center stand changes?????

[lamont]

the center stand on the 81 seems harder to use than on my 83, i see in the MAX's BMW microfiche that there was a change or up grade 80 to 81, was the stand its self changed or was it just the springs/ mountings???

[jusgus]

Lamont,

I have a 1980, and the owners manual instructions tell one to use the side bracket to lower the stand and then put your foot on tne end of the stand to pull it up on the stand.

[montmil]

I absolutely hate the centerstand on my 1981 R65! I can't find a stronger word to describe my feelings for this poorly engineered junk.

As jusgus sezs, we are cautioned not to use the ball-end stem on the centerstand for any other purpose other than to lower the stand. We're supposed to put a foot on the curved portion of the stand itself and then dead-lift 450+ pounds of BMW. It's a great way to destroy the sole of your favorite riding foot wear.

I use the ball-end stem and it hasn't broken yet. When and if it does, I'll likely invest in a "proper" sidestand.

This stand issue has been discussed and cussed before. I know of no up-grade in spite of Max's catalog fiche. Anyway, it would probably be out of stock and awaiting shipment from the old country. Right! [smiley=furious3.gif]

[lamont]

went over and visited my R65LS, ( I lent it to a friend who blew up his old Triumph), it has a completely different stand than the 81, it has a pressed metal tang that was bent to set below the brown side stand and it loads better than a 81, especially trying to get the bike off the stand.

[Crossrodes]

I guess it's all in the perception.  I love the centrestand on my '79.  I think it's a piece of cake to operate.  If you want a challenge try putting a Goldwing on it's centrestand.

[Justin B.]

They all require the proper "technique" or you'll work yourself to death.  You have to time the "stomp-and-yank" sequence just right.  I will admit, though, that a stock stand on my '81 R100 was a helluva lot more work as well so I put the Reynolds back on.

[Altritter]

My problem with the center stand on my '81 arises not when putting the bike on the stand. It's when getting it off the stand, especially if I'm stupid enough to park facing uphill (or unlucky enough to be unable to find level ground). I have a Brown side stand, but I don't like to use the side stand more than a few seconds when the engine is hot because of the potential problem discussed in this forum (or MOA's?) caused by oil seeping past the rings into the left cylinder. I know that my bike will smoke a few seconds when started after parking it hot on the center stand (and I've never seen it smoke at any other time), so I'm careful.

[scuba]

center stand? beautiful thing. I almost never use side stand except when I'm in hurry and just for minute or two. it's simple thing to operate it. just step on curved end and pull the bike backwards in rihgt moment. simple as that. and I take the bike off the center stand, police way. sit on it while on center stand, put it in first gear and slowly release the clutch while leaning back to load rear wheel. the bike does the rest. many will say that I'm destroing my bike but I'm doing that for 25 years with my bmw bikes and never had any problem related to that.