Center and Side stands

[Lucky_Lou]

Im sure the topic may have been covered before....
Im not happy with the bike on the center stand it doesn't feel too safe on any surface and the side stand isnt much better. Ive seen comments before about "sure foot" stands any help/advice appreciated
Ta Lou

[montmil]

IIRC, the SureFoot has a larger ground contact patch. Could you not similarly modify the existing R65 sidestand with a bit of torch work, check for binding and clearances, etc?

Or... as a wild west re-enactor, simply carry a flattened Lone Star beer can to tuck under the sidestand. That's about all Lone Star is good for...

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

Just for the sake of conversation, my '81 R65 has the same short comings that you mentioned, but my '84 LS center stand, is a 100 % improvement .

The only real difference between the two, is that on the LS the tubes that contact the pavement, are bent outwards, as opposed to the '81, where the tubes are parallel to each other, and it's amazing what a difference this makes .

So if you have access to cutters, welders and can fabricate a few thick sheet metal parts, I think you could solve the problem with a few hours of work .

[Darwin_R65]

how much slop is there in the pivot for the side stand.

Mine was quite bad, so I removed it (this involved removing the left hand exhaust pipe first, whereupon I expensively stuffed my exhaust nut, read warnings on the net involving this)

But I welded a bit more metal on to the pivot and filed it back flat and the bike stands about 10 degrees straighter now.

[Bob_Roller]

I had one of the 'ears' of the side stand break off (of course, it broke when I was putting it on the side stand, and fell over on me !!!!!), look at them, and see if they are opening up as well .

[Lucky_Lou]

Thanks for the response guys.....
Monte.... we didnt have beer cans in the WW only tins of peaches good idea though
Darwin..... i rewelded the stop on the sidestand when i rebuilt it theres no slop but i dont trust it on anything thats not level i nearly dropped the bike in a car park not long back.
Bob modifing it to the LS  style sounds like the answer i have cutting welded gear ect in my workshop ill post some pictures when i do the mod.
Thanks.....Lou

[bruce_launceston]

I hadn't realised that the early centrestands are narrower.
Most problems I have seen with R series centrestands are when they are worn so bad that both wheels still nearly touch the ground and getting them off the stand is a chore because they have to be lifted up and over.

I have never had any trouble with either stand on my LS, I use the centrestand almost everywhere and it is easy and secure.

[JDS]

I'd better look at that. when mines on the center stand it seems like its leaning to the right. fell over last week on the gravel. I just haven't looked but I going to do some welding next week so maybe I should modify it anyway. post your pictures.