Annoying sidestand

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Hey. Im only 5 '7 3/4". [ long body, short legs ]. I have to piss around finding the tag, and then push the stand forward, and while doing that, get my cock hard against the tank to get it [ my foot ] all the way. Easy peasy. [ my ass ]

Have fun

Dereck
 
I'm the same height as Derek with 29" inside leg. The '72 type 750 side stand doesn't have the sticky out bit on the end so is impossible to use while seated on the bike. Over forty odd years I've just got used to getting off and fishing the stand out while standing at the side of the bike. The saving grace is that the Commando side stand is probably the most secure one around for supporting the bike.

I must be a glutton for punishment too, as I also have a BMW airhead which is also impossible for me to operate the side stand while seated. At least you can get an after market side stand for the BMW that is operable while seated.

Ian
 
I'm the same height as Derek with 29" inside leg. The '72 type 750 side stand doesn't have the sticky out bit on the end so is impossible to use while seated on the bike. Over forty odd years I've just got used to getting off and fishing the stand out while standing at the side of the bike. The saving grace is that the Commando side stand is probably the most secure one around for supporting the bike.

I must be a glutton for punishment too, as I also have a BMW airhead which is also impossible for me to operate the side stand while seated. At least you can get an after market side stand for the BMW that is operable while seated.

Ian
A weldor could add that 1/4" round bar extension in 5 minutes.
 
Modify them and make them yours..... I promise not to tell anyone.
 
So, today, I removed the sidestand and refitted it after giving the pivot sleeve a wallop. I then bolted it all back together extremely tight, being careful not to strip the threads. It still pivots exactly like it should, free and easy :mad: Another bit of brute force got the bolt just a bit tighter. But that’s it, no more. Now, though, the stand isn’t as free as it was and I think it will stay part way out so I can give it a second shove. What a pain!
 
I left some play although it sets well. It took me a bit of fiddling to get everything to where it pleased me. No plug and play.
 
Go easy on the walloping.... that way lies the path to fracture and failure!
 
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You've a valid point there because foremost in our thoughts as we tinker away at these beasts should be that we bring no injury upon ourselves or others as we go about seeking perfection.
Be safe as you slay the dragons.
 
The bolt should be tightened up. The sidestand rotates on a bushing which is fixed by the bolt.
 
Yes, I know it does. It still does, but I wanted to slow down the speed of rotation so that it won’t spring closed when I’m trying to put it out. I haven’t done anything to affect the integrity of the frame, the lug or the stand itself, just prevent smooth rotation.
 
Put in a shim whose ID is slightly larger than the bushing. You may find your nut loosens tho.
 
I use a high tensile allen bolt plus nyloc nut, you can tighten it hard without fear of it snapping and the nyloc allows you to adjust the tightness and then keep it at that setting without it coming loose.
 
Yep, 5’ 8” with dodgy hips. Almost dropped it last year after 2hrs of riding. Previous owner put a piece of hose on it which I took of cause it was ugly! I think it’s going back on as it will make life easier. Have always struggled with the height though in my youth it didn’t matter, ie much more agile. Have seen lowered seats, not a fan!
 
When I got my bike it had one of those stepped seats. Very comfortable, but I didn't like the style. I bought the one in the picture off EBay, but didn't realize it had been lowered until I got it on the bike and compared it to pictures of others. It is very well done, and I think about an inch lower than std. I'm guessing foam was cut from the bottom. In this picture you can also see where I fitted a footplate on to the centre stand as the it had none. The end was like a chisel causing me to hobble around for over a week. All in all the Commando stands are up there with the worst.



Cheers,

cliffa.
 
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The LOOOOONG side stand works well on soft earth, due to it’s leverage. Everything is a trade off...

Ha, I was going to say that. Years ago when my Jap crap riding friends used to take the piss out of my stand, a quick look round the camp site would often find a bike on its side, and that was given as the reason for the "correctly designed stand" on the Norton.

Now I find it a pain in the arse to use, old age and all that.
 
Hey. Im only 5 '7 3/4". [ long body, short legs ]. I have to piss around finding the tag, and then push the stand forward, and while doing that, get my cock hard against the tank to get it [ my foot ] all the way. Easy peasy. [ my ass ]

Have fun

Dereck
Interstate or Roadster ? ;););)
 
I guess it’s just a practice thing. After decades with it I just hook it with my heal, give it a swing forward, no problem. At the end of last year, the tang broke off mine and that made it a real pig to find, welded it back in place, good to go.
B
 
I managed to get out for a ride today and my slight mods to the sidestand have proven effective. I have used a couple of rubber hoses in place of the stock rubber buffer, this has brought the tang out a bit further than previously and I can reach it with my toe and not struggle with the heel. Now I can swing the stand out that little bit further so it doesn’t spring back on me.

it’s still an annoying stand, but for now it’s sorted.
 
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