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Center Stand assist

No Rob, this jacks up the right side. The left side is supported by the side(kick)stand. I know I've watched video on their use. Seems a bit precarious. Think I prefer the center stand for rear wheel/chain maintenance.
 
I've never had any problems with center stands, till I got a bike that didn't have one... Now that's what caused the problem.
 
I see no reason why you couldn't use these on each side of the swing arm. You would have to have the front wheel securely chocked to prevent the bike from rolling. They are mostly mean for rear wheel removal, chain maintenance, but having used one, they are not precarious, they are quite solid, 3 points define a plane, and there's a lot of weight on that 3rd point. Securing the front wheel is a must though, if it rolls forward, you could have a miss on your hands. Wrapping the front brake with some kind of cord would be enough, as that would lock the front wheel. It's like anything else though, there are some tools some people just shouldn't use. I have front and rear paddock stands for my bikes. You can't carry those with you though. Well, you could, but it would be a bit much. :)
 
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LAB3 said:
Just a plain old piece of two-by works wonders, I carry one in my trailer in case of a roadside repair or in my case Yamaha (xs1100) and Hondas (Goldwing) blunder of making it necessary to put the bike on the center stand to check the oil level.
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I understand that you have had several bikes. Which one did NOT require somehow holding the bike vertical to check the oil?

I have had several bikes myself, and have worked on many others. Some had sight glasses for oil checks, others had dipsticks. ALL of them required the bike to be vertical.

Obviously, a center stand makes the job a LOT easier.​
 
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I don't need to my bikes on the center stand to check the oil. Actually, you can tell how much oil you have in there by tilting it back and forth to see if it is way too low, (which I never let my bikes get). As far as doing an oil change, there is always the same amount you add, and again, you just grab the handlebar and tilt the bike towards you to look at the level in the sight glass. I've had several bikes with no center stand. My ZZR1200 doesn't have one because it has "Soupy's" lowering kit, and the center stand doesn't clear it, I lowered the bike one inch. My 1975 CB400F (Now a Kaz Yoshima CB458 cc race bike) has a hand bent pipe by Kaz Yoshima himself, and does not clear the center stand, never a problem. My 1983 GS750ES center stand arm broke off. I can still raise it, but it's like almost picking up the bike, so I just use a paddock stand. I have a new one for it but haven't got around to putting it on, again, oil changes, or servicing, no problem. You should know how much oil your bikes takes in any event. The sight glass is easy enough to use with one hand and standing the bike up. You just keep the side stand down in case you go to far in that direction, which I've never done. Paddock Stands are better for servicing though, these portable little stands are great for throwing in your saddle bar, or tank bag. They fold up pretty small. :)
 
Most bikes I've had, the manual says put on center stand to check oil, My dealer, back when I started riding, said not to check it while on the center stand, it won't show correctly... I've found the oil will show appx. 3/4 qt. lower when on the center stand, as the back of the bike is raised higher and oil is shifted more to the front, away from the sight glass. Now, who should I trust? I think I'll go with what the Factory Manuals say. .. I Just went and read the manual for my Kawasaki ZRX, that came with no center stand, it says hold bike level to ck. oil. I feel sure if the rear is lifted on one of those paddock stands it will read a little different.
 
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I just pull mine level to espy the sight glass.
This job is made more thrilling when the handlebar grip comes off...
 
I never found it difficult in the least to look at the sight glass with one hand on the grip, for the bikes that had no center stand. Having a center stand is nice but not mandatory, I can live without one but sure, they come in handy when you get a flat on the road. So does AAA.
 
You should know how much oil goes in your bike. The center stand thing is "Lawyer talk". If you lean the bike away and towards you, after a while, not will you only know how much oil is in there, but you will be able to determine how much it is using. A lot of older riders have trouble getting their bikes on the center stands. Whatever floats your boat. IMHO :)
 
"Older riders have trouble getting their bikes on the center stand". Shoot, that was backwards for me, when I was younger and didn't know how I had trouble getting it on the center stand, then I learned how and now, at 69, it still isn't a problem.
 
rphillips said:
"Older riders have trouble getting their bikes on the center stand". Shoot, that was backwards for me, when I was younger and didn't know how I had trouble getting it on the center stand, then I learned how and now, at 69, it still isn't a problem.
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I'm on a Norton forum and oh boy, it's an issue. That and the kick starting. Bad hips, knees, etc. But I'm sure the eyesight, peripheral vision and reflexes are A-OK! It's a drag, I laugh but it'll be me soon enough.
 
Wondering in "66" did center stands have a leverage pedal? especially the Nortons?
 
rphillips said:
Wondering in "66" did center stands have a leverage pedal? especially the Nortons?
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Yes, it has a lever. It is still basically useless though. There's a redesigned one available, about $200 with a better lever with a foot pad (like the GS) and doesn't lift the bike 3" off the ground. Bike also needs somewhere to grab added on. With a short straight lever, a too-high lift, and no handle, I'm just gonna remove it, I don't need to wrench my back or carry lumber around.
 
I wasn't riding back then, heck in "66" my parents didn't even want me around motorcycle, though I did slip off and sneak a ride when I got the chance. From what you said, too high lift, short straight lever, no lift handle was probably the norm back then. Evolution is good, (sometimes).
 
Rob S. said:
I was taught to stand on the centerstand's branch.
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Try that on the (GSX)1100G, lol. I take it you mean the pedal part that sticks out. I've a vague-ish memory of "Is it possible to actually bend that thing?" when doing that, since it didn't respond well to anything for me. And I'm 200+.
 
I ride a "91" GSX1100G, The pedal was broke off it when I got it, as most of them did. I put the newer reinforced "92" or "93" model one on there, and it's the easiest of my bikes to get up. No clue if they changed the leverage those yrs or not, I thought they just reinforced the pedal.
 
Mine was '91 too. My technique prob coulda used some improvement. But yeah, hardest of the bikes I've had to get up.
 
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