Center stand mind game

[Steve]

Trivia: what was the first modern-era motorcycle to come without a centerstand?

(Standard or sportbike, not big touring rigs.)

Apparently Harleys don't qualify as "modern-era", but I have not seen a centerstand on ANY Harley, regardless of year.

They might exist, but I have not seen one.

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[JamesWhut?]

I don't think they come standard on "modern-era" HDs but some older panheads and the like came with them. The aftermarket makes bolt-on and removable centerstand kits ones (the equivalent of a swingarm "race stand"). Use your G00gle-fu grasshoppa'.

Harleys really don't have much need for a center-stand because all of the limited regular maintenance can be done on the side stand, pretty much just oil checks & changes and reattaching aftermarket parts that fall off . Valves are hydraulically self adjusting, and the final drive belts last as long as car timing belts. In the event of a flat, HD owners fall into two camps, those who call Triple A and those who use fix-a-flat or know how to lever up onto the sidestand to get the wheel off to change a tube to get home/to a shop.

[GSCafe]

Dang it, I love my center stand, but with a 550 cafe I could do without the weight. I've been trying to figure out what paddock stand would work for me.

[Lorenzo]

When idling the engine from a cold start, with the bike on the lateral peg, the right hand carter bearings are going to starve
of oil, when they need it most...

[Steve]

When idling the engine from a cold start, with the bike on the lateral peg, the right hand carter bearings are going to starve
of oil, when they need it most...

Not sure what you are calling "carter bearings" (I realize there is a language difference), but all the bearings are fed by pressurized oil, so there is no starvation.

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[Rob S.]

Apparently Harleys don't qualify as "modern-era", but I have not seen a centerstand on ANY Harley, regardless of year.

Forgot about them.

When idling the engine from a cold start, with the bike on the lateral peg, the right hand carter bearings are going to starve
of oil, when they need it most...

I've read something like that. One of the reasons I keep a brick under the side stand at home (I don't take the brick with me).

Harley's aside, first without a center stand? GSX-R?

[Lorenzo]

Rg500 ....??

for the brick, suit yourself... unless it's forbidden by the law; just imagine in case you carry a pillion... conspiracy to carry an offensive implement...

In that case, do not conceal it...!!

[dorkburger]

I wouldnt be without one. When in the garage the kids like to sit on the bike. I wont let them near if its on the sidestand for fear of it tipping over. And maintenance is easier. Last year when I picked up a screw in the rear tire while out of state, the parking lot repair would have been markedly more difficult.

[Rob S.]

...conspiracy to carry an offensive implement...

In that case, do not conceal it...!!

If I wanted to carry a weapon for cars, I would use the old Angel's trick of filling a glass baby food jar with black paint. Adjust a cager's attitude by tossing in at their windshield.

And believe me, I have thought about it.

[Rob S.]

Rg500 ....??

Good answer! Predates the GSX-R by about a year, right?

[Brendan W]

Not sure what you are calling "carter bearings" (I realize there is a language difference), but all the bearings are fed by pressurized oil, so there is no starvation.

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In France 'carter' would be the crankcase.

[Lorenzo]

Good answer! Predates the GSX-R by about a year, right?

I think them both came out the same year (1985)

[Lorenzo]

In France 'carter' would be the crankcase.

Dunno 'bout "les frogs" but if you feed --> carter motore <-- into google and look for the images result, you will see what I meant

[Lorenzo]

Not sure what you are calling "carter bearings" (I realize there is a language difference), but all the bearings are fed by pressurized oil, so there is no starvation.

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Q
Steve, same invitation (google) as above.
What you say might be certainly right, I will have to investigate more, into the matter, to offer an answer which could rise to "good policy" status;
In actual fact I was speaking from my personal experience, listening to a thicking sound, while idling with bike on sidestand, and the noise disappearing when putting the machine on the vertical.
Further comments on the issue are welcomed.

[Steve]

In actual fact I was speaking from my personal experience, listening to a thicking sound, while idling with bike on sidestand, and the noise disappearing when putting the machine on the vertical.
Further comments on the issue are welcomed.

Does this noise sound continuously or does it happen for a few seconds, then go away for a few seconds, then return?

If this issue can be repeated, please try something: leave the bike on the sidestand, increase the engine speed to about 1500 RPM, maybe a little more. If the sound goes away, it might be what we call "cam walk". The thrust bearings on the cams can wear a bit, allowing the cam to "walk" sideways, making a little noise in the process. With increased engine speed, the increased tension on the cam chain pulls the cam to the center, eliminating the noise. Placing the bike in a vertical position can have the same effect.

If that is your noise, there is no need to worry about it. It will never get better, but it also never seems to get any worse. My wife's bike made that noise when we got it, it still makes it now. That was 11 years and about 22,000 miles ago.

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