Any ideas?

I received a 73 Commando with an 18" rear wheel. The shocks are standard 12.9" long. The problem is that now it's a real bear to haul it up on the center stand including the possibility of tipping over every time.
The solution (s) is to put the original 19" rim and tire back on. Approx $700, rim, tire, spokes and labor. Or change shock length, perhaps 1/2" longer? and much cheaper. What is the downside of using longer shocks?

I use 13.5" shocks on my 850, 18" Rear and 19" front, K81 Dunlops. Mostly to get the rake and trail back to standard.
Centerstand works fine, but the rear wheel is pretty close to the ground - My centerstand pivots may need to be looked into.

Did it make it easier to put it on the center stand?

If you have a welder or a mate with one just shorten it a bit
Or junk the centre stand

seattle##gs said:

I received a 73 Commando with an 18" rear wheel. The shocks are standard 12.9" long. The problem is that now it's a real bear to haul it up on the center stand including the possibility of tipping over every time.
The solution (s) is to put the original 19" rim and tire back on. Approx $700, rim, tire, spokes and labor. Or change shock length, perhaps 1/2" longer? and much cheaper. What is the downside of using longer shocks?

Click to expand...

IMHO, the only noticeable downside of longer shocks is interference with the chain guard. the 13.4" shocks have the standard-length bottom part. Proper Norton rear shocks have a longer bottom part. The new Girling shocks have a little adjustment in overall length and bottom length which might resolve that.

I see no reason why the rear wheel will make it significantly hard to put on the center stand with the later stand that is on a 73. Stand on the stand lever and lift the frame with your right hand. My right shoulder is destroyed and needs to be replaced and I can still easily do it. I did it several times yesterday with a 73 850 Interstate with a full tank of gas and a cNw e-start. You may need to look into the stand itself.

You could test by putting the rear wheel on a 1x4 and see if it is actually easier (a 1x4 will make the rear wheel close to the equivalent overall diameter of a 19" wheel)

I'll try the 1/4" plywood idea.
This bike requires a lot of effort to put it on the stand. The feet of the stand earlier than they should.

I run 18" rear on my 74 850...no big problems getting up on CS. There is a definite technique that works well....got to grab the bike with the right hand as low as practical before straightening the bent leg/foot on the CS peg, motion should be essentially straight up, not trying to drag it rearwards., and using the leg muscles and not the back or arm to drive bike vertically. If you are grabbing bike too high up in the frame, you will have much harder time.

seattle##gs said:

I'll try the 1/4" plywood idea.
This bike requires a lot of effort to put it on the stand. The feet of the stand earlier than they should.

Click to expand...

Sorry typo - meant 1x4 not 1/4". A 1x4 is about 3/4" thick. I edited the post.