I feel like a wuss.

[mixelpix]

I can not for the life of me get my 1100 on it's center stand. I read the thread with the suggestion about how to lift it from the left side, but there has got to be an easier way. The closest I have come to getting it up and over is while stradling the bike, my left foot on the center stand's protruding end and rocking it back and forth.

Tips? suggestions? I feel like such a lame-ass...

-Patrick "Lone, Girly Mechanic" Kennedy

[Dragonrider]

Hi Patrick,

Chances are you are trying to "pull" it back onto the center stand. That just makes it harder than it should be.

Stand on the left side of the bike facing it. Left hand on the handlebars (you are only going to steady the bike with that hand), right hand on the grab rail just above the rear shock.

Stand the bike upright, push down on the center stand lever with your right foot...you will be able to feel when both stand feet are hitting the pavement (thus the bike is upright).

Now, just stand on the center stand lever, while pulling up on the grabrail with your right hand.

Pull UP, do not try to pull back...the stand will do that work.

Do not try to pull back with your left hand (the one on the handlebars)...this will just cock the wheel and make the bike uneven (side to side) and that makes it harder to get on the stand (most common mistake).

Again, step DOWN on the center stand lever while pulling UP on the grab rail.

That'll do it!

Good luck!

[steelcat]

My Std. was lowered by the PO making getting it on center stand harder. For me, with that bike, the easest way is by having a 1" thick board under the rear tire. Don't have the problem w/ the special.

[thumperjsa]

I prefer the pull method.

left foot on the center stand. Right foot just past the back wheel.
I don't have a grab rail. So I use my right hand on rear shock and left hand grabbing the bottom of the seat.
Then push down with left foot on centerstand and pull back on shock and seat.

Seems to get on centerstand with little effort.

[cruiser]

Mixelpix,
I agree with Dragonrider all the way but would like to stress one thing.
Hard sole shoes and concentrate on putting a LOT more effort into pushing down on stand with left foot verses lifting straight up with right hand.
About 70/30 I would guess.
That makes a huge difference IMHO

Cruiser

[XSiveForce]

If I dont push down on the center stand, theres no way I can get the bike up on it. The ONLY way I can do it is to step down, grab the rail, and pull UP..... your not alone..

Bobby

[ratbyk]

Center Stand

I had a similar problem when I first got the Ratbyk. Shortly after I replaced the rear shocks with units that were 7/8" longer. All of a sudden the effort to put up on center stand was reduced at least 50% if not more. The bike also seemed to be more "flick-able" while cornering. I believe the taller rear shocks increased the steering head trail a bit as well as easing placing on center stand.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"
92 ZX11 Temptress

[dpotter58]

Try switching to hungry man meals for a while. Mine is a biotch also.

[Hepcat]

Not to be rude, but...how much does everybody weigh?

That has a huge amount to do with how much leverage you can put on the center stand. It might be easier for the heavier guys to do it one way and lighter guys to have to rely on pulling it up another way.

Personally, I put my right food on the center stand, putting all my weight on it, and grab both handlebars like I'm walking the bike somewhere. I squeeze the brake and compress the front shocks hard. When they bounce back up, I pull back and release the brake and reapply it when the front of the bike starts to move back down. About 3 bounces and the bike's up on the stand and I don't have to worry so much about hurting myself getting it there.

It sounds more difficult than it is. You just get the rhythym right and the bike almost goes up by itself. (As long as you've always got weight on the foot that's on the center stand)

[mixelpix]

5'9''@190lbs. The rocking technique is the closest i've gotten...

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback. Maybe I should start a poll to see which Hungry-Man dinners are the most popular around here. Either way I am swearing off Marie-Calendars

-Patrick "Dinty Moore" Kennedy

[John]

I really don't think ones' weight has as much to do with it as technique and the fact that Standard sits a little higher than a Special. I was 30 lbs lighter last year than I am now (I quit smoking on the first of the year), but it still was easy for me then at 185 lbs. My Special practically jumps up onto the centerstand, and a slight rocking forward will get it off the stand. The XS750 Special that I used to own was a b!tc# to get on and off the centerstand, and when it was up, both tires were still touching the ground.
Hey kid, how's that XJ running?

[Hepcat]

Hehehe...I asked you guys, but didn't put my own weight down.

I'm 6' tall and about 185 lbs.

[chevy45412001]

weight

i think he had it right the first time......WUSS. If you can grab a hand full of throttle from theese bikes you SHOULD be able to get it on the center stand no probs.OR go try the xj650 maxim insteed...

[mixelpix]

Re: weight

Originally posted by chevy45412001
i think he had it right the first time......WUSS. <snip> go try the xj650 maxim insteed...

ouch...

[wildbill]

My bike a 78E has no grabrail and I don`t think the PO ever used the centerstand.I have tried all sorts of ways a board under the back tire,rocking even spraying the centerstand pivot.Nothing works so at home I use a 1 1/2 ton floor jack with boards.It works but there has to be a easier way.I must be holding my mouth wrong .Any ideas or tips I could try?Thanks