Philosophy of Side Stands

[moto]

HD Aermacchi Sprints had their sidestands on the right. Why? Something got lost in translation? 

Because the kickstarter was on the left. See these photos: https://madison.craigslist.org/mpo/d/madison-1970-harley-davidson-350-sprint/7241797708.html.

Moto

[twowheeladdict]

My 1975 Kawasaki KT250 has the side stand on the right, as do many of the trials bikes of that time period.

[nc43bsa]

Didn't OSSA and Montesa have the side stand on the right?

[Muzz]

Yes, my Vincent Comet has a side-stand on both sides.
I don't think it had a centre-stand as we normally expect but the fender stays would swing down to hold either wheel off the ground.

You beat me to it Roy. Was just going to mention that my bro's Comet has them on both sides.

[Calidavid]

For the EV stand being had to retract. Yes it is!!!!!!

First thing to try is using your heel on the rubber nub instead of your toe. Makes a big difference. Second....Caution.. ..this can cause the stand to fall on it's own if a spring breaks......... is to remove one of the springs. Also drill a new hole in the center of the triangle spring holder that attaches to the stand and put the spring in the new hole. This keeps decent tension, almost too tight, but the original spring holes make it TOO loose.

Also thanks for reminding me what brand bikes had the RH stand. I knew some brads of dirt/enduro bikes had it.

Tom

Or try turning the tab over, which is under the nut/bolt that the stand pivots on. I have done that on my Black Eagle and it makes all the difference.

David

[flower_king001]

Its not a side stand, but  what is that aftermarket center stand named that you can ride off of and will it mount on a Guzzi? (Hope this doesn't derail the thread)

 That was a REYNOLD'S RIDE OFF STAND made for Air-Head BMW's. As far as I know they made nothing for a Guzzi.

[John Warner]

I recently fitted a R/H Stand to a friend's '99 Triumph 900 Tiger.
He has reduced strength in his right Leg, so has trouble getting the Standard (L/H) Stand down safely.

It's a standard Tiger Stand, but I cut and lengthened it slightly (due to a higher mounting position/angle), and rotated the end so the 'Foot' contacts the ground properly.
I made a Mounting Plate from 6mm Steel Plate, which is sandwiched between the Frame and the R/H Footrest Mount.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Its not a side stand, but  what is that aftermarket center stand named that you can ride off of and will it mount on a Guzzi? (Hope this doesn't derail the thread)

Bates made them for Guzzis, here's one on a Loopframe:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Bates-Ride-Off-Stand-Guzzi-Loop-Frame-Eldorado-Ambassador-Police-Cop-Bike-/303518987495

[Stevex]

Triumph stand on modded oem mounting plate.
None auto flip up.

[ozarquebus]

Thanks Antietam! You could just about use the pictures from the ad to build one.

1000SPII Sidestand:
I recently had the broken leg of the crummy 1000SPII sidestand repaired with a reinforced weld. Hope it will hold. I know the Brown sidestand is the best solution, since I put one on a BMW, but has anyone modified the existing SP sidestand leg to improve its stability? Such as adding a large foot to its base that extends farther outboard?

[rtbickel]

My 75 Can-Am 250 had the stand on the right and the kickstarter on the left

[Siamese]

Doesn't it make sense to have the side stand on the same side as the shifter? 

[DaveJT]

Doesn't it make sense to have the side stand on the same side as the shifter?

It has to be the left side. ( left is sinister ).  We are a right handed people’s. It feels more “natural” to throw a right leg over the seat. Hence, left handed side stand. 

[Muzz]

It has to be the left side. ( left is sinister ).  We are a right handed people’s. It feels more “natural” to throw a right leg over the seat. Hence, left handed side stand. 

Makes sense.

[mtiberio]

Wanted something lighter for my police Eldo when I had it in land speed racer mode. Here is a modified Tonti sidestand on a loop.
I bought it off ebay for my Tonti land speed racer and it came bent/useless (thanks mark  ), sat in my junk heap for 3 years.
Had a welder friend fab a brace, tighten up the bend, shorten the rod and rebend the foot.

[Guzzistajohn]

 Right as rain : )

[n3303j]

RH Sidestand will tangle with the curb parallel parked in USA (right side drive lane). It will also drop the bike lower when parked as roads are crowned high side left in USA (right side drive lane).
What portion of MG sales are in countries that drive to the left of center?

[Guzzistajohn]

I got pulled over by a moto cop one time on a four lane. The sloping shoulder made it really difficult for the cop to deploy the left sidestand, dismount and approach me sitting on the bike. He finally re started and parked at an angle so he could get off the bike. It was QUITE humorous. He pulled me over to "check my equipment" '83 LeMans III.

[DaveJT]

RH Sidestand will tangle with the curb parallel parked in USA (right side drive lane). It will also drop the bike lower when parked as roads are crowned high side left in USA (right side drive lane).
What portion of MG sales are in countries that drive to the left of center?

+1. But I thought parallel parking is a “no”.  Isn’t the law to be backed in wheel touching curb at about a  45 degree angle?

[SIR REAL ED]

 Right as rain : )

Most of the trials bikes I have seen have side stands on the right side.  Many Beta's are exceptions.  Seems to be a desire to package the side stand on the opposite side of the chain drive.  Although KTM's and some Euro bikes don't follow this packaging scheme.

Default mode of side stand on left, like mounting a horse from the left to accommodate one's sword is much more common than right side stand.

[tris]

....
The only issue I have with side stands is that on the EV models (my Stone included), why in the world couldn’t that have placed it where a person with a 30” inseam could reach it without having to slide all the way up on the tank😡😡😡,,,,,

DARN RIGHT - but they are VERY side stands

[Guzzistajohn]

Most of the trials bikes I have seen have side stands on the right side.  Many Beta's are exceptions.  Seems to be a desire to package the side stand on the opposite side of the chain drive.  Although KTM's and some Euro bikes don't follow this packaging scheme.

Default mode of side stand on left, like mounting a horse from the left to accommodate one's sword is much more common than right side stand.

All of my trials machines have except the Gas Gas’s

[philwarner]

Nope nope. Dual side stands would mean two side stand interlocks in series.  I’ve tried the raise the kickstand with your left hand thing. It’s kinda cool, but a bit awkward, I’d hate to fall over.

    What about side stand interlocks?  Do we really need them?  Has anyone ever tried to ride off with his side stand down?

  The switch on my 96 Cali side stand was disconnected when I bought it and I have left it that way because once I stopped to visit a friend when I was on my Triumph America and put the side stand down and forgot to turn off the ignition switch which is down on the left side. It was a bright sunny day and I didn't notice the ignition light.  Result?  Dead battery and no start.     I once observed a fellow in a parking lot having his bike die every time he shifted to first with the side stand up;  bad side stand switch.

  I figure that's why there is a handy kill switch on my Guzzi if I need to turn the engine off before leaving it in gear and releasing the clutch so it can't roll.  BTW, I like the nice heavy side stand on the Cali.  The only drawback to the length is if I back into a tight space in my bike shed without enough room for it to swing out; better to adjust the position of the bike than risk it falling over with a lesser stand.

[Tom H]

    What about side stand interlocks?  Do we really need them?  Has anyone ever tried to ride off with his side stand down?

I have but only on my BMW. It is under the cylinder, so you can't easily see it. Startling, but it folded right up.

Tom

[RinkRat II]

      On my K75, clutch and sidestand are interlocked however when you pull in the clutch the sidestand retracts and off you go.

         Paul B
   

[SmithSwede]

    What about side stand interlocks?  Do we really need them?  Has anyone ever tried to ride off with his side stand down?

Yes, I’m guilty of that.  Nearly got decapitated for my carelessness 40 years ago. 

I had gone to see my Dad one afternoon. and parked my RD 400 on the side stand.  Then a motorcycle friend of mine joined us.  One thing lead to another, and I wound up putting the RD on the center stand.  I think to lube the chain.  But I left the side stand still deployed. 

I stayed till after dark.  Pushed bike off center stand without remembering the side stand being down.  Oddly enough my route back was all right curves or straight sections for many miles, so I’m boldly zipping along with no concerns until I hit the big left sweeper and simply cannot lean over far enough to make it. 

No worrries I think—I‘ll just bip over into the “empty” field adjacent to the curve and hit the brakes.   

I will never forget the flashing image of the guy wire for the phone pole zipping inches past my helmet.   Could not see it in the dark until I was already on it. 

I still hate side stand interlock switches.   But am paranoid about checking that all landing gear is stowed before putting bike in gear. 

[ohiorider]

Yes. 

All my previous bikes since 1983 had a side stand interlock.  The R100GS, however, used a 'Hitler's Revenge' side stand that retracted as soon as weight of the bike was lifted off of it.  Unfortunately, on the R100GS models, the stand is located so far to the front, I couldn't put it down without first dismounting.  Got to be a real issue as I got older.  So, I installed an aftermarket stand that could be deployed from the saddle, but it came with no spring preload or electrical interlock.

So yes, after building up 23 years of muscle memory of not having to retract the stand, I have headed out a time or two and scared the crap out of myself when the stand hit the pavement leaving the driveway.

I need to wire some sort of interlock switch to the stand    .......   maybe simply ground out the coil.

[Tom H]

On the R75/5. If you loosen the engine mount nut and rotate the stand spring bracket forward with the side stand deployed, it will stay down. If you want it to retract like BMW wants it too. Loosen engine mount nut, rotate the spring bracket reward with the side stand up and tighten the nut. Now it pops up when you raise the bike off the stand.

I didn't mind the auto retract (except for having to hold it down with my foot until weight was on it) until I sat on the RH saddle bag and heard a "click". You wanna talk about a oh crud moment!!!! No stopping it from falling over.

I have also been concerned if a strong wind hit the bike just right and took just enough weight off the stand.

I have considered a switch to kill the bike when in gear if the stand is down. But then again if I rode it more than I do I would have the muscle memory to always pull the stand.

Tom

[ohiorider]

On the R75/5. If you loosen the engine mount nut and rotate the stand spring bracket forward with the side stand deployed, it will stay down. If you want it to retract like BMW wants it too. Loosen engine mount nut, rotate the spring bracket reward with the side stand up and tighten the nut. Now it pops up when you raise the bike off the stand.

I didn't mind the auto retract (except for having to hold it down with my foot until weight was on it) until I sat on the RH saddle bag and heard a "click". You wanna talk about a oh crud moment!!!! No stopping it from falling over.

I have also been concerned if a strong wind hit the bike just right and took just enough weight off the stand.

I have considered a switch to kill the bike when in gear if the stand is down. But then again if I rode it more than I do I would have the muscle memory to always pull the stand.

Tom

I still had the oem stand on the bike when she quit running on the Indiana Toll Road in 2005, and I glided over to the shoulder of the road.  I cringed every time an 18 wheeler went past, and the GS rocked back and forth.  I was thinking the same as you ..... what happens if a strong wind hits the bike! 

My muscle memory must be going to hell at age of 78!

Bob

[willowstreetguzziguy]

“Necessity is the mother of invention”

Back in 2014, I needed more legroom on my new to me 1200 Sport. so I added 1” foam under my seat and someone here sold me 1.5” lower foot pegs. All’s well but the stock side stand would not retract because of the lower foot pegs. Considered a European side stand but then I realized I could cut the 3”  tang off of the stock side stand at just the right angle to shorten it and then I designed a foot  and had a local welder weld it on. I primed and painted it and for almost 7 years it has served me well. And it tucks up nicely away from the shift lever. No need for a Euro side stand!