Side stand issues

I read in another thread about the dislike of the commando side stand and I agree. I have short legs making it impossible to use the side stand without getting off the bike. I've already made a seat that allows me to at least have the balls of my feet on the ground but I still can't open the damn stand. Has anyone come up with some kind of modification that makes it easy to put the stand down while remaining on the bike. This bike was made to be ridden by folks over 6' tall :evil:

Art

well, I have had friends simply cut off the extension thing and weld a longer one on, worked for them

this helps them to get their foot on it better and then kick it open

it IS a lousy design, I don't know why one could not weld a more modern type short side stand on in somehow

it is hard enough going through life being vertically challenged, you don't need this further aggravation

wasn't it Randy Newman who sang "Short people got no rights"? He must have owned a Commando

My friends used to bust my chops when "Short People" first came out. I love the song and have it on my Ipod. As far as welding an extension on I can't see how that would work. As you push out on the stand the angle of the extension still points away from you. For an extension to be effective I think it would have to be placed at something like a 45 degree angle pointing under the frame. I'll have to take a picture of what I mean, I can't explain it clearly.

Art

1up3down said:

it IS a lousy design, I don't know why one could not weld a more modern type short side stand on in somehow

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Couldn't disagree more, this side stand will even let you park your Commando on the beach 8) Being 6'2 tall I love this side stand.

tall people got no right to disagree with short people!

bentrod said:

I read in another thread about the dislike of the commando side stand and I agree. I have short legs making it impossible to use the side stand without getting off the bike. I've already made a seat that allows me to at least have the balls of my feet on the ground but I still can't open the damn stand. Has anyone come up with some kind of modification that makes it easy to put the stand down while remaining on the bike. This bike was made to be ridden by folks over 6' tall :evil:

Art

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You have to get off the bike to use the centerstand, so why not the side stand? Don't understand the problem. I'm 5'9" with a 30" leg inseam and cannot put both feet flat on the ground sitting on the roadster.

I'm 70 years old, with my left foot on the ground it's tough to lift my right leg over the bike. Hip problems. It's really necessary to put the side stand down before getting off the bike. I have no problems with my 69xlh or my 74 R90s, although the R90s has a Browns side stand. The stock R90 side stand presented the same problem as the Commando, too far forward on the frame.

Art

I rather like the later Commando side stand. The little 1/4 inch curved rod on the end sticks up when the stand is down and points side ways when the stand is up. I welded one on my stand that is about 4 inches long and bent it so that it sticks out from under the pipe when the stand is up. I catch it with my heal as I come to a stop and kick it forward which pops the side stand right down. Hit the brakes and lean left and just let the whole bike sort of thud over on the side stand as you come to a stop.

One small consideration is the stop at the pivot end which must not let the stand go too far under the bike when the stand is up or the little end thing wont stick far enough out to let you catch it with your heal. If that is worn too much it will have to be welded up and then filed down to make a positive stop when the stand is up. I don't have the little rubber stopper thing on there any more so I just let the hinge take care of the travel in both directions. If the pivot bolt is loose it will also let the stand go too far up.

Cheers.

My side stand seems loose where the bolt goes through.
So if popped up a little fast the peg with the rubber stopper slips under the frame, making hard to get stand out.
I'm thinking the hole in stand is ovaled out.
Looks like maybe a sleeve in there.
Is this a replaceable item?
I can't see one in the parts book.
Suggestions?

TIA
Bob

My side stand seems loose where the bolt goes through.
So if popped up a little fast the peg with the rubber stopper slips under the frame, making hard to get stand out.
I'm thinking the hole in stand is ovaled out.
Looks like maybe a sleeve in there.
Is this a replaceable item?
I can't see one in the parts book.
Suggestions?

Click to expand...

06-5491 is the bushing for a Mark III side stand and 06-5436 is the bolt. I didn't see a part or part# in the 750 parts manual either. On the Mark III the bolt tightens down on the bushing and lets the stand pivot on that without clamping down in it. It sounds like yours has the bushing so making a new one or getting the Norton one should do the trick.
Dan.

motorson said:

My side stand seems loose where the bolt goes through.
So if popped up a little fast the peg with the rubber stopper slips under the frame, making hard to get stand out.
I'm thinking the hole in stand is ovaled out.
Looks like maybe a sleeve in there.
Is this a replaceable item?
I can't see one in the parts book.
Suggestions?

Click to expand...

06-5491 is the bushing for a Mark III side stand and 06-5436 is the bolt. I didn't see a part or part# in the 750 parts manual either. On the Mark III the bolt tightens down on the bushing and lets the stand pivot on that without clamping down in it. It sounds like yours has the bushing so making a new one or getting the Norton one should do the trick.
Dan.

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Dan

Thanks.
I'll get the Mark III bush and see how it goes.

Bob

rx7171 said:

Thanks.
I'll get the Mark III bush and see how it goes.

Bob

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Bob,
According to my parts book the side stand bushing for the 750 Commando is p/n 062871. Beginning with the 850 Mark II/IIA they started using a different side stand and a different bushing which is p/n 065491. I am thinking that the difference between the 2 bushings is that on the 850 Mark II/IIA and 850 Mark III's they used a thicker side stand at the pivot point which would require a longer bushing and a longer bolt. I am really not certain of that information but it is my best guess, and seeing how you have a 750 I am sure you would need the p/n 062871 bushing.

The Triumph Daytona has the perfect side stand. You don't have to look or hunt for it, just push your foot down in the general area behind the footpeg and it's down. Just a short little piece of aluminum round stock situated at exactly the right location to give the bike maximum support yet be so easy to use.
I built a similar stand for the Project bike, but that was before I had the Triumph. For that one I copied the stand for the 1974 250 Ossa Mick Andrews Replica Trials bike. I have owned three of these over the last forty years and always liked the simple lightweight stand that Mick devised. It also catches the bike near the midpoint . Like the Daytona, it can be operated from the seat without searching or even looking for it.
Aside from being really easy to operate, over the years I noticed that no matter what terrain I parked the Ossa on , the stand gave great support. I'm pretty sure that a shorter person could easily operate either of these stands.

I find the Commando MK3 stand to be a bit awkward, tho not too bad. I can see where it would be quite difficult for a shorter person to operate. I might remove the stock stand and try to replicate either the Triumph or the Ossa stand, both are very good.

Glen

worntorn said:

.............. Just a short little piece of aluminum round stock situated at exactly the right location to give the bike maximum support yet be so easy to use.......

I find the Commando MK3 stand to be a bit awkward, tho not too bad. I can see where it would be quite difficult for a shorter person to operate. I might remove the stock stand and try to replicate either the Triumph or the Ossa stand, both are very good.

Glen

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That's what I need to do, I just have to figure out the attachment to the frame, probably some kind of strut between both frame rails to provide a secure attachment for the side stand. Glen, any pictures?

Art

Here's a photo of the Ossa style stand on the Project bike. It is a simple rugged design. I'll get a close up of that and the Triumph stand as well.
Glen

worntorn said:

The Triumph Daytona has the perfect side stand. You don't have to look or hunt for it, just push your foot down in the general area behind the footpeg and it's down. Just a short little piece of aluminum round stock situated at exactly the right location to give the bike maximum support yet be so easy to use.

Glen

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Glen, would the Triumph Daytona side stand work for a 1970 Commando? Mine is a real PITA, I definitely cannot find it with my foot and really would like to improve that. Though I believe that the side stand for the 68-70 is different than other models?

Thanks

I don't think it would work without modifications. The bike is buried behind machinery right now so I'll dig it out tomorrow and take some pics. I think the idea would be to Fab up a stand that sits in about the same location as the Daytona stand but fits the Commando.

Glen

that's what I thought and make sense, thank you

So here is the Triumph stand in operation. I was mistaken, it isn't behind the footpeg, it is in front of it. The bottom footpiece lines up about directly under the footpeg when the stand is up.
The stand on the Egli type project bike is behind the footpeg and it is easier to use than the Norton stand, however I think the position of the Triumph stand is better than the Egli (Ossa type) stand and even easier to use. Should be a snap for short riders well.
Glen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7snZUVIw ... ata_player

Re: Side stand issues Opinions Please!

Glens side stand pictures inspired me to come up with this. This is just a template, the final piece would be made from 1/2" billet. The brake assembly would stand out 1/2" further from the primary cover but I don't see any downside to that. I made it to fit a Browns side stand but could be made to fit most any other type. What do you think? Any problems with this setup?















Art