1100 Sport Automatic Side Stand - Any Mods/Improvements?

[ajpjive]

Hi all,

Been enjoying my 1100 Sport for the past little while now, but I sure despise the automatic retracting sidestand. I've darn near dropped it in the garage a couple times now, and it's a pain to swing down when parking. So, I've been considering possible changes.

I've thought about filing down to remove the auto-up feature, but I worry about making a permanent change as the stands seem to be fairly hard to find anymore. For those that have made this change, does the stand still lock up well while riding?  I've similarly considered picking up a V11 sidestand to play around with, as I think the coat hanger loop looks cool and would be easier to put down. Are they interchangeable (or at least relatively)? Any other stand modifications/changes you'd recommend instead?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Best,
Andy

[guzzisteve]

If yours has a knob the spring wraps around, chop it off flush and it'll stay down or you flip it up. I cut off plenty years ago. Die grinder works fine.

[yogidozer]

Yeah, I removed that thing long ago. Forgot about it until you mentioned it.
Coat hanger, or even a hose clamp that you can catch with your toe. Can't hardly notice it when retracted.

[Tusayan]

Yes, the stand locks in the retracted position same as ever when the auto-extend feature is removed.  The hazard (if there is one) is the possibility of riding off with the stand extended, which when the stand hits the ground will wear the aluminum foot. 

My side stands were modified in the first few days of ownership, and later models implemented a side stand switch that can be back fitted using V11 Sport parts, if you want.

[jwinwi]

Remove the OEM screw and replace it with a button head screw and a washer from your local hardware store.

[ajpjive]

That sounds great; thank you all!

jwinwi--does changing the screw solve the auto-retract function?

[jwinwi]

That sounds great; thank you all!

jwinwi--does changing the screw solve the auto-retract function?

Yes it does. The spring/plate passes over the top of the button head so the stand stays down until you put it up. You'll need a washer with a larger OD than the head of the screw to hold the stand in place. I centered the washer under the screw head and tightened 'er down. Been working for the past 16 years.
 Someone had removed the top part of the original screw but it looked like they used a hammer and chisel...

[QuattroValvole]

Please do be careful about retracting the stand before riding off. Making a quick left turn with the stand down can jack the front wheel right off the ground with a subsequent immediate loss of control. I'm certain that this is the reason for the original self retracting design. I've heard of this happening at high speed as well, but haven't experienced it myself.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Please do be careful about retracting the stand before riding off. Making a quick left turn with the stand down can jack the front wheel right off the ground with a subsequent immediate loss of control. I'm certain that this is the reason for the original self retracting design. I've heard of this happening at high speed as well, but haven't experienced it myself.

Yes, some side stands are less likely to do that, but the Sport could put you on the ground. I would approach disabling it with a little fear and trepidation.
As Tusayan says..

and later models implemented a side stand switch that can be back fitted using V11 Sport parts, if you want.

[jwinwi]

Please do be careful about retracting the stand before riding off. Making a quick left turn with the stand down can jack the front wheel right off the ground with a subsequent immediate loss of control. I'm certain that this is the reason for the original self retracting design. I've heard of this happening at high speed as well, but haven't experienced it myself.

Caution is always good when it comes to riding. Based on where the Spot's sidestand is located, the easiest way I've found to retract it is to do it before getting in the saddle. Grab the front brake, kick the stand up, swing a leg over and ride it like you stole it!
Obviously, not possible when carrying a passenger or luggage on the passenger seat...

[rocker59]

The two things to "fix" it, as mentioned, are:

1) change the bolt out to a flat head, so the spring link passes over the bolt.
2) change to a V11 Sport/LeMans sidestand with the wire loop extension.

"problem" solved.

I never had a problem with the spring retractor on my Sport 1100, but the bike was dropped three times during its life by unauthorized persons swinging a leg over the bike, lifting it off its sidestand, then trying to lean it back onto its sidestand.  Of course we know what happened.  The sidestand was retracted and the bike was dropped.  Two broken shift arms. 

I began using a bungee from the sidestand to the front brake rotor when parked, if I thought there was any chance some random person would want to swing a leg over the bike when I wasn't looking.

Funny (sad) story:

Back in the mid-1990s, a friend bought a new Bimota DB2 in beautiful tricolore paint.  One weekend he proudly rode it out to a big sport bike hangout and parked it prominently, for all to see.  It was a windy day and the bike had a full fairing.  The wind was able to lift the bike just enough for the spring loaded sidestand to retract.  A moment of disbelief ensued as the crowd watched from just out of reach of the motorcycle.  It stood on its two wheels momentarily, then slowly listed left and fell to the pavement.  A grown man cried that day.  The left side of the fairing had to be repaired and repainted at great expense!  Oh, how he hated Italian retracting side stands after that day!

[ajpjive]

Perfect, thanks for the advice gents! Swung past the hardware store on the way to the office today, and I'm excited to try out the non-auto kickstand tonight. If I like it, I might pick up a side stand switch to graft on there. If I don't, I'll revert back.

Rocker59--goodness I'd be devastated if that happened! Although my paint's not in terrific shape after the last owner dropped it, I'd sure be bummed if I knocked it over again!

-Andy

[wirespokes]

Back in the mid-1990s, a friend bought a new Bimota DB2 in beautiful tricolore paint.  One weekend he proudly rode it out to a big sport bike hangout and parked it prominently, for all to see.  It was a windy day and the bike had a full fairing.  The wind was able to lift the bike just enough for the spring loaded sidestand to retract.  A moment of disbelief ensued as the crowd watched from just out of reach of the motorcycle.  It stood on its two wheels momentarily, then slowly listed left and fell to the pavement.  A grown man cried that day.  The left side of the fairing had to be repaired and repainted at great expense!  Oh, how he hated Italian retracting side stands after that day!

There are similar stories about the R100RS - and probably the RT as well. Same situation - self retracting side stand. Wind rocks the bike, stand retracts, bike goes down. Even worse, at rallies guys would park side by side, so there'd be the Domino effect.