another "getting the bike on the center stand" thread...(2020)

[joe czech]

OK, I know this is probably another old topic, but look at this video, especially about 20 seconds into it, and tell me if you've mastered getting your bike on the center stand while on the bike. I don't have any trouble getting it on the CC while standing to the side, but no way have I mastered that technique. so, if you have, what's the trick? it almost seems like it's done with "smoke and mirrors."

 

[NPeteN]

That fellas got it down.
Steady bike with right hand on bars. Push downwards and backwards with both feet, one planted one on stand. Lift with left hand on frame while shifting bodyweight upwards and backwards with your legs.

Needs to be one fluid movement performed with confidence.

Never tried on a Norton, my stand makes in near impossible but I do it this way on Hondas.

 

[acadian]

Extra points for doing it while wearing sandals

 

[rvich]

First your legs need to be long enough to have a little length left when you are sitting on the bike. I don't have any trouble reaching the ground when in the saddle but I don't have much leg left. There isn't much you can do unless you perfect the movement while on tip toe!

Nice set of bikes.

 

[Northton]

I don’t get the attraction. You still have to get off the bike anyway...
I’m more impressed that he can kick it over off the stand.

 

[Peter R]

I wrote before on this forum that I struggle to put the bike on the center stand, I somehow think that my rearwheel is too high off the ground when the bike is on the center stand.

 

[Onder]

Well he just wore out both bikes cams....

I just have to ask how much he weighs and how tall he stands. Couldn't start it like that and couldn't get it on the centre stand either!

 

[concours]

No smoke (although he does kinda look like Willie Nelson) & mirrors. Just a tall guy, that has his muscle tone still, using good body mechanics to start/lift the bike.
Inertia.... properly used, his plantar tendon is not damaged starting the engine, the flywheel takes it over compression. Also, he’s confident the engine won’t kick back, comes from knowing that your bike is in good running order.
Leverage.... allows putting it on the center stand without struggle. Comes from using known good practice.

 

[joe czech]

I've studied that video for some time now, and I think I may have realized what I've been doing wrong. the several times I've tried this, i'm thinking I may have had the front brake engaged as part of trying to keep the bike steady. with the front wheel locked, the added rolling resistance would keep the bike from moving back as it pivots up onto the CC. i'll figure this out - he makes it look too easy.

 

[MexicoMike]

Looks cool - I'm impressed!

 

[EstuaryBoy]

Not a criticism, just a personal quirk.... but am I the only one who cringes to see bikes running on the centre stand?? I just couldn't do it....

 

[Flatspot]

I run mine up on the centrestand when I’m trying to set the carbs settings. It does tend to want to vibrate its way back down the drive though when I rev it up a bit.

 

[lazyeye6]

If only I too was 6'4" tall, muscular and weighed 245, I too could do it. But I'm not and I can't.

 

[bsanorton]

That impressed me. Not that I like seeing those beauties running standing still, but he was smooth. I could never do his center stand technique. I never had any trouble putting any of my Norton's on the center off the bike UNTIL my current one. It's a 75' and seems the center stand is longer then any of the other Norton's I've had. I can do it, just needs a little more effort!

 

[Onder]

I used to throw all my (marginal) weight on the front and then when it came back off the springs Id pull it back on the bars with all
my strength whilst standing on the footie bit on the stand.
Cannot do that anymore.
Now one foot against the back of the stand leg, pick up the rear frame rail at the side aft of the shock, lift, pull back, kick the stand
forward!
Stop laughing. I would post a video but it would go viral on youtube and Id die of terminal embarrassment.

 

[Tornado]

I keep hearing folks having trouble with CS on different bikes. The modern Bonneville was a struggle for me until I studied some videos on UTube, even flip-flop cladded, shorts wearing blokes lifting giant cruiser bikes with apparent ease. The trick was to grab hold of frame at the lowest accessible point with right hand, then using a straight back, press down with foot on the stand arm...no tugging to the rear or stressing the back. Just like taking a big stair step really. Bonneville just pops up even though much heavier than the Commando, which is trivial with this method.

 

[Flatspot]

I tried his method this afternoon returning from a quick spin.

it was imfrickinpossible!

the guy in the video is either Hercules, or it was photoshopped.

 

[EstuaryBoy]

Like others I was daft (dumb?) enough to try.... Studied the video for foot position, body et al (ain't this lockdown great, so much time to waste)
So: First couple of attempts I'm thinking: 'No way, Jose'.. But, was standing/leaning as far back as I could, assuming that would help. Tried standing further forward and bung ho!! Success! Once sorted can't say it wasn't awkward, possibly due to unfamiliarity, but not unduly Herculean either.
But I doubt it'll become my 'go to' of choice for getting it up

 

[rvich]

Ever put your bike up on the center stand somewhere that had a hump under the center of the bike? It causes the rear wheel to lift higher off the ground and it can be a real bastard getting the stand down. Try it again in a slump where the rear tire barely lifts. It's easy right? Well think about this in relation to tire sizes, inflation and whether the shocks are set up stiff.

 

[Del]

I too have been having trouble getting my 1973 Interstate on the center stand. I figured that I was just getting too old for this sport. A week ago I decided to take off the center stand to see if something was worn, bent or broken. I first noticed that the offset spacers were a little worn. But when I looked closer I saw that one of the center stand tubes had cracked at a joint. The center stand been welded twice before so I ordered a new one with all the extra bits form Old Britts. It is an Andover kit and looks beautifully made and finished. The fit was perfect. But the big news is that the bike now rolls on the stand just like it used too!