SIDE STAND

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Maybe I'm an idiot but I can't figure out how to get the kick stand set out when I'm sitting on the bike. Is there some trick or technique-or is my left leg just too short to kick it out the whole way? Thanks, Rick
 
dfndr said:
Maybe I'm an idiot but I can't figure out how to get the kick stand set out when I'm sitting on the bike.


= Dismount?

It certainly is awkward getting the stand down whilst sitting on the bike, and I normally push it down as far as I can get it with the prong, then I slide my foot up the stand to the stop rubber, as that allows me to push it the rest of the way down.
 
sidestand

hi all yeah i find i have to dismount first to get the stand out with out struggling with it . have a ducati same thing dismount ing first .thanks from the vertical challenged
 
Vertically challenged also at 5' 9". What I do is sit forward, lean off seat a little and using the tang pivot the stand with the sole of the boot as far forwards as possible and just before you run out of reach flick it a bit more. If you get it right it works!
 
I'm 5' 9" and have no problems with getting the side stand out while on the bike, and I have short legs. Maybe the MKIII stand over hight is slightly different perhaps, but I doubt it. I simply lean the machine slightly to the right and flick out the side stand with my foot.

The centre stand is the one I have trouble with. I have no rear grab rail so trying to hike that beast up onto the centre stand with one quick jerk can get a bit dicey for me at times.
 
Coco said:
The centre stand is the one I have trouble with. I have no rear grab rail so trying to hike that beast up onto the centre stand with one quick jerk can get a bit dicey for me at times.




Putting the bike up on the main stand should be reasonably easy, if full bodyweight is applied to the man stand lever (normally using the right foot) so that your bodyweight is doing the majority of the work, and your arms shouldn't be doing much more than steadying the bike.


I'd try to avoid lifting with a "quick jerk" if possible, as that can strain the stand and its pivots as the stand hits the stops. If you can use your bodyweight then you should be able to get the bike on the main stand in a controlled and easy movement.
 
Coco,
Bit of a short arse myself, however, the main stand shouldn't give you a problem if you put all your weight on the tang and lever the bike over.
Hell I thought it was only me had that side stand problem, I have been thinking of welding a tang half way along, perhaps I should get started.

Cash
 
I have no rear grab rail
The grab rail is too high to be of much help here. I place my right hand under the frame loop just behind the rear shock and step on the stand tang as I gently lift. A slight rearward roll to initiate the feat can help, but don't get carried away.

The sidestand requires hooking the end tang with your heel and sliding your foot down the stand until it is fully extended (unless you have a '68-70 model stand).

35 years of practice and it will be a piece of cake. :lol:
 
I don't have a problem hooking my foot round the tang on the sidestand but I run a Roadster. I can imagine that the rearward riding position that comes with the Interstate tank could make things difficult.

Mainstand ease is dependent on the pivots being in good condition and that the curves on the feet are still intact. It can also be influenced by changing wheel sizes.
 
cash said:
Coco,
Bit of a short arse myself, however, the main stand shouldn't give you a problem if you put all your weight on the tang and lever the bike over.
Hell I thought it was only me had that side stand problem, I have been thinking of welding a tang half way along, perhaps I should get started.

Cash

I've got bad shoulders, carpal tunnel in the wrists and a few compressed discs so the center stand always gives me a bit of grief. All those years of hard landings and crashes while skateboarding and BMX racing has caught up with me.

I can always do it but sometimes it's a pain in the arse due to my rickety 37 year old body. I sound like a creaky old wood floor sometimes. :wink:
 
I've got bad shoulders, carpal tunnel in the wrists and a few compressed discs so the center stand always gives me a bit of grief. All those years of hard landings and crashes while skateboarding and BMX racing has caught up with me.

Coco,
Stick with the side stand mate, just take care it doesn't snap when kickstarting off it.

Cash
 
The side stand on my Roadster doesn't have a tang on it. I usually just dismount and lever it up on the center stand. If I'm putting it on the side stand, I just reach under the left pipe with my hand and pull it out (I always wear gloves!)

On another note:
The kickstart lever on my bike is not a stock Norton, its an RS. When rotated out, the footpeg dips down a little. If I try to start the bike while in the saddle, I end up pushing the rubber off the peg. I've gotten pretty good at kicking from the side of the bike, for which the lever is ideally placed.
 
'72 Roadster here also. I never heard of putting the sidestand down while still on the bike before!

I get off.. fish around for the end of the sidestand with my toe. Put it down then go find a rag or some tall grass to wipe the mixture of oil and road dirt that is now on my shoe. :roll:
 
Side and center stands

I have the same problem with the sidestand but while on the bike I use the tang then slide my foot along the stand and it pops out. As for the centerstand I just make my son get behind the bike and give a heave. Works every time .
 
If you still have the thin elongated tip on the stand, you fetch it with the tip of your toe, swing out nearly as far as possible, kick it the rest of the way out, then drop the bike in front of everyone becasue you didn't see it bounce back 1/3 of the way.

OR

Get off the bike, slide the stand all the way out, set it squarely down and walk away.
 
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