Difficulty Deploying Kickstand on Anni. Solutions Requested.

[Guzzi Gal]

Dear Guzzi Braintrust,

At first, I chalked up my kickstand trouble as a "newb issue" meaning it would resolve with practice, but that wasn't the case.  The kickstand is rather far back and snuggles right up to the tailpipe making it very difficult to deploy on the first attempt and I'm constantly removing shoe residue from the pipe.  I dislike looking down to make sure my heel is in just the right spot to catch the ball-end of the stand just to have it slip off and soil those shiny pipes anyway!

I did try to take a hammer to the ball-end, hoping to bend it enough to give me an extra half inch, but for whatever reason, it didn't work.  I would be ever so grateful for any suggestions, especially accompanied by photos (visual learner) that would solve this minor yet annoying issue.

Humbly yours,

GG

[ken farr]

Hey Guzzi Gal:

  It will probably just boil down to muscle memory.  Once you put the stand down x number of times, you leg and foot know where to go.

  Just my opinion.



kjf

[JACoH]

I have a V7 III Special, same issue. One pair of boots I have grabs the tab easily, the other pair slips on it. I have got the feel for finding it without looking, but practice makes perfect. It would be easier if it had an easier-to-grab tab on it, or at least rougher surface. My biggest complaint on the stand is it leans over too much, and its design precludes the use of the aftermarket "stand feet" offered for other bikes. I wonder if the Euro stand is any improvement.

[dcardo021]

I have a V7 III Special, same issue. One pair of boots I have grabs the tab easily, the other pair slips on it. I have got the feel for finding it without looking, but practice makes perfect. It would be easier if it had an easier-to-grab tab on it, or at least rougher surface. My biggest complaint on the stand is it leans over too much, and its design precludes the use of the aftermarket "stand feet" offered for other bikes. I wonder if the Euro stand is any improvement.

Same problem here, poor design.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[fotoguzzi]

weld a bigger tang onto the tip.

[RinkRat II]

Guzzi Gal,  Deploy the kickstand and find a piece of pipe that will fit over the ball end. Have your trusty assistant hold the bike while you put the 3' pipe over the tang and GENTLY pry down to bend it out slightly. Voila     Works on dirtbikes all the time.

      Paul B

[Huzo]

Hi GG.
Have someone reliable check the stand and make sure it is not cast steel.
If it is then it is best to remove the stand and have it heated up to yellow hot and bend the  stand or extension appropriately.
A photo would be beaut.
I'm guessing it will be forged, (similar in metallurgy to a spanner or pinch bar), again should be heated before bending.
Is the extension welded separately to the stand proper ?
If so, then I would make a new one of appropriate length and remove the original and replace it with the longer one.
In any case, don't just belt the living tripe out of it while fitted to the bike, to do so will give the pivot point grief, and things will be the worse for it...
Send a close up pic if you can.
Huzo.

[yogidozer]

My Spot 1100 has one of those "hide and seek" sidestands. I put an L shaped piece of scrap metal, held in place by a hose clamp to make it easier to get a toe on. nearly out of sight, once retracted

[Huzo]

My Spot 1100 has one of those "hide and seek" sidestands. I put an L shaped piece of scrap metal, held in place by a hose clamp to make it easier to get a toe on. nearly out of sight, once retracted

Eeewwww !
On a Sport 1100 mate !
That is a seriously beautiful bike, I take your point that it's largely out of sight but just knowing it's there would shit me to tears...

[yogidozer]

Eeewwww !
On a Sport 1100 mate !
That is a seriously beautiful bike, I take your point that it's largely out of sight but just knowing it's there would shit me to tears...

haha, well it started as a "hmm let's try this" thing. if it works, I'll pretty it up. but since you can't see it, and it worked, I kept on putting it off 

[Huzo]

haha, well it started as a "hmm let's try this" thing. if it works, I'll pretty it up. but since you can't see it, and it worked, I kept on putting it off 

Well yes mate.
Who here is innocent of that crime...
But a SPORT 1100 !!!!
As for "since you can't see it and it worked, so I kept putting it off" reasoning.
That's like having a Urologist grafting a 4" extension where you need it.
Ugly as hell but me thinks..
"Hmmm let me try this thing dear, if it works I'll pretty it up but since you can't see it and it works, I'll keep putting it off"...
But, honestly....
A SPORT 1100....??? !

[oldbike54]

Well yes mate.
Who here is innocent of that crime...
But a SPORT 1100 !!!!
As for "since you can't see it and it worked, so I kept putting it off" reasoning.
That's like having a Urologist grafting a 4" extension where you need it.
Ugly as hell but me thinks..
"Hmmm let me try this thing dear, if it works I'll pretty it up but since you can't see it and it works, I'll keep putting it off"...

A SPORT 1100....!

 Better than having it crash to the ground .

 Or land on top of you 

 Dusty

[pehayes]

Yes, a picture would be helpful.     If you're not into bending the thing, you could try a temporary solution.  Buy a short piece of 1/4" or 3/8" rod.  Bend that to some helpful angle.  Use two hose clamps to clamp it parallel to your existing stand to serve as a better foot perch.  That will at least serve you temporarily and might give more insight into how much alteration or correction you really need.

One of my bikes is an SPII.  Notorious for a hideous, unusable, self-retracting sidestand.  I added an Astico stand (NLA) which is far superior, but I still had to add a welded rod and end ball to help deployment and retraction.





Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[JohninVT]

As others have mentioned, don't pound on it with a hammer.  Remove the stand, place it in a vice and then heat the ball stem with a torch until it glows.  You can use the closed end of a wrench or a pipe to bend the ball down.  Let it cool, spray some black enamel on it, throw it back on and you'll be good to go.   

[Huzo]

Better than having it crash to the ground .

 Or land on top of you 

 Dusty

The bike, you mean ??

[Huzo]

As others have mentioned, don't pound on it with a hammer.  Remove the stand, place it in a vice and then heat the ball stem with a torch until it glows.  You can use the closed end of a wrench or a pipe to bend the ball down.  Let it cool, spray some black enamel on it, throw it back on and you'll be good to go.   

Do what Johnin said GG.
End of story, slam dunk, forrgettaabbaarrt it !
Do what Mick Jagger did (paint it black).
Force the kids to make you lunch while you're watching the paint dry.
Then put it back on half wet 'cos you can't wait, and happy days !

[Guzzi Gal]

Here is the requested picture of the offending kickstand deployed.  It appears to be powder coated with the deployment arm welded to the foot.   

A "MacGyver" pipe was part of my VW boot kit, maybe it's still around for that GENTLE coaxing?  I had considered the "hose clamp solution", along with drilling a hole in the top of the ball and bolting a thick washer to it or filing down the top of the ball to create a level surface and welding on a 1" circular knurled bit of steel.  My father-in-law is a machinist and I'd bet he could make me one to spec, but he's in Texas.  However, I was hoping someone knew of an aftermarket doodad that would look better.

My oxy/acetylene torch is too small for this job, and if I manage to remove the stand, what do I do with Anni?  I won't intentionally lay 'er down! Remember, I don't have access to years worth of collected motorcycle accoutrements or buddies to help.  This is a solo venture, folks, with few tools and less knowledge.



   

[twowings]

Get two or three old tires and lean Anni over on them...

[Chuck in Indiana]

Really, you should be able to use a long pipe as a "persuader" and bend that tang enough to get it away from the muffler a bit.

[malik]

This is a well known issue in the 750 community - and comes up every year or two - there's articles on this in the archives here (probably easier to find on the MG750 yahoo site).

The problem is that the sidestand's tang doesn't quite find the heel. This is my solution - a large bolt, nut & 2 washers. Easy & cheap & works well.

[Huzo]

Ok.
That's a piece of  5/16" or 3/8" mild steel bar.
IF you're careful and don't set fire to the bike, you can determine which direction you need to set the bar, ( do your homework here), and heat it up to yellow, (after shielding the bike properly).
Heat it up in a specific spot  near to the stand as practicable but let it cool for about a minute before you quench it with water.
Test the temperature up near the pivot to make sure you're not over heating the grease in the pivot or associated cycle parts.
If you can touch it briefly with your (or someone else's) hand it'll be fine.
If you do remove the stand, take the doona cover off your bed and wrap Anni in it before leaning her lightly against the wall,  belt anyone over the head who buggerises around in her general vicinity.
Easy really !!!
You don't sound clueless to me..

[Huzo]

Or just do what Chuck said.
And anyway, if you leave Anni on the stand with weight resting on the foot, a quick whack in the CORRECT direction while no one's looking and you'll be off like a bride's nightgown and chugging your first coffee at the nearest roadhouse.
Go, GG !!
BTW..
Your father in law is in Texas you say...
Well it's all quite clear now.
RIDE THE BASTARD TO TEXAS !!!
Now there's a solution.

[yogidozer]

Well yes mate.
Who here is innocent of that crime...
But a SPORT 1100 !!!!
As for "since you can't see it and it worked, so I kept putting it off" reasoning.
That's like having a Urologist grafting a 4" extension where you need it.
Ugly as hell but me thinks..
"Hmmm let me try this thing dear, if it works I'll pretty it up but since you can't see it and it works, I'll keep putting it off"...
But, honestly....
A SPORT 1100....??? !

is that Urologist problem a common one in Australia? sounds more like PMS 

[Huzo]

is that Urologist problem a common one in Australia? sounds more like PMS 

Yeah, I sought his assistance and was in quite a tizz.
He took one look and all he said was.
"Goodness me, all that fuss over such a little thing"..

[yogidozer]

Yeah, I sought his assistance and was in quite a tizz.
He took one look and all he said was.
"Goodness me, all that fuss over such a little thing"..

stop playing with it, let it grow!

[yogidozer]

seriously now, the clamp is fuel line size, adjustment is in the back, you really need to look for it, to see it at all.

[malik]

On the 1100 Sport, the sidestand is in an odd position, way out at the front of the timing case. Eve n my foot has trouble reaching that far, but as I'm slender, with long arms, I find the stand is only a few inches away from the handlebar, so it's easier to use my hand. No problem.

The real difficulty with the Sport is that the stand doesn't really prop the bike up with any real stability, especially when loaded up. I've had any aluminium box section welded to the foot - makes it larger & higher, and works OK. A better solution I've seen is a bracket attached to the pork chop for the stand (some Suzuki sidestand). The triangle thus formed is more equilateral & the bike less inclined to be blown over by a slight breeze. Somewhere I have a photo.

Mal

[Huzo]

stop playing with it, let it grow!

You'd make a good wife Yoge.
'Just can't stand to see a bloke enjoy himself.
I better stop here, this toilet humour is becoming far too comfortable.

[Guzzi Gal]

This is a well known issue in the 750 community - and comes up every year or two - there's articles on this in the archives here (probably easier to find on the MG750 yahoo site).

The problem is that the sidestand's tang doesn't quite find the heel. This is my solution - a large bolt, nut & 2 washers. Easy & cheap & works well.

I did a WG search before posting my inquiry and saw these very pics.  Before your modification, was the tang flat or round? 

Or just do what Chuck said.
And anyway, if you leave Anni on the stand with weight resting on the foot, a quick whack in the CORRECT direction while no ones looking and you'll be off like a bride's nightgown and chugging your first coffee at the nearest roadhouse.
Go, GG !!
BTW...
Your father in law is in Texas you say...
Well, it's all quite clear now.
RIDE THE BASTARD TO TEXAS !!!
Now there's a solution.

 :1: Huzo, you make me LAUGH! 

[Huzo]

seriously now, the clamp is fuel line size, adjustment is in the back, you really need to look for it, to see it at all.

Yeah just joking.

(a sport 1100)...