I feel like a wuss.

[pathfinder]

I've got a 78E with a full fairing and no grab bar with a backrest that replaces the grab bar. About 195#, when I got this bike many years ago and 30 #'s lighter it took me and a helper to get it up on the center stand. After I figured it out with hard soled shoes I've been able to put it on the stand with very little effort. Face the left side of bike, Left hand on Handlebar to steady it, right foot on stand, Right hand gripping bottom of seat close to your body. Make sure bike is centered on the stand by rocking sideways on the centerstand, now stand with all your weight on right foot while lifting slightly with your right hand. I always leave the side stand down just in case plus it's out of the way. Keep trying, when you get the balance right you'll wonder why you had any trouble at all.

[DiverRay]

My '79 standard is not easy, but it does go up. You do need to make sure the center stand is square, both sides on the ground before you try to rock it. I alway's let it go side to side just a little to be sure it's square, put my right foot on the stand, and put all my weight on it while pulling up from under the seat with my right hand and pulling back on the handlebar with my left hand.
I'm 5'11" and about 210.

If you would like a demo, you'll need to ride down to Santa Cruz area, as I've got my bike apart trying to get it into shape to ride. I work in San Jose, close to 17 and 85. I could meet you late afternoon if that work for you.
Ray

[ratbyk]

Center Stand

I'm 71 years old, 165lbs, (read; old scrawny and weak). When I first got Ratbyk 4 years ago I could get it up (on the stand) but it was a struggle. After installing taller rear shock units it became a breeze. Follow the previous 2 suggestions. Right foot on stand, left hand on left handle bar. Rock side to side gently to place on both sides of the stand. Push down HARD with right foot and lift with right hand. It will go. If not you had better check out a gym and change your diet.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"
92 ZX11 Temptress

[Luxury]

I'm 5'4" 140 lbs and I put my 79f on the center stand every time I ride it. I use the same procedure as thumperjsa : left foot on the center stand. Right foot just past the back wheel. Left hand grabbing the bottom of the seat and right hand on the grab rail behind the seat. Then push down with left foot on centerstand and pull back and up on seat and grab bar. The key is getting as much weight as possible on that center stand foot peg. To get it off the center stand, I stand on the foot pegs and rock it forward - pops right off the stand and away I go.

By the way, I kinda chuckle sometimes when I hear talk of trying to up the power with high flow filters, exhaust, etc. With a 100 lb weight advantage over some of you boys, I've got plenty of power on my totally stock bike. My only problem is getting my feet to touch the ground when I stop!

[wildbill]

I never had any trouble with a bike I used to own a V65 Sabre about getting it up on the centerstand.I think a lot of the problem is the way the bike sets.When the tank is off the bike is easier to put up but when the tank is on its a different story.What is strange is the tank is empty.I will see what happens thanks.

[nashville_bill]

I'm 6'3" and 180 pounds and I don't have any problem getting mine up. I do occasionally have a problems getting it off the center stand when it is in my garage with the smooth concrete. The stand just slides.

I have a friend that is a body builder and owns a XJ650 who couldn't get it on the center stand until I showed him how to do it. I don't think it is how big you are, but how you do it that counts.

[milesaway]

Re: weight

Originally posted by chevy45412001
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...

Huh...? Get the maxim 'cos it's lighter or 'cos he's a wuss? Maxim rocks nads.

--XJ650J 1982

[mixelpix]

Finally got her up on the center stand tonight. Focused on keeping the stand on the floor as I lifted from the middle of the left side handle bars (between the two bends) with my legs pretty far apart and my right hand lifting back - pulling up on the guard for my side bags and slowly bringing her up and over. Now that I know the feel of the motion it should be a little easier to see about lifting it according to some of the other suggestions. Oh, and removing the weight of the battery and oil from draining the crankcase didn't seem to hurt either...

The back wheel is in the air, it's nice and level with a solid footing so now I can properly set about getting off the oil filter bolt which is thoroughly stripped! So much to do, if only I didn't have a day job.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions!

-pdk

p.s. In lieu of being able to really get to work I've been going through my manuals and this site. I am amazed at how easy it is to work on this bike. It's almost as if, call me crazy, someone - once upon a time - actually designed things to last...

[srq68]

At 6'0 and 250 lbs, I have no problems putting my XS850 on the stand, Right foot on stand and just standing on my righ foot almost lift it up in place. The right hand under seat helps a bit. Also a slight difference with full vs. empty gas tank...

[Materi]

Originally posted by mixelpix
It's almost as if, call me crazy, someone - once upon a time - actually designed things to last...

Wait until you get into your petcocks and fuel system, oh...and the electrical connectors. you may change your thinking a little bit. I often wonder what happened to the Japanese engineer who designed that system. I bet he's working at a Japanese Burger King

Oh c'mon...I'm kiddin.

[Jerry]

center stand tech-tip

OK. If you guys would actually read some of the tech tips, you would come across this one:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...=&threadid=492

Tells you all you need to know (technique) for putting your XS or XJ up on the center stand.

[chevy45412001]

up on stand

glad to hear ya got it up mix. that i think is the FIRST thing people need to get used to on center stand. i know it feels like it will tip when first trying to do it. But once comfortable with balance point it goes up easily.

[Bubba1954]

I learned to use Dragonrider's way to lift my fully loaded GL1500 Goldwing up on the centerstand. They tought this in the Goldwing manual. It works great. You are using the leverage of your right leg pushing downward against the oposite leaverage of your right arm pulling upward. The left arm is just there to steady the bike on the centerstand as you start the process.

The lighter the bike the easier this process is becomes. My full dress XSEleven is much lighter then my wing was.

Bubba

[fvincent]

Center Standing.

The key to this manuver is the weight concentration down on the center stand push bar. Its a lever. Push & pull up like your trying to rip the bike apart is the way i would explain it. When Wayne Reddin from Canada showed me that, (Wanye at about 130lbs ) I almost fell over in embarassment. We were at XSeast 2003 with Gary & the gang. (Good Time!).

Floyd, lifting 1980G with ease!

[skids]

Re: Center Standing.

If you do it right (like mentioned below), you can even do it while wearing tennis shoes.

Originally posted by fvincent
The key to this manuver is the weight concentration down on the center stand push bar. Its a lever. Push & pull up like your trying to rip the bike apart is the way i would explain it. When Wayne Reddin from Canada showed me that, (Wanye at about 130lbs ) I almost fell over in embarassment. We were at XSeast 2003 with Gary & the gang. (Good Time!).

Floyd, lifting 1980G with ease!