Longer kickstand

[Tim Tom]

I had the same issue. I opted to go for the weld a something on the one ive got route. Made a steel heel out of some scrap and it works perfectly. Provides the correct angle to keep it from tipping the other way and ease the load when standint it up. If you do go this way be sure to set the welder really hot you your welds adhere to the cast kickstand.

[koolaid_kid]

I had the same issue. I opted to go for the weld a something on the one ive got route. Made a steel heel out of some scrap and it works perfectly. Provides the correct angle to keep it from tipping the other way and ease the load when standing it up. If you do go this way be sure to set the welder really hot you your welds adhere to the cast kickstand.

bwringer has a welder he is just itching to use. What is a "steel heel"? Would you mind posting a picture of it?
Mine is so bad that the only thing I use the sidestand for is dismounting. Once dismounted, I put it on the centerstand. 100% of the time. A real PITA.
Thanks, Tim Tom.

[Tamara]

I had the same issue. I opted to go for the weld a something on the one ive got route. Made a steel heel out of some scrap and it works perfectly. Provides the correct angle to keep it from tipping the other way and ease the load when standint it up. If you do go this way be sure to set the welder really hot you your welds adhere to the cast kickstand.

If mine is too worn, I may go the welding route. I've looked at some of the ones on ebay and they look pretty rough.

[bwringer]

It looks like a hockey puck 'cos that's what it is...




Did you know that most hockey pucks these days are made in the Czech Republic?



The process of making hockey pucks is rather fascinating.

[bwringer]

There's a guy on the V-Strom forum who welded an old sprocket to his kickstand in a similar way.

If you're not into hockey pucks, any chunk of steel welded or bolted to the kickstand would work to make the "foot" of the kickstand a little taller, and it's a lot safer than cutting the kickstand in the middle and welding in an extension -- if the weld or bolt breaks, you still have a kickstand.

Before you get too far, make sure your kickstand bolt is in good shape -- I've seen a couple of bikes leaning way too far over simply because the bolt was about to fall out. Also make sure the kickstand and its frame bracket aren't bent or cracked.

[Tamara]

There's a guy on the V-Strom forum who welded an old sprocket to his kickstand in a similar way.

If you're not into hockey pucks, any chunk of steel welded or bolted to the kickstand would work to make the "foot" of the kickstand a little taller, and it's a lot safer than cutting the kickstand in the middle and welding in an extension -- if the weld or bolt breaks, you still have a kickstand.

Before you get too far, make sure your kickstand bolt is in good shape -- I've seen a couple of bikes leaning way too far over simply because the bolt was about to fall out. Also make sure the kickstand and its frame bracket aren't bent or cracked.

Those are good pointers. Once hubby puts it on the center stand, I can get a closer look at the state of affairs.

[Tim Tom]

My steel heel was just a scrap bit of 1/8" wall square tube. Used a big hammer to shape it so it fit on the kickstand better, welded on a bottom plate, then welded the heel to the kickstand. Presto a steel heel. I`ll try and find a picture later tonight. Its crude but very effective.

[mrbill5491]

I'll have hubby put it up on the center stand for me and take a look.

Hey now, you need to learn how to do that! A lady friend I used to ride with had bought a fairly new BMW R1100S I believe, said she couldn't get it up on the center stand. The guy who owned the dealership wouldn't let her ride off until she got it up on the centerstand by herself. She learned the trick.

[Tamara]

Hey now, you need to learn how to do that! A lady friend I used to ride with had bought a fairly new BMW R1100S I believe, said she couldn't get it up on the center stand. The guy who owned the dealership wouldn't let her ride off until she got it up on the centerstand by herself. She learned the trick.

I've had the bike since 1985 and everyone has told me every trick in the book to get it up on the center stand and demonstrated them. Every single trick seems to involve being taller than 5' 1 1/2" and weighing more than 100 pounds.

The BMW salesman would have lost the sale if he tried that with me. The Suzuki salesman demonstrated how to put the bike up on the stand and then said with my size, it would be safer to have someone else do it for me.

[mrbill5491]

I've had the bike since 1985 and everyone has told me every trick in the book to get it up on the center stand and demonstrated them. Every single trick seems to involve being taller than 5' 1 1/2" and weighing more than 100 pounds.

The BMW salesman would have lost the sale if he tried that with me. The Suzuki salesman demonstrated how to put the bike up on the stand and then said with my size, it would be safer to have someone else do it for me.

Hmmm, maybe cutting the center stand down just a bit might work for ya? Have your hubby set it up and measure how much space you between the bottom of the rear tire and the ground. You might be able to shave an inch or so off and make it easier to at least get it up. Sometimes you just need the stability of the center stand offers parking in some places.