Center Stand Question

I apologize if this had been covered before but I did a search and cant really come up with the answer to my question. Still very new to the Norton world so excuse my ignorance on the subject. Last night I was over at another forum members house and he was showing me some tips on chain/brake adjustment ect. While under the bike I notice a chunk of metal (one of the stops) was missing off the center stand and laying on the ground next to it (see pic 2). Interesting thing was I have been making it a point not to use the center stand while kick starting after reading how they are prone to fail but know the PO told me he used the center stand exclusively for kick starting.

I do have a sidestand attached by a PO which seems to be very nonstandard and, though it works, is a real bitch to get out from under the bike and leaves me less than confident in its ability. Looks like it was a tac welded on afterthought...not that I'm any expert in welding. It seems as the center stand has had a bit of "reinforcement" sometime in its life but to my inexperienced eye looks to be a 750 model which would be correct on my bike. I've seen that there was an upgrade offered by Norton to upgrade to an 850 stand for increased durability. Old Britts is currently selling an "alternative" (https://www.oldbritts.com/alt_064031.html) but I didn't know if this would work for me and plan on calling them tomorrow. I've attached a bunch of pics below just to give you an idea of what I am seeing. I wouldn't worry about it so much but the side stand just does not instill confidence and after my bike getting knocked over by accident today at a meet (no damage :mrgreen I want to get this fixed asap. Thanks in advance guys







The wonky side stand




Temporary to make me sleep better and take some load off the side stand

The side stand is definitely non standard. It does not look like any Commando stand I have ever seen. It goes over-center because it is lacking a positive stop. What the side stand is attached to also does not look stock. Repairing that side of the equation is not a simple job. The Old Britts solution is a replacement for the cheesy side stand attachment for 1971's, if my memory is correct. So if you have a 1971, it might work for you. Alternatively, if you were handy with a welder and a grinder, you could probably make what you have work. Welding a 1/4 " round steel extension will allow you to get your foot on the side stand when it is tucked up. Look at a stock side stand for inspiration.

The center stand is also a bodge. The stops are welded nuts, one of which broke off. The original stops are much more substantial. Your center stand folds too far forward under the bike. This is because the pivot holes are in the wrong place, or the stops were welded in the wrong place. In my experience, when the center stand over extends like that, it is a bitch to get the bike off the stand. The cross bar is a homemade attempt at bracing a 750 stand. Not a bad idea. Kind of like the side stand, if you are handy with a welder and a grinder, you can make what you have work. Or you can throw it all away, buy new, and if you are lucky and the pivot holes are where they belong, it might work. The spring is an interesting home brew solution: also not stock, but if if keeps the stand high enough not to drag in corners, great.

Stephen Hill

Thanks for the reply Stephen. Plan on getting this center stand squared away first and then tackling the issue of the side stand. Can't really tell if that center stand was once a '71 but that is the year of the bike so I'm assuming it was. From what I can tell the top mounting holes on the frame appear to be in the correct location? Possibly others with similar bikes can chime in on that. Not one who is handy with welding (last time was shop class back 25 years ago) so in the case that a new one fits I will just spend the money and get this bodge piece out of there. Now Im just hoping a replacement will fit...fingers crossed

FWIW, Commando Specialties sells new U.K. made side stands for a buck-fifty. I bought one recently and it looks like similar fit + finish to the original stand. Also plan on buying the correct bushings and bolts and a spring. Hopefully the pivot holes in you engine cradle haven't been oversized by the P.O.

Thanks Mark, in the case that I end up ordering one Ill keep them in mind. Just emailed Fred over at Old Britts and attached the pics to get his take on it, while Im at it I would prefer to switch over to the 850 stand for increased strength if possible. Now the $1,000,0000 question is if one will even fit or if any other "modifications" were done to make the current one work

Stand has been working fine up until the home-brew bolt came off causing the problem, no issues dragging in corners and rock solid (well, obviously not). Part of me thinks of removing the whole thing and taking it in to have more robust stops welded into the where it broke at the same time having the other side strengthened as well. Thoughts?

You would be right in fitting the later type 850 stand as it is better braced than the earlier version. You will also need new return spring which can prove hard to fit but there is plenty of advice on that on this site if you look around. Your pivot bolts also don't look right and you may need to replace them. Welcome to the fun world of WHY DID THEY DO THAT??? :?

One of the problems with centre stands is they were not designed correctly in the first place. The pivot bolting system was crap. What you ought to do is clean out the holes in the engine frame so the you can make special hat bushes for your bike. I wrote about this some time ago. It is a necessary modification for both 750 and 850. With my 1971 750, the best mod I did with the side stand was throw it over my shoulder. its a crap system and could never be satisfactory. I don't believe in welding these frames just to fit a side stand so that my reasoning.
I will see if I can find where I wrote about the mod so as not to repeat myself.
All the best Dereck
batting-1000-center-stand-woes-t20172.html?hilit=centre%20stand#p260355

Transcon said:

Thanks for the reply Stephen. Plan on getting this center stand squared away first and then tackling the issue of the side stand. Can't really tell if that center stand was once a '71 but that is the year of the bike so I'm assuming it was. From what I can tell the top mounting holes on the frame appear to be in the correct location? Possibly others with similar bikes can chime in on that. Not one who is handy with welding (last time was shop class back 25 years ago) so in the case that a new one fits I will just spend the money and get this bodge piece out of there. Now Im just hoping a replacement will fit...fingers crossed

Click to expand...

I t looks like the original centre stand with that gusset plate welded on top of the cross bar. I suspect you will never have a problem with that part of the stand from now on. Check my write up about fixing the pivot point and your stand will be bomb proof.
Dereck

kerinorton said:

Transcon said:

Thanks for the reply Stephen. Plan on getting this center stand squared away first and then tackling the issue of the side stand. Can't really tell if that center stand was once a '71 but that is the year of the bike so I'm assuming it was. From what I can tell the top mounting holes on the frame appear to be in the correct location? Possibly others with similar bikes can chime in on that. Not one who is handy with welding (last time was shop class back 25 years ago) so in the case that a new one fits I will just spend the money and get this bodge piece out of there. Now Im just hoping a replacement will fit...fingers crossed

Click to expand...

I t looks like the original centre stand with that gusset plate welded on top of the cross bar. I suspect you will never have a problem with that part of the stand from now on. Check my write up about fixing the pivot point and your stand will be bomb proof.
Dereck

Click to expand...

+1

Ended up going with a replacement of the later version from Old Britts, comes with all the necessary spacer/bolts, ect. Took the old one off and, though cleverly engineered, didn't want to have another band-aid fix on it and just decided to go with new hardware. I guess Ill know better when it arrives what I am dealing with, thanks for all the suggestions guys...Im sure this is the first of many questions I will have as I get to know this machine