bending kickstand after lowering

[tab1324]

I've got an 82 XJ1100 and have adjusted the fork tubes up into the triple clamps about 1 3/4" to lower the bike. Now that I've done this, my lean angle with the side stand needs to be adjusted. Any advice on how to bend it properly without breaking it?

Tom B.

[ratbyk]

Side Stand

I believe it is made from mallebel iron. Does not like to be bent (thats why they use this material) without developing stress cracks. Suggest you use heat, like an acetylene/oxygen torch.
Heat up to dull to cherry red and bend. Make your bend near the bottom of the leg. Less stress down there under load than up near the pivot point.
Don't bend to much, a little bit will be a lot when you lean it over to use next time.
Also, after you drag the bottom of the bike on driveway curbs a few times or drag parts on the bottom while cornering you may want to raise the bike back up to it's stock height.
Hard parts on the bottom of the bike can unload the rear tire in the middle of a corner while leaned over. Unpleasant results can happen "FAST".
Ken/Sooke

[Ken Talbot]

You can find sidestands for cheap on Ebay in case you want to go back to full height. Knowing this, go ahead and just cut off the amount needed from just above the foot. To determine how much to cut, raise both ends of the bike on bits of plywood or "2 by" lumber until you get the lean angle you want. Transfer that amount to the stand just above the foot, cut it out, weld it back together, and you're got it.

[DiverRay]

If you do the cut and weld, measure the distace from the foot to the cut at 90 degrees from the ground.

-------------------------------------------
\
\ ___
\_ ___ }measure then cut from here

You should only have to cut about 1/2" to get the lean angle back. The bike just needs about 10% of the weight on the stand side.

[Jerry]

Quick note...the XJ stand is a bit different than the XS stand, due to the extra fitting for the sidestand switch (not on the XS) and a few small differences due to different exhaust system on the XJ. I tried fitting an XS11 Standard ('79) stand to the XJ and had to go back to the XJ stand.

Moral: replacement stand is not universal; if you modify the XJ stand and want to go back to stock you will need to find an XJ stand.