Comedy Sidestand - Not that funny really

[steve hawkins]

All,

I noticed that my bike was leaning over a bit on the old sidestand and decided that this weekend I would have a look at it.

I do not have a centre stand on the old Cafe Racer, so I started by trying to remove the exhaust system on the bike to gain access to the side stand fixings with a view removal and inspection.

Oh dear, as I was leaning over the bike, using the exhaust nut spanner on the head nuts, the side stand collapsed and over went the bike.

It did not go straight down on the floor but got itself entangled with my son's pushbike that was leant against the wall.

One of the tangs on the sidstand had failed due to fatigue.  The final pressure of me removing the exhaust nut was enough to finish the job.  Looking at the break area it looks like a crack had developed some time ago, as more than half the width of the metal was discoloured due to corrosion.

The damage, other than the stand?  A tank repair and a new paintjob.  I have a large dent in the left side/rear of the fuel tank where a pushbike pedal came into contact with the tank

I have just ordered a surefoot, as I will not replace the existing sidestand.

The moral of the story...If you notice that the bike is leaning over slightly more that usual, do not put off investigating it!  And put it up on a box before you start.

Original stand has been in use for 29 years and 110000 miles so can't be too disparaging.  The last 4 or 5 it has been the only stand.

cheers

Steve

[jvwilliams]

Nightmare story Steve. A similar event left me with a dented tank in the garage.  Funny thing is, my homeowners insurance covered it 100% it was a '92 R75S and they paid $1,200 for a new tank. You might check with your insurer.

At least it didn't fall on you and break something.

That side stand you mentioned. I just bought an 82 R65 and the side stand is missing. Where do you get them?
The center stand sucks.

Thanks,
Jim

[Semper Gumby]

Good time to get a Brown Side stand.

[steve hawkins]

Surefoot sidestands are marketed by both Motobins and Motorworks, here in the UK.

Motorworks were slightly cheaper.

http://www.motobins.co.uk/index.php

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/

It would be a laugh to claim off the house insurance....

Cheers

[jvwilliams]

I felt funny about the homeowners insurance too for awhile. The agent didn't bat an eyelid.  I have been paying for the insurance for 30 years and never used it. Why the heck not?

[Justin B.]

Post a pic of your 75S if you have any...

[steve hawkins]

Well the Surefoot is fitted.  It does the job and looks pretty well made.  Keeps the bike more upright - perhaps now I will be able to put more fuel in the tank!  the actual stand length is adjustable as well

However, since my bike is 'non-standard', I have had a couple of issues with it.

1.  There is an adjuster bolt/locknut that controls the position of the stand in the up position.  I needed to change this for a longer bolt, as I have non-standard exhaust silencers.  So the stand does not touch the silencer when up.

2.  I am going to have to remove the tang that is used to deploy the stand as it interferes with my gear selecter on my raask rear-sets when in the up position.

Hey ho, the trials and tribulations of having a non-standard machine.  Other than that the stand is great.  Now all I have to do is fix the tank.

cheers

Steve