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Modifying Centerstand and/or sidestand

5 posts Started 29 Apr 2010 Last recovered post 29 Apr 2010 Wayback Machine snapshot 17 Jun 2011

#1
First Off, I am 6'4" and the VFR just didn't have enough legroom for me, in fact it was painful on my leg scrunch.....so I add some thurn plates and msf rotating footpegs plus a Thurn longer shifter. So my left foot is way back and lower, wow it worked and I get to keep my bike but oem sidestand bumps right into my left foot and left peg....so sidestand was removed, no biggie. Actually I am tall on bike and get off it easily even with full gear luggage. So maybe 5 years I ride with centerstand only, stop , hold bike up, get off and throw it up on centerstand....is fairly easy until bike is fully loaded...then its a heave -ho operation. I can do it a few times a day, no biggie but I have a BAD BACK now from my lovely job running an order picker...so when bike is really loaded, or if stopping a lot taking pictures.....my back says THIS IS NOT GOOD. I am an old fart looking for advice here. I have 2 side stands but need someone creative, a fabricator with welding skills....to do this I would have to make sidestand longer so then also increase bend/lean to compensate for a longer sidestand,,,,and maybe put a crazy bend in there also. If I had a welding guru I am sure we could figure it out. The 2nd part of my question is maybe just leave the sidestand off and SHORTEN the feet on the centerstand? If the centerstand had shorter feet on it, would it make it much easier to LIFT bike up on centerstand since the LIFT would be less? I can always find a way to work on bike , thats no biggie.
Watch this HD centerstand idea here: http://www.youtube.c...feature=related I can buy an extra centerstand and experiment...but does it make sense if lower feet, rear wheel is not so high in air...that it would be easier on my bad back to hoist bike up and park it? Thanks for reading long story. I love the bike but just do not want to make my back any worse than it already is. A sidestand would be beautiful but modding a short centerstand may also be the ticket here. Thanks, Doug
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#2
Doug, have you thought about adjusting the sidestand so it sits a little lower? I ran in to this with BLS's pegs. Drilled and tapped in a small screw so the sidestand wouldn't rise as far:

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Went from this:

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To this:

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Also cut the nub off the sidestand for more foot room.
#3
+1 on what the Captain said. I too have installed the BlS lowering pegs, and I cut the nub off my side stand with a reciprocating saw so that the nub doesn't get in the way when I shift gears. The side stand still bumps into the bottom of the peg though, so I may drill and tap the sidestand to make it stop earlier.

Slight topic tangent (but still related):

Captain: Excatly how does one drill and tap? I presume one drills a hole slightly smaller in diameter than the bolt diameter that will be inserted. How does one tap??

Thanks.
#4
A "tap" is a tool that cuts internal threads. To "tap" you will need to buy a tap set then use the tap of the appropriate thread size that you are wanting to use. Step one, drill hole of appropriate size for the tap to use, second step, run tap into hole.

On a second school note, a "die" is a tool that cuts external threads. Most kits come as Tap and Die kits.
#5
Thats an idea to consider but I think my peg is much farther back than on your 5th gen....still this is a new idea. Look at my last pic, the base/tip/end of the sidestand actually goes right into the bottom (cutout) of msf left peg....so I dont think this idea will do it for me. Your sidestand is KINDA in the way and mine is REALLY in the way. I am buying a used centerstand on here for more junk in the garage. I will get lunch, beer, $$$ if you have a welder and like to fabricate bike stuff. More ideas are welcome, seeing your fixes helps.
End of thread · 5 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 17 Jun 2011