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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JeffOlson on March 12, 2015, 11:51:34 AM
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What is the trick to using the Norge center stand? I tried to use it the other day, in my garage, but could not get the bike on the stand... (I know, left hand on left handle bar, right hand on left passenger grab rail, foot on center stand extension, pull backwards.) I am afraid I am going to drop the bike if I really try to heave it.
I am fairly strong, 5' 10" tall, and 190+ pounds. I have used center stands before and have had no trouble, not even with my Ducati ST2... The Norge is another matter... If I cannot hoist the Norge onto its center stand, I might as well remove the center stand and stop scraping it!
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I put them up on the centerstand all the time, the trick is to put all your weight on the stand tab as you are lifting on the bars and the rear. On the lift I use the left passenger peg.
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^ Do you mean you grab with your right hand the left passenger foot peg rather than the left passenger grab rail?
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I grab seat rail with right hand and then put all my weight on my right foot and step down hard while pulling up.
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Yes, right hand on the left passenger peg
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Lean into the direction of travel.
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Thanks, everyone. I'll give it another try tonight, but I'll make sure I have a spotter on the right side just in case.
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Im only 5'6", 160lbs. Once I got the hang of it it really became easy, it always goes on the center stand in the garage now and often when fueling at the gas station. I dont pull back, I pull staight up and it goes back on its own. The key for me is to have all my weight on the center stand.
I should add that when the stand first makes contact with the ground I rock the bike a little to make sure both sides are on the ground then stand up on the stand and pull up in one motion.
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^ Thanks! I'll give that a try tonight.
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It helps to have on good sturdy boots to get better downward pressure.
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There must not be any alcohol involvement.
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It helps to have on good sturdy boots to get better downward pressure.
Yes don't try this with slippers! ::)
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It is a PITA, sort of the tank "quick release" writ large. :-[
But, as others note, it's more art than strength.
Still, unless I need the room (rare) and I have a lift for maintenance, I seldom use the center stand. The Norge is more stable on its side stand anyway, so why bother?
And, when Kathi is along, with her "required distaff luggage," fuggitaboutit; I don't even try to get the Norge up, at least by myself. I've had five hernia repairs. That's enough. ;)
Bill
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Yes don't try this with slippers! ::)
Oh, that hurts just thinking about it :'(
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Wear boots and press straight down with your right leg -- HARD! Stand up on your right leg; don't be afraid to lift your left foot off the floor as the bike moves up, so all of your weight is on your right leg.
Use your arms for guiding more than lifting.
EDIT: So you don't think I am selling you a load of bull, I used to own a 2008 Norge. I will admit that this was not the easiest bike to get on its center stand, but IIRC, Moto Guzzi changed the design of the stand as part of the 8V re-design to make it easier to use -- I can't imagine them making it more difficult.
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Just checkin', your Norge doesn't have shorter than stock rear shocks, or the forks lowered in the triple tree? That would make it really hard to get on the center stand.
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^ Nope. Brand new 2014. Unmolested (but not for long!).
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As stated...kinda gotta feel it....but think more of standing on that foot piece, pulling up & back and letting the bike rock up and over the pivot point.....just don't rush it. And once she gets going.....let the momentum carry it through. Then again, every center stand has its own feel, perhaps the 2014 is diff than my '12...
Having owned a Jackal with no CS, am quite curious about the EV'S CS........ I'll find out come June, when I finally go get the bike and meet some of you all at the National!!!!!
Lee
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:+1 on all the advice so far. The only thing that I would add is when getting ready to put it up on the CS be sure that the bike is balanced equal on both legs of the CS. You can kind of feel it as you gently rock it on the CS. Then do what has already been explained. Good Luck.
GliderJohn
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I try to use momentum, I get it level and ready to lift, then rock front to back a little a couple of times and give it a good push to lever it up. Use your whole body. All the other advice; no flip flops, tequila and such are also good points.
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Nope. No way. No how. Can't be done.
I think something must be wrong. I'll have the guys at the club breakfast have a go at in the weekend after next. Perhaps there is something preventing the center stand from deploying fully. Well, I'm off for a ride (and my back hurts now)...
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You didn't say that you leveled the bike before you heaved it.
Make sure both center stand feet are on the floor. The bike will be level.
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Jeff, to make it easier, roll the rear wheel onto 1" piece of wood. That will give things a head start.
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Yes don't try this with slippers! ::)
I can do it even with slippers and I am not a strong guy.
But I do weigh 95 kg and just put all my weight on the stand, even lifting the left foot for additional pressure.
Make sure both feet of the centerstand are flat on the floor. You can check by slightly trying to rock the bike from left to right (easy does it)
Otoh, why bother? Unless you want to clean the bike or do some work on the rear, just put it on the sidestand. I do...
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I had the same issue as you when I bought the Breva, I had no idea how to use the center stand and was about to take it off for the same reason. that is until I watched someone do it, then it became easy as pie. It's still a workout, but it happens every time.
Watch this video on how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6TGuO03wHM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6TGuO03wHM)
There is no special handle on the Norge, I use the sissy bar in my right hand and the handlebar in my left as described in the video. Line it up, step up and put ALL your weight on your right foot and then pull up with your right hand.
If you're having problems, make sure that all of the following are true:
#1 Make sure the bike is out of gear, if the engine catches while you're rocking it back you may or may not be able to complete the action. It sounds like a dumb mistake to make, but I make it all the time. You CAN do it if the engine catches, but that's when your foot hurts.
#2 As mentioned in the video, the ground has to be at least level. Any downslope makes doing this almost impossible. I will even read the layout of a gas station so that I stop going uphill as much as possible. Uphill makes it easy. If you're having problems, point the bike uphill just a bit. Not too much or you'll never get the thing off of it after!
#3 The ground has to be FLAT Make sure there are no humps in the ground where the center stand touches down, they will make it impossible.
Learning to use the center stand is VERY worthwhile for the following reasons:
*I get about 0.6 of a gallon more into the fuel tank if I refuel with the bike on the center stand vs the side stand. That's that much more range in the bike.
*Doing any work to the bike of any kind is much easier with the bike upright. Adjusting the valves, changing plugs and all that is easier.
*You HAVE to have the bike on the center stand to change the oil, the gearbox oil and the CARC oil. This alone will cost you hundreds if you have someone else do it. Not to mention removing the wheels is a doddle.
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Wear boots and press straight down with your right leg -- HARD! Stand up on your right leg; don't be afraid to lift your left foot off the floor as the bike moves up, so all of your weight is on your right leg.
For me, this is also mandatory for it to work.
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There is no special handle on the Norge, I use the sissy bar in my right hand and the handlebar in my left as described in the video. Line it up, step up and put ALL your weight on your right foot and then pull up with your right hand.
What is the sissy bar? Grab handle? I'm 6'2" and not really a weakling, but have had trouble getting the Norge on the center stand. Thanks.
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Jeff, to make it easier, roll the rear wheel onto 1" piece of wood. That will give things a head start.
Makes a BIG difference.
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;-T
I keep this little 'ramp' handy in the garage, and roll the back wheel onto it prior to using the center stand. It's small enough to fit in the bottom of a saddle bag when traveling, when using the center stand is more difficult, since the bike is fully-loaded. I think I made it out of 1" x 3".
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/bcgilligan/IMG_1889_zps5aa71bca.jpg) (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/bcgilligan/media/IMG_1889_zps5aa71bca.jpg.html)
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The wood-under-the-rear-wheel trick looks promising. I'll give that a try tonight.
By the way, flat, level garage floor, Norge leveled side to side so both center stand feet are touching, all my weight on center stand deployment tab...
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I have noticed that some bikes are easier to haul up than others. Those that are easier have less clearance below the rear tire when on the CS. You may be able to reduce the clearance by trying taller profile tires, reduce the sag in the rear shock, or carry a block of wood.
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they key to whole deal is to push the bike away from you so it's level on both legs of the center stand.
:beat_horse :beat_horse :beat_horse
bonus deal: it's great fun to park in the middle of a bunch of parked Harleys where everyone is looking at you. Put it on the center stand and stare back. ;D
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Take your gear off first but leave gloves on afterwards. Everything pointed straight ahead, don't turn the handlebars toward you, big mistake.
Right foot on centerstand push it to contact. Settle the bike level, you'll feel it hit both sides of the center stand when they touch down.
Push down with right foot while pulling bike toward the rear using the handlebar (keep it straight) and the rear passenger grab rail. Don't baby it, a nice smooth pull back. The more you push down with your right foot the better so no sneakers or flip flops if you are into that sort of thing. Works much better with stiff soled boots.
Don't stop the rearward pulling until the Norge pops up on the stand completely.
One point. Don't look forward while pulling rearward, that is a self defeating thing. Look in the direction of travel, always.
To get the Norge off the center stand if you aren't 6' or more, sit to one side so that you have a real good contact with the ground for one foot and push forward, it will come off the stand amazingly easy.
I'm 5'10" and 160 and have no trouble getting the Norge up or down with the center stand.
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You are not trying to do it in gear are you, even with the clutch pulled in it's more difficult.
With a bit of practice you should be able to walk the bike backwards, push the stand down with your foot and it will pop up by itself (doesn't work on a slippery surface)
To take off, climb on the bike with it on center stand, put it in gear, start the motor, rock backwards, jerk forward and the bike will come off the stand as you drop the clutch and zoom away, looks cool when you get it right ;D
(I should say that I don't own a Norge but it works on my other Guzzis)
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Success (sort of)!
This afternoon, I parked the Norge in the driveway rather than in the garage. The garage is flat, while the driveway is slightly sloped. Just for fun, I tried putting the Norge on its center stand. Voilà! However, the front wheel was in the air, while the rear wheel rested on the driveway.
Getting it off its center stand was harder. Fortunately, I am more stout than thin and was able, with a forceful heave ho, to get things back to normal.
At least I know the center stand works (though I do not plan to use it much, except as an asphalt grinder).
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Congratulations. See, it can be done! (Admittedly, not easily.)
To get the bike off the center stand, I have had good luck sitting on the bike while on the center stand (make sure it's in Neutral), and then rocking the bike forward while keeping the fork straight and covering the front brake. You probably have to start with your feet on the pegs, but move them out to hold up the bike as the bike comes off the center stand.
Cheers.
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Success (sort of)!
This afternoon, I parked the Norge in the driveway rather than in the garage. The garage is flat, while the driveway is slightly sloped. Just for fun, I tried putting the Norge on its center stand. Voilà! However, the front wheel was in the air, while the rear wheel rested on the driveway.
Getting it off its center stand was harder. Fortunately, I am more stout than thin and was able, with a forceful heave ho, to get things back to normal.
At least I know the center stand works (though I do not plan to use it much, except as an asphalt grinder).
Yes if you take advantage of the slope going up ;D you pay for it going down ???
It's hard to co-ordinate pushing down with the foot while pulling up but it will get easier with practice.