Center stand-shortened

[williamemack]

Recently I saw an article about taking a small section out of the R65 center stand to make it easier to opoerate. Now that the riding season is behind me, I can't find the article in this or any other forum. Anybody else see it and can help me locate?

Thanks,

Will

williamemack@aol.com

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Typically what makes the centerstand difficult to operate is it wearing down over time and getting shorter.

If your front tire is touching the ground when parked, it makes it hard to retract the stand.

To make mine work easier, I had steel plate welded to the bottom of the centerstand feet.  Back to like new!

[not-so-fast-ed]

Great Idea, Rob!

I need to do that too.

 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Ed

[Altritter]

You guys must be mind readers! I signed on today to post an inquiry about a thread I remember seeing, but couldn't locate, about sagging center stands. Mine has gotten worse in the past few weeks; had to have help getting it off the stand twice in the past month. My leg length is marginal for the standard R65 seat height anyway; I've played with the choice between alternatives that each can have a negative consequence — finding a lower seat (comfort) or installing shocks 1/2" shorter (handling). Though I can reach the ground with both feet nearly flat, I can't get enough traction & leverage to lurch it off the stand if the pavement has the slightest up-grade. (Makes parking-space selection an adventure.   )

My bike has a Brown side stand. I use it to park the bike when the engine is cold, but I've been reluctant to use the Brown after shutting down a hot engine. I read a cautionary posting (I think on the BMWMOA Airhead Forum) a few months ago that parking a hot airhead on the sidestand can cause oil to seep into the left jug past the rings thus (1) over the short term, causing the characteristic airhead white smoke cloud when restarting, and (2) over time, possibly contributing to premature carbon buildup in the left-side head. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

Thanks for posting the photo, Rob. This gives me something to show my airhead-owning colleague (R90/6) who runs an auto repair shop. He thinks he might be able to do the work in his shop. I had read about this fix, but I had trouble visualizing the shape of the weld. I think having the shop skills many of you guys have might not be a requirement for owning an airhead, but it certainly helps.

I haven't yet removed the center stand to see if inadequate lubrication of the mounting bolt(s) by the PO has caused the mounting hole(s) in the frame to become elongated. I understand that a different fix is required in that case. Any opinions, repair techniques, etc?

Guess my time will be occupied during the winter. (I'll be physically able to ride safely just in time to stare longingly at the bike in the garage for a about 3 months.   )

John

[Yikes]

I too would like to leanr about the frame hole elongation issue. I have the plates welded to the bottom of my stand legs and both my wheels touch the ground when on the centerstand and I'm wondering if the holes are the cause.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Unfortunately, about the only way to check for hole elongation, is to remove the stand from the frame.

I have only heard of this happening - last time I checked, mine were still round.

[montmil]

My 1981 R65 is also a real chore to dead lift onto the center stand. At home, I roll the rear tire onto a small piece of 3/4-inch plywood and the center stand issue goes away. I got too many strange looks when I would wear the plywood on a string around my neck while out riding so I quit that.

The '83 R65 is a whole different kettle of fish. Different design stand and no issue getting the bike up and on.

[not-so-fast-ed]

Monte, post pics of you wearing the plywood!!!

Could start a trend..

 

[williamemack]

Monte, I tried the plywood under the rear wheel trick , except I used 1" instead and it sure worked slick. Is this not similar to shortening the center stand by about 1/2 inch? My holes are not elongated, the stops are not worn, and the front wheel is about 1-1/2" off the ground. It strikes me that the lifting problem is caused by the angle of the stand on the pavement before lift and the amount of lift. Isn't it all about geometry? Shorter stand should cure both. Can you show us a picture of the 83 stand relative to the 81 without your having to remove the stands?

Will

[Altritter]

From montmil: << The '83 R65 is a whole different kettle of fish. Different design stand and no issue getting the bike up and on. >>

Hmmm. Anyone know if it's possible to hack an '83 center stand to fit a '79-'82 R65 frame?


 Also from montmil:  <<I got too many strange looks when I would wear the plywood on a string around my neck while out riding so I quit that. >>

You could explain that you're an orthodox [whatever faith], and the plywood is a prayer talisman.  Decorate it with some runes, etc.  

The plywood idea is great! Perhaps anyone with side cases could avoid the fashion issue by putting the plywood in one of the cases. (It would permit a slightly larger piece of plywood, also.)

[Barry]

I agree with Will on this one. I think the stand could be a little shorter and the geometry is not quite right. I've had severel bikes Triumphs and Japanese that had easier centre stands.

How to put it right though ?

What I have seen somewhere on the internet is the frame stops and angled tops of the stand legs built up with weld. This prevented the stand going too far over centre from vertical. It was claimed that the bike was easier to roll off the stand as you did not have to lift it up so much. There must be a trade off here between stability and ease of use. I could live with a little less stability.

Can't find that link but here's a good one on stand issues in general.


http://www.bmwscotter.com/procedures/centerstand_service/centerstand_service.htm#centerstand_repair#centerstand_repair

[Barry]

Here's the link I was originally looking for.

Scroll down the page almost half way to find the bit on centre stands.  Clicking on the pictures will open them up full size.

http://jhau.maliwi.de/mot/r100tic.htm

[montmil]

Monte, post pics of you wearing the plywood!!! Could start a trend..

Your wish is...

[montmil]

Monte, I tried the plywood under the rear wheel trick , except I used 1" instead and it sure worked slick. Is this not similar to shortening the center stand by about 1/2 inch? My holes are not elongated, the stops are not worn, and the front wheel is about 1-1/2" off the ground. It strikes me that the lifting problem is caused by the angle of the stand on the pavement before lift and the amount of lift. Isn't it all about geometry? Shorter stand should cure both. Can you show us a picture of the 83 stand relative to the 81 without your having to remove the stands? Will

Is this not similar to shortening the center stand by about 1/2 inch?   Makes sense to me, Williemack, but I don't want to go first. You want to be the test pilot maybe?  "It strikes me that the lifting problem is caused by the angle of the stand on the pavement before lift and the amount of lift. Isn't it all about geometry?'  Keep talking. I like what you're saying. Anybody saying "nay" about this thought train?

"Can you show us a picture of the 83 stand relative to the 81 without your having to remove the stands?"   I've got seven days off over Thanksgiving -No free time wise cracks, Cousin Ed- so I'll get some snaps for comparison. The '83 has a nice 'foot tab' to assist with getting the scooter up on the center stand. Me likey mucho.

Monte

[lamont]

BMW made a kit to replace the early stands with the better 82 up version, the kit is no longer made, but BOBS BMW told me all the parts are available separately, about 175.00.  Monte , thats a pretty white 65!