Pulling the trigger

Clive said:
My puncture was a screw in the middle and was repaired with no issues. FE's advice was wise - heard a story where one got a flat, went over and played dominos with bikes next to it. I am wondering about getting a half inch or so taken off the side stand and re-welded. My Kawa, although lightweight, is the opposite and leans at a most alarming angle but is totally stable. Another thing to consider when parking on a camber. Or on a ferry..... And yes to protect the bike I let it go over on me once rather than damage it and was stuck under it on the drive at 6 in the morning..... The turning circle can be a nuisance when manoeuvring round cars on the drive but never been a big issue for me.
I'm in the Midlands and the weather is mixed this week but looks to be picking up next weekend. Give yourself a second birthday and new bike ride re-run?
Click to expand...
I seem to remember reading about others modifying the side stand, presumably cutting a piece from the middle and rewelding. Beyond my capabilities but something I would now consider. I wonder if there is an optimum length?
I have now noticed that the lean on my bonneville scrambler is considerably more, even though the stand is much longer - but it has a higher pivot point. With the stand on the 961 being already quite short, is it possible that shorthening more might mean a better lean angle but actually lead to even more instability? (could this be why the problem has never been addressed by the factory). It would be better if the same stand was mounted higher but I can see that is not possible.
I've noticed that the correct lean angle on my Guzzi has been achieved by a bend in the stand, so if it were possible (presumably not) I think that might have been a much better solution for the 961.

Regarding a re-run I'm now unfortunately at the mercy of the (very busy) dealer as to when they will pick up and return the bike. I'm actually very appreciative that they are getting involved at all with something which is not really down to them.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Expensive fix for the puncture situation (plug’n’go), but with other benefits that include better manoeuvrability, is the fitting of carbon wheels as we’ve discussed previously. If the bikes a keeper that is!

Styles are limited but they are available and they do make a huge difference to handling, through a marked reduction of unsprung weight.
Click to expand...
I remember seeing them on bikes at the Donington factory but was under the impression that carbon wheels could not be fitted to the TVS bikes. I've had limited experience of riding the 961 but I have to say the handling seemed really good to me.
 
albional said:
I remember seeing them on bikes at the Donington factory but was under the impression that carbon wheels could not be fitted to the TVS bikes. I've had limited experience of riding the 961 but I have to say the handling seemed really good to me.
Click to expand...
The BST wheels fitted to none-ABS (pre-2016 ish) Donny bikes only - so will not fit to Solihull bikes as you say.

One of our members (ND2020) approached Rotobox to have a set of carbon wheels made for his Dominator 961 (ABS). The assumption is that these wheels fit the ABS Dominator therefore will fit all 961 ABS variants (incl Solihull). Below thread refers:

Thread 'Carbon Wheels on ABS Norton 961'
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/carbon-wheels-on-abs-norton-961.36691/

The carbon wheels make a really significant difference to handling; you’d need to experience it for yourself. I guess the dilemma for some - is the increase in performance worth the cost of the wheels and the impact on the authentic/period look provided by the wire wheels. All personal choice of course👍.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
The BST wheels fitted to none-ABS (pre-2016 ish) Donny bikes only - so will not fit to Solihull bikes as you say.

One of our members (ND2020) approached Rotobox to have a set of carbon wheels made for his Dominator 961 (ABS). The assumption is that these wheels fit the ABS Dominator therefore will fit all 961 ABS variants (incl Solihull). Below thread refers:

Thread 'Carbon Wheels on ABS Norton 961'
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/carbon-wheels-on-abs-norton-961.36691/

The carbon wheels make a really significant difference to handling; you’d need to experience it for yourself. I guess the dilemma for some - is the increase in performance worth the cost of the wheels and the impact on the authentic/period look provided by the wire wheels. All personal choice of course👍.
Click to expand...
£6K? I'm thinking I wouldn't be allowed to fit them because of the bike being on a pcp. Which is just as well as I wouldn't be able to afford them anyway! I seem to remember that the carbon option for the Donington bikes was around £2K, although I may be wrong.
 
albional said:
£6K? I'm thinking I wouldn't be allowed to fit them because of the bike being on a pcp. Which is just as well as I wouldn't be able to afford them anyway! I seem to remember that the carbon option for the Donington bikes was around £2K, although I may be wrong.
Click to expand...
Not the sort of mod you’d make until you’re sure that it’s a keeper post PCP. Even then, if the handling with the OEM wheels suits your riding style, you’d also have to question the value proposition I guess.

I was lucky enough to pick up a new set at used prices in Aus, Can’t remember the new price at the time but it was well over 2k I think. Similar wheels for the V4SV currently:

In USD.

Pulling the trigger Pulling the trigger
 
Clive said:
My puncture was a screw in the middle and was repaired with no issues. FE's advice was wise - heard a story where one got a flat, went over and played dominos with bikes next to it. I am wondering about getting a half inch or so taken off the side stand and re-welded. My Kawa, although lightweight, is the opposite and leans at a most alarming angle but is totally stable. Another thing to consider when parking on a camber. Or on a ferry..... And yes to protect the bike I let it go over on me once rather than damage it and was stuck under it on the drive at 6 in the morning..... The turning circle can be a nuisance when manoeuvring round cars on the drive but never been a big issue for me.
I'm in the Midlands and the weather is mixed this week but looks to be picking up next weekend. Give yourself a second birthday and new bike ride re-run?
Click to expand...
I'd be interested to know how the length of the stand on your Kawa compares. I've looked at a few and haven't found any as short as the 961 yet but as with your Kawa all of them do lean at greater angles. I'm wondering if shortening the stand might make the bike more prone to actually going over on the nearside!
 
If you feel the side stand is too short, imo its better to have it shortened. I've had that done for several projects in the past.
 
albional said:
I'd be interested to know how the length of the stand on your Kawa compares. I've looked at a few and haven't found any as short as the 961 yet but as with your Kawa all of them do lean at greater angles. I'm wondering if shortening the stand might make the bike more prone to actually going over on the nearside!
Click to expand...
The best way to ascertain the correct length, is to get some different thickness strips of wood (say 19mm, 25mm, 30mm etc.) which are long enough to go under each wheel, (or get two bits of each😀), then roll the bike onto each in turn and put the side stand down, and see which looks right. Or alternatively, if you or a friend have another bike that you think has the correct lean angle, drop a plumb bob from the handlebars at a measured point from the stem nut, then measure from the ground point, to the bike centre line (for example), then using the aforesaid bits of wood, replicate that measurement. (Or just cut 15mm out, find a bit of steel tube which fits inside, and take it to a welder😁)

If it’s of any help, my 2011 bike seems to be ok, so I’d be happy to measure it for you.
 
Have had customers with complaints about side stands/kickstands. One said the bike was standing up too straight, and we found his tire pressure was really low. On others, they had adjusted the suspension way too much.

The moral of the story is to check other issues with your bike before modifying the sidestand.
 
City Garage said:
Have had customers with complaints about side stands/kickstands. One said the bike was standing up too straight, and we found his tire pressure was really low. On others, they had adjusted the suspension way too much.

The moral of the story is to check other issues with your bike before modifying the sidestand.
Click to expand...
The thing is, what if the low tyre pressure is due to either a leaky valve or possible a very slow puncture, ie something you are not aware of at the time? You could put the bike away for a few days in these circumstances, even with fully pumped up tyres, only to find it lying on its side because the tyre had completely deflated itself over that time period. I also think that surely the side stand should be able to accommodate whatever adjustment of the standard suspension the rider needs to make.
 
The Donny side stands were all over the place by way of length. You’d hope the Solihull bikes would be more uniform?

The foot is also quite small. I fitted this R&G (aftermarket) item about 5 years ago which increases height a fraction - not what some are looking for I know - but also assists with stability. Might be worth a look for some👍.

Pulling the trigger
 
Not over-engineered enough- the lower section should go up and down without rotating and the enlarged foot should swivel slightly to accommodate the varying length.
 
albional said:
The thing is, what if the low tyre pressure is due to either a leaky valve or possible a very slow puncture, ie something you are not aware of at the time? You could put the bike away for a few days in these circumstances, even with fully pumped up tyres, only to find it lying on its side because the tyre had completely deflated itself over that time period. I also think that surely the side stand should be able to accommodate whatever adjustment of the standard suspension the rider needs to make.
Click to expand...
You would think that would be the case, but many sport bikes are also affected by this. Don't try to give the part superpowers; it's probably one of the least engineered parts on a motorcycle, which is why we carry different items to place under them when the pavement is hot or uneven, etc. You would think manufacturers would cover those eventualities, but no, they prefer to give us the sharpest, thinnest stick to prop a bike up with.
 


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