Centerstand usage

[yellafella]

OK, maybe this is a total noob question, but does anyone have any tips on getting the bike to sit up on the centerstand?

Everytime I want to get the bike on it, I'd have to wrestle with it and almost drop the bike a few times before it's propped up. Here's what I tried:

Step on the centerstand arm and press down with al my weight. Then use my left hand to keep the front wheel straight and with my right hand, grab the subframe and yank up.

Am I doing this correctly or am I just a klutz?

[Soul]

Not that this is helpful at all..but..I dont have a center stand at all. I do have a bike lift that goes into the rear axle or whatever you call the hole..it is really easy to use...but then it isnt there for you on the road or anything..:-/

[Vtwin650]

I actually just removed my centerstand because the bracket that held it off the chain was worn down, causing the chain to rub.

But I did not have any problem getting the bike propped up?
The only bikes if have had difficulty with this are really heavy bikes.

All you have to do is stand on the pivot arm, that is what it is meant for, and gently lift the rear of the bike forward. If you are having that much difficulty, there might be something wrong with your centerstand.

Once you get the hang of it, you will be amazed how easily the bike goes up.

[dagus]

takes some practice, that's for sure. but here's what I do:

Standing on the left side of the bike, put your right foot on the part of the centerstand that sticks up, grab the left grip with your left hand, and grab underneath the frame all the way up front with your right. Dig the stand into the ground first and make sure the feet are as solid as possible, or else you're only going to slide. Keep pushing on the stand, and pull the bike s-m-o-o-t-h-l-y back (that's right, more backward than upward) onto the stand. Don't yank sharply at it, thinking you're going to muscle 405lbs of bike up those few inches. It's a good way to pull something in your back. It's all about leverage.

[yellafella]

Thanks it works now!

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice. Pulling the bike back rather than up did it. I goes up on the centerstand as smooth as budda. Awesome.

Have a great day everyone!

[kennie]

So that's how you do it.

I've actually ALWAYS sat on the bike, dropped the centerstand to the ground, grabbed both bars, stood on the centerstand kick peg, bounced the front end (with the brakes on), and pulled back while letting go of the brake. It looks kinda funny, but it's been off and on that center stand maybe 50~60 times that way without a drop.

Does anyone know how to rotate a bike on it's kickstand?

[yellafella]

Rotating the bike on the kicstand

I do this all the time in my garage. Just grab the left handle with your left hand and then with your right grab the right rail under the seat. Lean and Pull the bike towards you until the bike it porpped up only by the Kickstand.

Then slowly pace around 180 degrees and slowly let it back down. Just make sure your kickstand mount itsn't too rusted (if you live in NE). Last thing you need is the bike falling on you because the kickstand broke.

[dagus]

WOW. I wouldn't recommend that. Are you saying that with the bike on the centerstand, you pull it toward you onto only one of its feet, then rotate the bike 180? Why don't you just put it in neutral and back it around? Good way to get your legs crushed - no joke. I have to warn you, that's just half-assed and dangerous, man.

[Machismo111]

Nah, just the kickstand. I watched a movie about stunters once and they were doing this all over the place with big old 1000cc sportbikes. I've never really tried it myself, but seems theoretically plausable...

[dagus]

I don't know if professional stunters are the most safety-oriented riders in the world, but then, I'd love to be able to ride like them and if you can make that 180-degree-turn work, then use it, I guess. Be careful though, it'd be a shame to tip over a Hawk.

[Machismo111]

Oh yeah, Im not gonna try it, lol. Just saying I've seen it done. I suppose if the kick stand can take my weight sitting on it plus the bike leaning, it could take the entire weight of the bike for a few seconds.

[dagus]

Yeah, but what do you weigh?

The majority of the weight of the bike is pressing down on the tires when it's on the kick. The weight against the kick that's produced by the lean is a lot less. Think about it: would you rather hold your bike up as it leans against you at a gentle 25 degree angle, or lay underneath its footprint?

[Machismo111]

lol, I understand your point.

[Roberto]

Does anyone know how to rotate a bike on it's kickstand?

Sweet or biscuit tin lid under the centre stand and pivot it (slowly!)

Am looking into a DIY turn-table using a ball bearing mounted between two sheets of timber ply.

Agreed that turning a bike on the kick stand isn't a good idea! hard enough to stand a bike back upright without having it on top of your legs to begin with.

[Doc]

Well I have been doing that for awhile... Pivoting the bike on the kickstand. Although I do not do it often.

The first time I saw it was on a Las Vegas Extremes video and little Jo J was doing it. (well she kinda shuffled it along)

It works great when your in a tight space. It does take practice to get it right, even with a different bike, it is all about the balance point and some foot work. Didn't you guys do that with your bicycle when you were a kid?

I have yet to have a kickstand break or even bend. When you get good at it, it takes 3 seconds and looks COOL!

Until your good at it, It is a god awful shuffle, just make sure your on good hard ground. I little tin or piece of wood helps too.