I've built a couple of different types of work stands over the years, but once I put a center stand on my bike (mine lifts the rear wheel about three inches off the ground), I've never felt the need for anything else. It's particularly nice when the bike is lifted onto a workbench; no bending). And, I think it looks pretty cool on a MB, whether in use or retracted. They're widely available for about $30.
I quite often use a ratchet strap with one end hooked onto my seat, then thrown over a beam in my ceiling then hook the other end to the handlebars, i can hoist it up to whatever height i need to work at really easily