Side Stand Replacements

[Mike V]

Ok Guys,

I'm at the end of my toleration level with this OEM side stand on my 81 R65.  I wanted to get some opinions and recommendations on an aftermarket replacement from all of you.  I'm leaning toward the Brown since it seems to be very functional and stealthy, but am interested in some opinions from those of you who have conquered this engineering debacle from the BMW mother ship. I'm looking for a plug-and-play scenario, without any heavy tools, cutting and welding.

My side stand hinge tab seems to be either excessively worn or spread at the ball and hinge tab where it attaches the frame rail. When deployed the bike may as well be resting on the left jug.  I thought about heating, straightening and even maybe building it up with weld but I would prefer to remove the exhaust only one time and not fiddle about.

Send me some thoughts and preferences if you could.  After I resolve the Side Stand issue, we'll move on to the Center Stand replacement.

I want to mention the ONLY complaint I have about this bike is the side stand and center stand operation.

-Mike V. / San Diego

[Bob_Roller]

Mike, my '81 R65 started leaning over way too far when on the sidestand .

My first problem, one of the ' ears ' on the side stand was just about broken off, had to relace the side stand .

Happened again about 3 years later, started looking at it and the bracket that is welded to the frame that the side stand goes through, was cracked at the front end .

Havn't had the part welded yet, just use the centerstand now .

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x361/128as0050404/Picture_zps962e5cd0.jpg

[Barry]

Mike,

I believe the side stand on the early bikes is a different design as on mine removal is straight forward and doesn't even require the use of tools other than to remove the springs. Mine was decidedly sloppy and it wouldn't surprise me if it came from the factory like that. I improved it no end by custom making a shim to remove all of the free play and also by removing one of the two springs.  Other than the fact it's impossible to deploy from the seat  it works well enough now.

[Mike V]

My first problem, one of the ' ears ' on the side stand was just about broken off, had to relace the side stand .

Bob,

I believe this is exactly what I'm dealing with - the ears have spread and one may even be worn causing the bike to lean way too far left.  Shimming the ear did no good in my case and even caused the operation to be sticky and tight. The bike currently leans so far left that it makes me uncomfortable with the possibility one of the ears may snap and leave my bike on it's side.  The price of a new OEM is pretty close to an aftermarket, which I hear may be a huge improvement on the factory fitment.  It's hard for me to tell if the frame tab is damaged but my guess is it may have wear also which compounds the problem.

Edit: Actually it looks as though a new OEM is no longer available after a few Fiche searches. It's no wonder.

[Bob_Roller]

From what I've experienced with my '81, I'd go with the Brown sidestand, no more problems and in the same range of OEM parts .

Another item to add to my list of ' stuff ' to get !!!!!!

[AlfromNH]

My sidestand was really sloppy, like most. The majority of play was due to the pivot hole in the frame being elongated. I drilled it and the stand holes out to 1/2" and fabbed a pin from steel bar stock. It's pretty solid now, but the bike hasn't yet been off the bench. Time will tell how we'll it holds up.

[montmil]

Go Brown or go down.  I just thought that up...  

Mikey, If you have the early "Mini Ball" hernia-enhancement centerstand as I did on my '81, score a decent used centerstand from an '82 (maybe) or '83 >. These stands have a square-shaped foot pad -and perhaps a slightly different geometry- that makes the entire vertical parking mode so much easier. eBay was where I found mine.

[Justin B.]

I have a Brown on my '81 r100 and put one on the wife's '84 R65 - they're great.  The only issue I have is there is interference between the Brown and the Reynolds center stand on the R100...

[Mike V]

Go Brown or go down

A new Monte-ism?

Yes Monte, I have the Hernia-Induced Center Stand on my 81.  I'm seriously thinking of building up the stop tabs about 1/4" to 1/2" to limit a vascular blow-out getting the bike off the stand.  As it is now, I have nearly no clearance between the ground and tires.  And no rubber stopper or reserved spot for one on the frame when the center stand is retracted.  The current stop is the bottom of my Keihans.

[steve hawkins]

The other stand to look at is the 'Surefoot' stand.  I have put one on my old R65 and also one on my R100.

You can get the from Motorworks/Motobins.

Never seen a Brown though.

Rev. light

[Darwin_R65]

When my stand broke, I got a surefoot.

Half happy with it.

It's a great stand and supports the bike well.

When it's up, it gets tangled with the centre stand.
I can't put the centre stand down without playing with the side stand first.

I've adjusted the foot so it just clears the exhaust, but if i am cornering I"m worried it is going to scrape as it sticks out further than the original.

But it's better than no side stand, and was much easier than remanufacturing the tab on the frame.

John

[Matt Chapter]

But it's better than no side stand,

Eh.. the only people who use the side stand on my R65 are not me, i.e. the mechanic.  Can't reach the confounded thing while on the bike, and the center stand positioning takes up less space in the garage.

[georgesgiralt]

Matt,
Have you put a lenght of fuel pipe on the protruding bit of the side stand ? It helps reaching it while on the bike...

[Mike V]

Guys, I am the lucky fortunate recipient of a new Brown Side Stand from one of my generous airhead buddies here in town.  Looking forward to getting it installed this weekend, hopefully - unless someone else has made more important plans for me.

I'm not looking forward to dismantling the exhaust to remove the crappy OEM stand.  But it should force an opportunity to clean and paste the exhaust threads.  And maybe even polish up the Keihans a bit.  They don't look new any longer for some reason.

I'll post some pictures when I get to the work.  Looks like a very straight forward and easy installation to me.  Two bolts.

Anybody have any words of wisdom or tips that I need to know?

[clonmore1]

Looking forward to seeing the images Mike