Just installed a center stand on my '92 CB750. Assembly took about 10 minutes,
getting that frakin' spring on took about 2 hours (ended up using a vice grip on
the spring-side end and pulling until it was just over the stand attachment
point, and then letting the vice grip go and hoping it caught, took about 10
tries, MAN that was hard).
Then I spent over an hour failing to get the bike onto the stand.
Finally found this set of instructions, which after several failed tries I
finally got to work, and after a few successful repeats, I'm finally getting the
hang of the push/pull-up/balance trick.
Thought I'd pass this along to help others avoid the swearing and frustration I
went through:
http://www.pipeline.com/~randyo/Maintenance/Center_Stand.htm
There isn't a lot to maintain on a center stand, just keep it clean, and
lube the hinges every now and then.
Since it does bear weight when used, check it occasionally to insure that
there are no cracks developing
Also check the mounting hardware to insure that it remains within factory
torque specifications (or at least tight, for those of you without a torque
wrench!).
BUT HOW DO I USE THE DAMN THING? THAT'S WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW, ISN'T
IT!!!
The center stand is one piece of equipment that frustrates many new bikers. It
seemed so easy to do when you watched the person at the dealership do it. Why
then, are you having so much trouble? I've been there myself. I've tried it all;
tugging hard on the handlebars, pushing extra hard on the center stand (hurt my
ankle doing that), jerking the bike, trust me, I know every wrong way to do it.
I was so bad, I even dropped my bike into a brick planter and dented the gas
tank while attempting to get it up on the stand. Well, once you know how to do
it properly, it's ridiculously simple. Here's the secret:
Insure your front wheel is straight
Put your left hand on the handlbar (this is more for stability than
pulling).
Put your right hand somewhere on the rear of the bike where you can lift
up, either under the rear seat area, or on a grab rail, basically somewhere near
the rear where you can lift.
Carefully move the bike off of the side stand and straighten it up.
Put your right foot on the center stand "foot pad"
Lower the center stand with your right foot until both sides are touching
the ground.
Apply firm pressure with your foot to the center stand (you don't need to
jump or bounce, your body weight alone should be sufficient).
This will start the bike rocking back on the center stand. As it is rocking
back, lift with your right hand. The bike will then set down on that center
stand as easy as can be.
Some bikes may tend to lift the front tire of the ground a bit, but just
maintain control until it comes back down.
There are minor variations on the above, but it's a good guideline. For me,
I found it easier to pause at the point where the foot pressure stops moving the
bike backwards and up, then shift all of my weight to the footpad while lifting
with my right hand.
Read it through a few times, then try it. Once you 've done it correctly,
you'll be amazed at how simple it was.
Peace,
+Lie
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