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Center stand mind game

Rob S.

Rob S.

Forum Guru
Past Site Supporter
I'm still trying to figure out why my PO, or the previous PO, removed the center stand. I'm sure it's compatible with the V&H Street Meg.

First month or two of ownership, I planned on replacing it, but I eventually convinced myself that it was unneeded weight on an already overweight bike.

I have no plans on adding one, but the thought occurred to me that, while adding a few pounds, that might actually lower my center of gravity. Barely enough to be measurable, and certainly not enough to noticeably affect handling.

See what happens when my bike is broken for a few months?
 
Weight or cornering clearance is usually why they are removed.
 
I agree with postman_pat, and will go a step further. :-k

Just imagine how much less the bike would weigh if YOU were not on it. :encouragement:

The center of gravity would be MUCH lower, too.

.
 
Sure ,take off 10 lbs off 500 lbs bike and see what happens. Me, I carry that much weight in tools and spares!
 
Hi Rob, you need to get back in the saddle. You're losing bike molecules and at risk of becoming a certifiable fixer. :)
I picked up a screw a few weeks back, left the bike on the sidestand overnight and only discovered the problem the next day with the back tyre almost flat - 18psi was all that was left. The interesting bit was the angle of the bike. It had gone near vertical and looked as if the visiting feral cat could have toppled it easy.
 
Only took a few times scraping mine and decided to loose it.
Dang nasty sound and the bike kicking off to the side.
To scary!!!
 
Having the center stand on my bikes is priceless. Easier to replace and check oil level. Makes it possible to replace/rotate rear wheel. much more stable when working on bike. Add a jack at the front and you can remove front wheel or even the forks for maintenance.
 
Yeah, I would say the most common reason for removal of the center stand is due to aftermarket exhaust mods. Next is the scraping on harder cornering because it may be unsettling when you're suddenly riding metal in the corner and judging if the rear tire doesn't lose grip. Last I would say is due to weight savings, be it negligible. I doubt your center of gravity is going to be affected. If anything you will have slightly more weight lower on the bike with the extra 10 pounds or so.
The problem is when you're working on your bike, changing tires, and balancing a load when packing up for a camping trip. All good reasons to keep the center stand if you can. I personally think the bike will winter over better on the center stand than on the side stand. You can rock the bike occasionally to slosh the gas around, spin the rear wheel and when starting it put it gently through the gears carefully checking rear wheel clearance first (so you don't rocket across the garage). I've had bikes that the PO removed the centerstand and it was a PIA when working on them trying to rig something up just to do simple stuff.
 
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Center stand yes. Doesn't do you any good sitting on a shelf 100 miles from ya when ya need one.
 
My last bike, a '73 Z1, I used the center stand practically every time I dismounted the bike. Had that nice big grab rail up behind the seat.

Definitely feel my motorcycle molecules dissipating. Just waiting on the headlight assembly, then it'll be a matter of days. Hell, I even plan on getting a license. :xsmilie_mrgreen:

Mmm...probably should have done that while sitting here not riding for three months. Captain Hindsight to the rescue!

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

(Standard or sportbike, not big touring rigs.)
 
Define "modern-era"? Motorcycles have had centerstands since they were bicycles.
 
Rob S. said:
Trivia: what was the first modern-era motorcycle to come without a centerstand?

(Standard or sportbike, not big touring rigs.)
Click to expand...

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.

.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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...
 
Lorenzo said:
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...
Click to expand...

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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