68-70 centre stand modification

macca49 · Jul 6, 2012

hi guys my bike has a pre 70 centre stand fitted which i am going to modify below is the gap currently so questions
1 what is the measurement of the correct centre stand to the bolt centre from the point of contact to the road ? [this stand is 265mm]
2 how much do you think i should cut off the existing stand ? im thinking 55mm
thanks

concours · Jul 6, 2012

That looks like a perfect height for service, repairing punctures, etc. I'd be happy to have the gap shown. Just my .02

Torontonian · Jul 6, 2012

Gap looks about right, but what about the tire ? The rubber is going. Those early stands had no "feet" so maybe you want to weld on two so that your bike doesn't fall over while you're standing there admiring it.

Stephen Hill · Jul 6, 2012

I have the early stand on my 1968, and it is a son of a bitch to get the bike up on the stand. Part of the problem is that the stand tries to lift the bike up too high, kind of like yours. This means you end up fighting the geometry of the stand: all rise and no run, if you get my drift.

I think your plan is an excellent idea. If you end up with a one inch gap between the tire and the road, you should be in good shape. Before you begin your mods, look hard at the stops on the stand and the frame. If these are worn, it will complicate your efforts. With wear the bike goes too far past centre, which makes the bike difficult to lift off the stand. Wear in the stops will also make the bike sit lower, which doesn't look like your problem. But worth checking anyway. What is odd is the large gap you starting with. You might want to check and see if you have the correct shocks. Stock Norton shocks are 13 inches eye to eye. When you finish, please let us know how it worked out.

Stephen Hill

macca49 · Jul 6, 2012

Stephen Hill said:
I have the early stand on my 1968, and it is a son of a bitch to get the bike up on the stand. Part of the problem is that the stand tries to lift the bike up too high, kind of like yours. This means you end up fighting the geometry of the stand: all rise and no run, if you get my drift.

I think your plan is an excellent idea. If you end up with a one inch gap between the tire and the road, you should be in good shape. Before you begin your mods, look hard at the stops on the stand and the frame. If these are worn, it will complicate your efforts. With wear the bike goes too far past centre, which makes the bike difficult to lift off the stand. Wear in the stops will also make the bike sit lower, which doesn't look like your problem. But worth checking anyway. What is odd is the large gap you starting with. You might want to check and see if you have the correct shocks. Stock Norton shocks are 13 inches eye to eye. When you finish, please let us know how it worked out.

Stephen Hill

hey Stephen
the centre stand is from a post 70 model [see earlier post to identify this] so my original plan was to just buy the correct one from norvil but a couple of posters suggested just modifing the one i have . i will check the shocks though just to be sure.

Torontonian said:
Gap looks about right, but what about the tire ? The rubber is going. Those early stands had no "feet" so maybe you want to weld on two so that your bike doesn't fall over while you're standing there admiring it.

hey Torontonian i reckon i could get another ride out of that tyre

just joking im about 2 weeks away from putting new rubber on but thats another story dunlops or avons ?

thanks for the comments 8)

DogT · Jul 6, 2012

When I put mine on the centre stand on a flat place, like the garage floor, the rear wheel just hits the floor. But then I notice I have a bit of slop in one side of the mount. I put mine up on a 1x6 under the centre stand no problem, I don't even run the front tyre up on a 2x4 any more. That gives me about 2" of clearance at the rear wheel. But then I take off the seat, put my foot on the little lever on the stand, make sure it's balanced and give it the heave ho with both hands on the rear loop.

Dave
69S

pete.v · Jul 6, 2012

macca49 said:
hi guys my bike has a pre 70 centre stand fitted which i am going to modify below is the gap currently so questions
1 what is the measurement of the correct centre stand to the bolt centre from the point of contact to the road ? [this stand is 265mm]
2 how much do you think i should cut off the existing stand ? im thinking 55mm
thanks

How long are your shocks on center eye to eye? Stock is about 13", 12.9 actually. Height is nice with a centerstand, as long as it isn't too hard to use it.

We should also assume that you have 19" rims and Dunlops"?

macca49 · Jul 6, 2012

shocks are 13 " eye to eye so no probs there i have a system for using the centre stand [piece of wood visable in the picture in the background] so its not too much of a hassle now but there is now way i could do it without the wood, so if out on run and i needed to put it on the centre stand there would be issues . saying all that i now have a side stand which i purchased from Norvil , so i should be allright.
cheers

68-70 centre stand modification

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