Annoying sidestand

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So you see now when NV said 'That's good enough, they'll figure it out from here'. They were correct..... Too bad they're gone and not around to capitalize on the novel solutions owners have discovered over the years.
 
Cliffa. I see your point. Both mine are Roadsters. Never ridden an Interstate so never entered my mind. I guess its just another design thing we have to get used to. [ thats why I added the My Ass comment }

Have fun
 
I like your comment guys. Gotta have fun eh. [ with too much info ]
David, the shim idea is a good one as well.

I welded an extension on mine so that I could get the bloody thing out while still seated . Why, because funnily enough, I am getting older [ 69 this year ] and with loaded panniers, the bike gets a bit unmanageable at petrol stations. I can rarely start the things without them being on the centre stand. Staring on the wheels means I have to jump in the air and then kick it. I dont always get the balance right and that pisses me off especially if someone is watching.

I have experienced all the faults of the bikes that I know about and the first cure i did was toss the side stand away on my 71 750. All those years ago [ 1973 ]we didnt know about modifications to the frame to cure the stupid problem. Fancy relying on a 1/16 "pin. to support the weight of a commando. ridiculous. The 850 is much better, still a little suspect, but holding out..
Dereck
 
I'm tempted to fit an electric starter now and not use it until I can't kick start the bike. Save me so much hassle about all the ancillary things like worrying about side stands and such. :)
 
Tornado said:
Have you actually used this technique? Though I reported the shop tech doing it, I've never attempted it myself as I seem to manage OK with my long legs.
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I'm tall...that helps. I just lean over, cup my fingers under the stand about mid-way (Minding the pipe!), and flip it out. Been doing it forever (well....since about '76).
 
A small point - which many of you, I'm certain, will already know...
I was adjusting the nut and lock-nut on the side-stand yesterday to the point where the stand was "sticking" in whatever position you put it - not good.
I was about to lube the pivot with oil when I saw my can of Motul Chain Lube (Road) and thought that it may be a better solution.
It loosened up the movement nicely to the extent that I was able to tighten the pivot to almost no up-and-down play at all.
I left it overnight (all volatiles gone) and the stand now deploys and retracts the best it ever has,
The lube is now dry so hopefully won't attract dust and being a lube for arduous duty hopefully will prevent galling & wear in the pivot area.
Anyone else already done this?
Cheers
Rob
BTW: I'm 5' 11" and - if I use the toe of my boot on the tip of the stand, it works perfectly.
 
Well, a couple of days have passed and the improvement in the ease of kicking out and pulling in of the side stand are quite remarkable.
I thoroughly recommend using modern chain lube for the side stand pivot - also tighten up to reduce up-down movement.
It worked so well I'm going to give the centre-stand the same treatment ( it currently doesn't flick right up when the bike is pushed off it - needs a nudge to fold right up)
 
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