Center Stand

[brazz]

This may be a silly question, but whats an easy way to get the XJ up on its center stand? I'm usually on my own as the wife wants nothing to do with it, so I call the kids to help. I'm not a small guy, but I have a dickens of a time getting the bike up. I'm just not as young as I used to be. Any suggestions?

bryan

[Fire2235fighter]

Center Stand

I'm 25 6ft10in and i still haven figured out an easy way GOOD LUCK Some body will have a good suggestion

[MAXIMAN]

There's a trick. The way i get Zilla up is:

Left hand on handlebar

right hand under alloy seat rail

right foot on the center stand foot lever. this is very important because you actually use the foot lever for leverage.

Make sure the bike is level and both "feet" of the center stand are touching when step down on the lever. Your left hand only guides the bike and keeps the front wheel straight.

Step down full force on the center stand lever and lift up and backward with your right hand as you keep the front wheel straight with the left hand. Be sure and maximiize the leverage you obtain with your foot....pushing down with foot and pulling up and backward with right hand. There's almost a "rocking" action to it.

Once you get the technique perfected that 600 lb ape will pop right up with no problem. You might want a "spotter" the first few times ya do it if it feels unstable so ya don't drop the bike.

Cody

[MAXIMAN]

6-10!!!!!!!!!!!!

No wonder it's hard. Whe you're reaching down from the sky!

Seriously size and strength don't really hand a lot to do with it. As Coach Agnew always said before he busted your butt in gym..."it's all in the wrist...boys"

[chevy45412001]

maximan right

what he said... You first have to get over the fear of the bike going over! because once you get it like he said you'll be laughing at yourself because it was so easy.both feet of the center stand feels a little tipsy at first but once your over that wham it goes like butter

[KevinL]

yep, I agree.

I had the same problem, could not get the bike up on the center stand, util I read on the board here how to do it, now it's so easy I feel stupid that I could not get it before! (ok, so stupider than usual) (is "stupider" a word?)

I have really found this site to be a HUGE benefit for a new XJ owner. I picked up my bike mainly because of the price, not knowing the history and beauty of the beast. Now I'm really glad I got it!

Thanks to all who have supplied all the hints, tips, tricks, etc!

Kevin

'82 XJ1100

[Pat Kelly]

It's all technique. I 've had my 13 year-old put my 700 lb, fully-loaded E on the centerstand. The thing different with it is your right hand is turned backwards (fingers facing the bach of the bike) grabbing the saddlebag support (rear crash guard?).
My MN Special is so much easier, I don't even use my right hand. I guess being overweight (underheight) helps.

[iamphotog]

I must also agree I had a time putting mine on center stand until I did a search here and read the procedure Cody is describing. Once I followed the instructions, it works like a champ every time with no major pulling/pushing/grabbing/huffing/puffing/or calling for help from a buddy.
This site has been an extremely good source of information!

Just make sure you are using your right foot. this gives the needed leverage.

[Jerry]

See this previous post for a step-by-step technique to put your XS or XJ opn the center stand:

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

[brazz]

Amazing
I feel like a new man. Thanks for the great info.

bryan

[draketrumpet]

ditto-ish

I picked up my bike mainly because of the price, not knowing the history and beauty of the beast. Now I'm really glad I got it!

Kinda the same here. I was worried about picking up my bike because of the low price I found, but this site convinced me I'd have a great support group.

I'll have to try this trick as soon as someone bigger than a 3 year old is around to catch the bike before it hits the neighbors truck.

[trbig]

Wow.. talk about reviving the dead! lol. When you post, you might want to take a look at the date things were posted. No biggie though.

No kidding.. when I first got mine, I would push the bike forward as far as I could in the garage, then roll it backwards as I tried to step on the center stand leg and hope momentum got it up on the stand.

The whole trick in the center stand... is people are trying to pull the bike up onto the centerstand, and you don't need to really. You need to concentrate mainly on pushing down hard on the leg of the center stand with your foot, basically using the rail of the bike only to hold onto to add more down force onto the stand. You will use your leg pushing down to raise the bike.. not your arm lifting up so much.

One thing to remember though.. once you get the bike up on it, don't let it just slam down on the centerstand rest. That puts a BUNCH of stress on that point where the stand is welded to the frame, and I've seen several broken frames there from it.


Tod

[red bandit]

If your lazy like me you can run the rear wheel up on a 2 X 4.

[XJOK2PLAY]

This was a HUGE challenge for me! Thought I never would be able to master it, but I finally did!

2 of the biggest tips to pay attention to...

1) Make sure the front forks are straight ahead!

2) As you lift the bike off the side stand vertically to center it, and you're stepping down on the centerstand, go slow to center it, and with the centerstand feet touching the floor, when you feel both feet make contact, you then know you're centered... and as long as you apply pressure to the centerstand foot, the legs will prevent the bike from tipping over.

Just push down firmly, lifting upward on the rail, and moving backwards slightly... it should pop right up.

If you have a full bagger like mine... that extra weight and bulk can be an even greater challenge! But the straightness of the forks, and feeling BOTH centerstand feet make contact w/ the floor were the keys for me to get the job done.

Now... getting the bike OFF the centerstand... especially if it's on a concrete floor can sometimes be another story!
And... getting the bike off the centerstand, when parked uphill.... wow... what a chore! Lesson learned the hard way... DAMHIKIJD!!
Goes on easy, comes off... barely!!!

[T99Ford]

Center stand?

I actually still have mine, but I only put it on to change the oil. Then it comes right back off!