance like the one picture on the forum, would also prefer the stand to be a wider stands/foot print, this would make it easier to lift this 800LB behemoth with a breaker bare.
If in the future you were to make a wider stand, I would buy it.
This stand will facilitate easier oil changes that I will be doing next week, this is a nice addition to a bike lift.
I caution against using a ratchet simply because the pawl teeth in any ratchet that's 1/2" drive aren't all that much (ever take one apart and look?). I'd suggest a forged steel long handled breaker bar of domestic manufacture, that is, not a Hradon Fright cheapie.
The end caps will sithstand any amount of torque you can bring to bear on them. They are 1/2" thick alloy steel.
As far as the width of the stand, the width is controlled by the cam plates and their relationship to the lug holes and nothing else. What you need to do is use a short extension (I use a 3" sxtension) between the breaker bar and the end plate to obtain added clearance. I've even use a 12" fill length extension but the problem with an extended extension bar enhahed in the broached hole is that because it takes some force to lift the bike, the extension will spring a bit.
I designed the stand to fit under the bike without anything protruding, to trip over. Extending the axle (center tube) would only defeat that intent. The cam plates have to be maintained at the present spacing in order for the pins to not to be overextended. The overall width of the stand is determined by you through the application of different lengths of extension bars.
All the other available stands that I've ever seen, emply the lift handle as a positioning device and that handle is hanging out in the breeze, waiting in anticipation for your foot or toes to get in there and breaking them. 800 pounds of elevated bike isn't going to move the lift handle (on the stands I've seen elsewhere). It's going to break your foot, toes or at least sprain your ankle.
Because the stand is designed for a stock shocked R3, longer or shorter shocks will effect tire clearance. I suggest using a piece of metal of the desired thickness between the stand and the floor to obtain the desired clearance you are looking for.
I just would not advise using a ratchet, They aren't designed for that type of torque load.