Side Stand and Center Stand

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My 74 is in pieces now and I have started degreasing the parts so I can see what I have. The first items I'm working on are the frame, center stand and side stand. Both are very worn. The mounting holes in the center stand and in the frame are egg shaped and the side stand appears to have had an upgrade welded in place on the frame but all pivot points are badly worn. Does anyone have some technical specs on the diameter on the holes for these parts? I am debating whether I should have them welded up and redrilled or just ream them out til they are round and make custom bushings. Do I really need a step bushing on the center stand?
Side Stand and Center Stand


Side Stand and Center Stand
 
This could be your big chance to fit 2 sealed bearings in the centerstand cradle support in lieu of the sloppy stock 45 yr. old bushing arrangement. The sidestand is a new bushing situation I would think. Mind you the bushing can wear out the sidestand pivot area too from years of no grease and the bike's weight on it. Both are machinist options.
 
NASAman
there was already a post on 18th October from Ewgoforth about bushings etc with many suggestions including some details of my own sealed bearing conversion.
As your frame is stripped down I would take all the oval holes back to stock size, (12mm?) buy new AN bolts, bushes and spring for your side stand, then throw that old centre stand in the bin and buy a new one with all bushes, spring and HT bolts from AN, unless you can do a major refurb and strengthening.
Mine looked like yours and I rewelded it over the years to look similar but in the end got fed up with the cracking, broken spring etc and just wanted a reliable, fit and forget centrestand which I use daily with occasional sidestand use on tour with a loaded bike.
 
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Yes you -do need a pair of stepped bushings. Here is what I did, [ think I have posted this before but what the heck. ] Firstly though. i suggest you get rid of that extra pc of tube under the original cross pc. Get some 1/2 inch high tensile steel and bend it to fit inside the lower portion of your centre stand and weld that in place. You can see that yours has broken one of the legs off just where the outrigger plate has been welded between the leg stand the kick lever. If you don't fix that it will break again.
Next, bore the holes in the centre stand so that are round and best if that are the same size. Next do the same to the holes in the gearbox frame. Now make the stepped bushes so that the diameter of the end theat goes into the frame, is going to be a tight fit, and only about 90% of the width of the g/box frame in its length. The larger portion of the stepped bush needs to be just big enough to enable it to turn inside the centre stand pivots, and it length greater than the width of the centre stand pivot legs.. The hole in the bush needs to be big enough to put your bolt through. I used 7/16 on my 750 but then used only 3/8 on my 850. When its all in place make sure the bolts are dead tight. You should not have any problems after that. [I had several attempts over the years and this was my final solution.]

As for the side stand, mine is still ok because I only use that when I am too tired to be able to put the bike on the centre stand.Me being 67 years old, the bike is finally starting to feel heavy.

Have fun.

Dereck

ps the centre stand on my 71, 750 was the first modification I ever made as a young fellah. I tossed it over my shoulder and never looked back.
 
It would be a really good opportunity to modify both stands so they do not scrape. Just last weekend I cut the long activating arm off my centre stand with an angle grinder. It does make the bike very easy to put on the centre stand but I found it ground badly everytime I rode on a windy back road.
 
One of the main reasons side and centre stands mounts wear out is from being used to start the bike when kicking it over and running them while on the stand, they won't wear out just holding the weight of the bike, I learned a long time ago way back in the early 80s after converting my 850 to a Featherbed as I didn't have a side or centre stand on it at all and learned to kick start my bike without using a stand.
If you never use your stands to start your bike and keep them greased up they shouldn't wear out, I would drill them out and put bushes in to fix the wear and tear.
I got to admit I use to use the stands to start my bike when I first brought it new when I was 17 years old and a skinny young fellow that had to use all my body just to kick it over and after a few years the mounts were showing signs of wear then I stopping using the stands to kick it over.

Ashley
 
Just be thankful you have stands. Neither of the two prototypes had either a center or a side stand. When we wanted to stop, we had to find a fence or a street sign to lean them against! I didn't see a center stand until I looked at the Commandos on the company stand at the '67 Earl's Court Show. I had about 20,000 miles of Commando experience under my belt by then.
 
Just be thankful you have stands. Neither of the two prototypes had either a center or a side stand. When we wanted to stop, we had to find a fence or a street sign to lean them against! I didn't see a center stand until I looked at the Commandos on the company stand at the '67 Earl's Court Show. I had about 20,000 miles of Commando experience under my belt by then.

You made me laugh (in a good way) Mr Damp.

We could only dream of side stands......

 
Well I weigh less now than when I was 21 and kicking the old boat anchor into life hasnt gotten any easier.
Always use the centre stand to start unless Im on a poor surface and then it has to be the side stand. If it
isnt a real good surface no way can I get it on the centre stand.
When you are less than 9 stone full up it is just the price of fame!
 
One of the main reasons side and centre stands mounts wear out is from being used to start the bike when kicking it over and running them while on the stand, they won't wear out just holding the weight of the bike, I learned a long time ago way back in the early 80s after converting my 850 to a Featherbed as I didn't have a side or centre stand on it at all and learned to kick start my bike without using a stand.
If you never use your stands to start your bike and keep them greased up they shouldn't wear out, I would drill them out and put bushes in to fix the wear and tear.
I got to admit I use to use the stands to start my bike when I first brought it new when I was 17 years old and a skinny young fellow that had to use all my body just to kick it over and after a few years the mounts were showing signs of wear then I stopping using the stands to kick it over.

Ashley
I have never understood starting a bike on the stand. Always seemed very awkward to me.
 
ashman
Main reason for centre stand wearing out is the narrow bearing surface and the weight of the bike when moving it on and off the stand, lack of regular lube and moisture just make it worse.
Don,t know anyone who kickstarts a bike on the stand, is it a modern thing?
 
ashman
Main reason for centre stand wearing out is the narrow bearing surface and the weight of the bike when moving it on and off the stand, lack of regular lube and moisture just make it worse.
Don,t know anyone who kickstarts a bike on the stand, is it a modern thing?
It’s a “Harley thing” :p
 
It's also an "old fart's" thing as I understand it. An electric start version would be best as one ages.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I got the swing arm separated from the engine mount tonight and de-greased everything. It's a lot easier to see what's going on now. The center stand fits to the engine mount without a lot of play. The holes in the engine mount appear to be in fairly good condition but the existing bushings do not fit in them. The previous owner had bolted the stepped bushings in place such that the step was halfway through the center stand and it has all worn very badly. It's a mess. So I will buy a new sidestand and follow the rcommendations for the centerstand. Thanks for all the help. I really need to get this squared away.
 
One of the main reasons side and centre stands mounts wear out is from being used to start the bike when kicking it over and running them while on the stand, they won't wear out just holding the weight of the bike, I learned a long time ago way back in the early 80s after converting my 850 to a Featherbed as I didn't have a side or centre stand on it at all and learned to kick start my bike without using a stand.
If you never use your stands to start your bike and keep them greased up they shouldn't wear out, I would drill them out and put bushes in to fix the wear and tear.
I got to admit I use to use the stands to start my bike when I first brought it new when I was 17 years old and a skinny young fellow that had to use all my body just to kick it over and after a few years the mounts were showing signs of wear then I stopping using the stands to kick it over.

Ashley
Or, you could be like me and have knee issues where starting without it being on the center stand isn't going to happen. Getting a knee replacement sometime next year.
John in Texas
 
Or, you could be like me and have knee issues where starting without it being on the center stand isn't going to happen. Getting a knee replacement sometime next year.
John in Texas
Getting off easy . Thank god for free medical operations here in Canada. 3 plates, 8 screws from 850 kickback. In the states I was told 35 G. plus the same in Physio.
 
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