Center Stand Rehab

[montmil]

It's always something, ain't it?

Last week, I completed replacing the '83 R65s pushrod tube seals. I've since been out on the bike several times, building up the engine to normal operating temps and checking for any weeps, seeps or leaks. It's dry.

I'm now ready to tackle the R100S tube seals. Only one is 'seepy' but it really would be penny-wise and pound-foolish not to do all four. As long as I've pulled the exhaust system, I may as well detach the worn center stand and cart it off to Hoop's, my favorite machine and welding shop in town.
    I'll have them build up weld on the terribly worn spots, then I'll spend some quality time grinding and shaping and making a huge mess in the shop.   At the frame-to-stand contact points, everything looks like new. Lucky there.

This photo ought to explain why the R100S is so hard to get on n' off the center stand. Dat's sad. In a couple days, I'll post up a photo of the repairs. Now, on to the tube seals...

[Ed Miller]

I love the smell of hot metal.

[montmil]

I love the smell of hot metal.

Pretty Wife recently spotted the tiny, melted spots on my once pristine polar fleece jacket liner that just happened to catch a few hot bits coming off the grinder. Will go back to my nasty, old flight jacket when I grind the center stand welds to profile.

I got off the "damaged clothing" hook by telling her I did wear eye and hearing protection... this time.

[montmil]

There's a truism within the military community: No plan survives contact with the enemy. And so it went with my plan for a quick welding repair on the R100S center stand.

The antagonist was my usually attentive to customer service welding shop that sat on my job, untouched, for nine days. I now have a new favorite that completed the job with next day service.

The change in contractor was especially nice as the shop handled grinding down the weld build-ups and correcting the ground down, egg-shaped foot pad... all this done unasked. They even discounted the price when I showed up with a six-pack as a thank you for the prompt service.

The repaired areas look better than my photo would indicate. I also enjoyed one of their 16 oz "tall boys".  [smiley=beerchug.gif]

Now I'll add another coat of paint before reinstalling the stand. BTW, any tips on fitting those stout springs back onto the center stand's pegs?

[georgesgiralt]

Hello Monte,
On my '82 R65 putting the springs back is very easy provided you put the bike on the centre stand first. This way the springs are not extended (well only a wee bit) and it is an easy job.
I don't know the status for the big sister, though...

[Matt Chapter]

BTW, any tips on fitting those stout springs back onto the center stand's pegs?

I can tell you what not to do: use a screwdriver to stretch the springs, then leave it in between as you take the bike off the stand.

Stand and spring still work fine, even though the spring looks a bit like this: >

[montmil]

Centerstand is on and the sprigs were no trouble when following geaogesgiralt tip. I did have to grind off a little bit of the foot stomp pad to permit the left-side leg to make full ground contact. Far easier to remove a bit of metal than to need more.

What a huge difference in the ease of putting the bike up n' down, on n' off the stand. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]