Frame modification to kick on side stand

marshg246 said:
I've never seen the lug move on a 71-74 Commando (I'm sure some have), but I've been involved with three MK3s that the lug bent upward by collapsing the frame tube. In each case the extended part that is welded to the crossmember broke loose and they appeared to only be tacked. I assumed it was from sitting on the bike on the side stand - in each case the owner said that they never kick started the bike. In one case, I changed the frame and in two, just had a new lug installed with weld to fill the depression in the frame tube and the lug well welded to the frame (the welder's recommendation). Had to provide the welder with a bare good frame for an example to put the new lug on at the right angle and they were bare frame rebuilds.
Click to expand...
Yes, the lug itself stays good , the tube bends inwards , or the lug weld eventually cracks and fails .
All of this due to repeated kicking to get a start up on the prop stand .
It's a prop stand , for temporary parking only , no kicking weight to ever be applied , or a heavy sitting weight whilst the machine is leaned over to the left side , too .
There's only 2 people who a Norton owner should be honest with : their doctor and mechanic . Wives are electoral .
I'm a liar fisherman so it doesn't count for much .
Enjoy .
 
danfr said:
Was your wear due to you kicking it while the bike was on the side stand or from simply parking the bike on the side stand?
Click to expand...
Perhaps many hours/miles vibrating while cruising down the road with the side stand up?
 
baz said:
Let's not forget the reason the side stand pivot wears out on a commando is the shear length and weight of the stand
As pointed out by commoz sometime back
It's riding the bike that does it, the stand constantly being jolted up and down that wears the pivot out
Once he fitted a retaining clip to stop the stand from bouncing
It stopped the wear
Click to expand...
I never thought about that.

Makes perfect sense.

Same must apply to centre stands too. Ensuring strong springs that hold things firmly against the stops must therefore also be a thing to check.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I never thought about that.

Makes perfect sense.

Same must apply to centre stands too. Ensuring strong springs that hold things firmly against the stops must therefore also be a thing to check.
Click to expand...
It's not so bad for the centre stand I don't think because it pivots vertically
 
Yes - I am an advocate of making sure the pivot is not sloppy - that's where the wear starts. I weighed my side stand - just over 1kg - serious weight!
I use TAC2 to lube and use a lock nut and hardened steel washers to ensure it stays as adjusted. 👍 👍
Cheers

PS: a hardened steel washer between the nuts ensures a spanner can't get hold of both nuts - don't ask how I know:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
baz said:
Let's not forget the reason the side stand pivot wears out on a commando is the shear length and weight of the stand
As pointed out by commoz sometime back
It's riding the bike that does it, the stand constantly being jolted up and down that wears the pivot out
Once he fitted a retaining clip to stop the stand from bouncing
It stopped the wear
Click to expand...
Do you have any more info (link, etc) on the Comnoz "clip"? Anything Jim does is always worth looking at!
Cheers
 
robs ss said:
Do you have any more info (link, etc) on the Comnoz "clip"? Anything Jim does is always worth looking at!
Cheers
Click to expand...
No
I remember the photo I think it was a pad of rubber on a flat bracket
So as you retracted the stand it's weight was taken? Hopefully someone will find the photo because my memory ain't brilliant!
 
www.accessnorton.com

Side stand upgrade

The Commando side stand issues have been a topic of discussion (derision?) here for some time. It seems to me it is a design intended for an era of unimproved road and roadside surfaces that benefited from distributing the load over a wider surface. Problem is that it transmits the load as a...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

you will find a pic of Jim'S clip in that post
 
marinatlas said:
www.accessnorton.com

Side stand upgrade

The Commando side stand issues have been a topic of discussion (derision?) here for some time. It seems to me it is a design intended for an era of unimproved road and roadside surfaces that benefited from distributing the load over a wider surface. Problem is that it transmits the load as a...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

you will find a pic of Jim'S clip in that post
Click to expand...
Not how I remembered it!! 🤣🤣🤣
 
www.accessnorton.com

side stand replacement

I have a 73 Commando 850 that I'd like to replace the side stand on. I have trouble with it not sticking out far enough to kick down after a ride. It's a bit tricky trying to find the side stand right next to the center stand and then getting your boot in there to find the side stand and drop it...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

May be that one ?:rolleyes:
 
marinatlas said:
www.accessnorton.com

side stand replacement

I have a 73 Commando 850 that I'd like to replace the side stand on. I have trouble with it not sticking out far enough to kick down after a ride. It's a bit tricky trying to find the side stand right next to the center stand and then getting your boot in there to find the side stand and drop it...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

May be that one ?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
No you were right the first time
I just remembered it differently
 
marinatlas said:
www.accessnorton.com

Side stand upgrade

The Commando side stand issues have been a topic of discussion (derision?) here for some time. It seems to me it is a design intended for an era of unimproved road and roadside surfaces that benefited from distributing the load over a wider surface. Problem is that it transmits the load as a...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

you will find a pic of Jim'S clip in that post
Click to expand...
Thanks!
I remember it now.
I actually got halfway through making one and got distracted.
I'll have another go!!
Cheers
 
Here's a cheap, effective mod that anyone can do.
Buy a few 7/16 hardened flat washers - I got grade 10.9 (unbrako) with OD of 23mm (stock are 19.5mm)
They are flatter, bigger and stronger than the originals.
I used 2 between the bolt head and the bush/stand as well as one under the top nut.

Next is a bit harder - measure the length of the bush and the thickness of the stand where it fits.
Chances are the stand will be at least 1mm less (due to wear over time).
Now file/grind/whatever the bush until it is "just" more than the stand - but flatness is very important.
This means that the hard washers come into play earlier, reducing slop.

Reassemble with good lube and torque well and Bob's yer uncle (and Bernard's yer aunt!)
Cheers
 
As an experiment and furthering on from post #28 I assembled the bolt, 2 hardened washers and the ground bush with loctite 243 (blue), clamped together overnight.
Next day assembled the whole lot (with TAC2) and it is the best I have seen it. No up/down play in the extended or "up" position.
In a week and 120ish miles all is still good.
Norton (IMHO) should have made a special, stepped bolt for this application - but the loctite is a good second.
Cheers
 

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