So I bought my bike without a center stand, and I'm trying to do some work on my rear shock (adjusting the preload since the previous owner had it fully compressed for her height).

So I've got a rear stand that lifts the bike by the swingarm, however when I put my bike up on this, it compresses the spring all the way, making it hard to get it off. What are my options to lift the bike besides going out a finding a center stand so that I can get the rear shock off to adjust it?

 

If you don't want to bother the seller for the centerstand or shop around for one, you can always do it redneck style, like I'm frequently forced to do on my bikes lacking centerstands:
~Use the swingarm stand to lift the bike
~Stack a bunch of books under the oilpan (being careful not to put any weight directly on the oilpan drainbolt, grease zerks or other bottom-hanging danglies)
~Remove the swingarm stand and be very careful not to tip the bike over!

It's not the best way, but if you don't have a centerstand...

 

hahaha, a pretty expensive stand, but it will work.