Gangster Lean

Do any of you feel like your bike lays a bit low when you use your sidestand?  It might be just me... I use it so infrequently-- I never thought in a million years that I would use my center stand as often as i do.  It just seems as though when I do use the side stand, she is leaning quite a bit... :huh:

on a level surface it should lean but not to a point that looks worrysome ,
but without a picture, it is hard to tell if your sidestand is crooked or not...


[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 27 December 2010 - 04:36 AM, said:

Do any of you feel like your bike lays a bit low when you use your sidestand?  It might be just me... I use it so infrequently-- I never thought in a million years that I would use my center stand as often as i do.  It just seems as though when I do use the side stand, she is leaning quite a bit... :huh:

Mate - I'd agree with Dutchy - I reckon it's worth having a critical look at your side stand - my 98 5th Gen doesn't lean at a worrisome angle at all.   :mellow:

[image: Posted Image]

Having said that I also tend to use the centre stand quite a bit 'cause I reckon it looks better :cool: and it's also less likely to be accidently knocked/pushed/pulled over in public places or by my 5 year old (more likely one of his friends) in our garage. I'd never forgive myself if this scenario was to play out!

[image: Posted Image]

Edit: How effing good looking are these motorcycles!!!? :cheerleader:

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 27 December 2010 - 04:36 AM, said:

Do any of you feel like your bike lays a bit low when you use your sidestand?
Yes, but that is due to the rear that is raised a bit (longer shock & stiffer spring). When the bike is on level ground on the centre stand the rear wheel is just clear of the ground.

I raised my ride height 5mm at the shock (I have a Penske), which gives you about a 17-20mm increase above the centerline of the rear axle, about at the pillion seat location.  Anyway, this increased frame height causes a wicked, worrisome, stomach-churning lean when on the kickstand!   :blink:    This also puts more much more weight on the stand....which allows the stand to easily push down into soft asphalt, etc.  

I shaped and welded a 1/4 inch "foot" to my stand, which puts the bike at a much more normal angle.     I know it looks a little bit like an orthopedic shoe, but nobody has pointed at it and laughed yet.  Actually, the thick foot is not very noticeable....and it works!   :fing02:

[image: Posted Image]

I rode with another VFRD member (Phil) a couple summers ago who rides a Duc sport-tourer that leaned way over on the sidestand.  He never used it.  Luckily he had legs long enough that he could pop the bike onto its c-stand without even dismounting first.

Leaning more than usual might not be a problem, but I would think it makes for a more difficult straightening up once on the bike.  Jerk the bike upright a little too quick and momentum will make it keep going to the right, and over you go.   :ohmy:

I've got the same issue as the OP, as my bike leans a good bit more than it should on the sidestand. It has a lot of play, or slop, and has apparently just worn out. I did check for loose fasteners and found none. Cure would seem to be replacement.

I showed the sidestand slop to the service mgr at the local dealer and he said it's not at all uncommon for them to show wear after ten years.

My bike does spend a lot of time on the centerstand when idle, so I think that maybe I didn't keep it lubed enough.

Had it.  A common issue with missing/loose sidestand bolts.
Locktite is your friend.

As Rice said, check that both of your side stand mounting bolts are in place and tight.

I don't think it was a common issue on '98s, but I know some of the 6th generation had side stand mounting bolts fall out (including mine) and it supposedly traced back to an improperly adjusted pneumatic wrench in the factory.

Again, as Rice said, a little blue loctite is your friend should the missing bolt be your issue.

[image: View Post]Trace, on 27 December 2010 - 09:15 AM, said:

I raised my ride height 5mm at the shock (I have a Penske), which gives you about a 17-20mm increase above the centerline of the rear axle, about at the pillion seat location.  Anyway, this increased frame height causes a wicked, worrisome, stomach-churning lean when on the kickstand!   :blink:    This also puts more much more weight on the stand....which allows the stand to easily push down into soft asphalt, etc.  

I shaped and welded a 1/4 inch "foot" to my stand, which puts the bike at a much more normal angle.     I know it looks a little bit like an orthopedic shoe, but nobody has pointed at it and laughed yet.  Actually, the thick foot is not very noticeable....and it works!   :fing02:

[image: Posted Image]

Good job. Nice fix.

I do have a bit of slop with everything tightened up; It might not be much, but for some reason, she seems to be leaning more than she should...  Dutchy, my girl leans a bit more than yours.  Perhaps when I did the 929 shock conversion, i added a few extra mm of spacing material... My sidestand also seems to have a very subtle bend near the base.  She isnt resting flatly on the stand foot either...  Now I know that my sitch is a rarity.  Time to investigate and possibly replace.  These two shots are with the front wheel straight:  The first one looks off but the straight edge is flat, i think I was crooked...

[image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 27 December 2010 - 02:55 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Trace, on 27 December 2010 - 09:15 AM, said:

I raised my ride height 5mm at the shock (I have a Penske), which gives you about a 17-20mm increase above the centerline of the rear axle, about at the pillion seat location.  Anyway, this increased frame height causes a wicked, worrisome, stomach-churning lean when on the kickstand!   :blink:    This also puts more much more weight on the stand....which allows the stand to easily push down into soft asphalt, etc.  

I shaped and welded a 1/4 inch "foot" to my stand, which puts the bike at a much more normal angle.     I know it looks a little bit like an orthopedic shoe, but nobody has pointed at it and laughed yet.  Actually, the thick foot is not very noticeable....and it works!   :fing02:

[image: Posted Image]

Good job. Nice fix.
Great idea!  I might *borrow* it...

I don't mind a little lean, but this is just too far!   :blush:












[image: copied pics 040.jpg]

BaileyRock's pic is a good example of why I'd rather have a little more lean than not enough.... I like mine pretty much the way it is but there are times when I have to move the bike around because I'm not feeling secure with the lack of lean (That usually comes with parking on the public street and trying to face in the legal direction).

You'd think BR's bike had already suffered enough embarrassment, but still he trots that pic out a few times per year.   :rolleyes:   (Just kidding, Kev!   :tongue: )

My bike ended up in the same position late one night in a small town in W Virginia this fall, during my ride back from the Skyline Drive.  Didn't realize I was parked on a slight incline (uphill to the left of the bike), hopped on, jerked the bike up, right foot a little too far off the ground (I have short legs)...and over she went.     :ohmy:     Once my right foot did touch the ground, the bike was moving too quickly to stop it without superhuman effort.  That's what I meant about momentum taking over and the bike falling over to the right.

No injuries to me but my right OEM hardbag gained some nice scratches that night.   :pissed:   Still, it could have been worse (broken ankle, busted mirror, etc), so I counted my blessings.

I had a Monster that had more lean than made me comfortable. I took it in to the shop and we found out that it was bent. I guess a previous owner liked to sit on the bike with the stand down when talking up chicks. A new stand made a big difference.

Thanks for all of the input; I think im foing to source a new one, or at least compare mine to see what one is supposed to look like...  Thanks for your insight Monk;  I had a CBR that stood a little too upright.  Like you said, another situation waiting to happen when the stars align.  

Also, this is NOT an item i want to heat up and straighten, correct?  ...Something about changing the temper of the steel?  Illuminati?!

[image: View Post]BaileyRock, on 27 December 2010 - 03:39 PM, said:

I don't mind a little lean, but this is just too far!   :blush:
LOL! I really appreciate all that everyone brings to the forums!!!

TexOz, your bike is ALMOST as clean as mine...

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 27 December 2010 - 05:45 PM, said:

Thanks for all of the input; I think im foing to source a new one, or at least compare mine to see what one is supposed to look like...  Thanks for your insight Monk;  I had a CBR that stood a little too upright.  Like you said, another situation waiting to happen when the stars align.  

Also, this is NOT an item i want to heat up and straighten, correct?  ...Something about changing the temper of the steel?  Illuminati?!
Myself.. I wouldn't want to put heat on my stand either(since I'm not a metallurgical engineer ).....But it brings to mind, seeing these stunt riders and shows .... and one trick is to spin the bike on it's side stand..... so they seem strong if left alone.

[image: View Post]Monk, on 27 December 2010 - 11:18 PM, said:

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 27 December 2010 - 05:45 PM, said:

Thanks for all of the input; I think im foing to source a new one, or at least compare mine to see what one is supposed to look like...  Thanks for your insight Monk;  I had a CBR that stood a little too upright.  Like you said, another situation waiting to happen when the stars align.  

Also, this is NOT an item i want to heat up and straighten, correct?  ...Something about changing the temper of the steel?  Illuminati?!
Myself.. I wouldn't want to put heat on my stand either(since I'm not a metallurgical engineer ).....But it brings to mind, seeing these stunt riders and shows .... and one trick is to spin the bike on it's side stand..... so they seem strong if left alone.
Ive done the *180 side stand spin* a time or two... might be whats wrong with my stand, LOL!!!

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 27 December 2010 - 05:50 PM, said:

TexOz, your bike is ALMOST as clean as mine...
Mate - I take my hat off to you - your bike looks great from behind :cheerleader:   
Lurv the twin exhaust system ... how about some more pics from all angles!!?

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 27 December 2010 - 03:34 PM, said:

[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]TexOz, on 28 December 2010 - 03:21 AM, said:

... how about some more pics from all angles!!?

Never mind ... I just checked out your gallery - very noiice!! :fing02:

Some good fodder in there for the moderators to use as a featured pic I reckon :cool:

Thanks Bro...

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 27 December 2010 - 03:34 PM, said:

I do have a bit of slop with everything tightened up; It might not be much, but for some reason, she seems to be leaning more than she should...  Dutchy, my girl leans a bit more than yours.  Perhaps when I did the 929 shock conversion, i added a few extra mm of spacing material... My sidestand also seems to have a very subtle bend near the base.  She isnt resting flatly on the stand foot either...  Now I know that my sitch is a rarity.  Time to investigate and possibly replace.  These two shots are with the front wheel straight:  The first one looks off but the straight edge is flat, i think I was crooked...

[image: Posted Image]
It looks simalar like mine and I dont feel its to mutch, I hate to have a bike that is s upright a big windblow would bush it on the side. But if you feel bad, just use a "spacer" under the sidestand, a pice of wood for example

[image: View Post]AvalonRacing, on 27 December 2010 - 05:07 PM, said:

I guess a previous owner liked to sit on the bike with the stand down when talking up chicks.

Isn't that what the side stand is for?   :laughing6-hehe: That's how mine leans when it's on level ground, I'd take a pic for you but it's all apart for the fabbing of my lumie sub frame   :cheerleader:

Thanks guys... many years ago i rode up on a motorcycle accident; a friend got in over his head and sidled up to the curb, found a space in the curbing with his front tire, and ended up broad siding a tree with his thighs...  Anyway, when Life Flight got there and took my buddy to the hospital the chopper, blew my CBR off the sidestand..  I understand definitely about being too upright;   Looking at some pics mine might be close to normal.   :blush:

Haven't really noticed any problems with the amount of lean on mine but while I had it up on the center stand I checked the "slop" in the side stand.  No obvious signs of wear but seems like a lot of play in the "yoke".  Anybody have a guess on how much play is too much?   In other words, how much up and down movementt?  (As opposed to the intended swinging movement)

[image: View Post]skymon, on 16 January 2011 - 06:34 PM, said:

Haven't really noticed any problems with the amount of lean on mine but while I had it up on the center stand I checked the "slop" in the side stand.  No obvious signs of wear but seems like a lot of play in the "yoke".  Anybody have a guess on how much play is too much?   In other words, how much up and down movementt?  (As opposed to the intended swinging movement)
Wouldn't know without seeing it, but mine is a little loose too, if that helps(and has been that way since I bought it new). I've always been real aware of a sidestands operation since 1972, when I bought a BMW, back then the sidestands on Beemers were made to spring up as soon as the weight was taken off of it, which I loved, other than the worry about some Woff-oo's touching my bike.

I also noticed my bike was leaning over too much. More importantly, after I tightened all the bolts, the stand sticks out under my peg and looks like it may drag. I think the stand has a slope in it. Probably time to replace it.

With more than 80k miles on it, my 01 started to lean excessively. Checked the side stand and it moved "in and out" ("side to side") as well as the normal "back and forth". One day, when I parked in my driveway, with the side stand at a low point in the pavement, it tipped over on me. Talked to the dealer who said the side to side movement was sign of wear. Ordered all new parts (stand, mounting bolt and mounting bracket) and all was corrected. The bolt was worn, the hole in the mount was worn, and the stand itself was worn.