Finally getting around to installing the Cycle-istic centerstand

[Sledge Hammer]

Well, seven months after taking delivery of my centerstand, I've finally decided to start to prepare to get around eventually to quit procrastinating and to install the thing. My motivating factor is the need to properly align the rear wheel, which is just about impossible (for me, at least) to do with the machine on its sidestand. I knew I had some touch up work on the frame tubes I wanted to do where the local dealership's lift scratched the paint, but it dawned on me that metal-to-metal contact between the angle brackets on the centerstand and the frame tubes could damage the paint on the tubes in an area that would be very difficult to keep clean and dry during the winter. It also occured to me that I might just need to take a pill and to relax and to not worry about it, but before I take the latter course of (in)action, did any of you who have installed the stand take any special precautions? Did anybody who has removed the centerstand found areas where the paint rubbed through?

[Charles S Otwell]

Pretty much anything you clamp or bolt to the frame will leave a mark or scratch, but nothing that should hurt the looks or longivity of the bike. I don't think I've ever seen a motorcycle frame that wasn't scratched, somewhere..

[mainerider]

The benefits of the centerstand far outweigh any potential downsides such as scratched undercarriage paint (and I haven't seen it occur). I love having the stand on my bike; it makes  many maintenance chores much easier.  Get it on there; after using it a few times you'll wish you had installed it much sooner. Good luck.
Joe

PS
Let us know if you find the 2 bolts on your left foot peg loose when you go to install; on many Magnas they seem to work loose over time; you might want to squirt a little Loctite on them.

PPS
Easy to forget but...remember, the sidestand needs to be down before you throw her up on the c-stand and it needs to be down when you take her off the c-stand; the c-stand rests underneath the sidestand.  Twice I've gone to use my sidestand and realized it was tucked up under the c-stand; it means regardless of where you are you need to throw her up on the c-stand, flip the side stand down and then take her off the c-stand.

[Sledge Hammer]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. And thanks, Mainrider for the reminder about needing to deploy the sidestand. I almost dropped mine in the garage when I thought the sidestand was down but it really wasn't. Had I not even been able to get to it, it would have been A Bad Thing for sure.

[Magnum Magna]

I have the wider / taller tire (170/80) and with just a little time of using the centerstand it is easy to use.  I can do it with soft sole shoes but it is so much easer with stiff sole boots.  On the last trip it was so nice to just pop it up on the centerstand and oil the chain. To get the motion to be second nature park facing up hill on a driveway with just a slight up grade slope.  After you practice on that, flat areas will become easy also. 

[Sledge Hammer]

Thanks for the tip, Robert. I just wish the bike had better grab points for lifting up the back, like the one a friend at work has on his ZZR. But I had a short e-mail chat with Dobie recently, and he says he thinks his up-coming, heavy-duty, aluminum luggage rack should be strong enough to assist in getting the bike on the centerstand.   

One of the reasons I have refrained from going on any long trips with my bike yet is that for a whole lot of emergency maintenance scenarios, there's not much alternative to having a centerstand. Having one on his Suzuki Bandit 1200 saved a friend of mine from a world of hurt when he had a flat tire in the middle of Big Bend park.

[Magnum Magna]

I just wish the bike had better grab points for lifting up the back

I lift very little but steady the bike at the rear of the front seat.

[Charles S Otwell]

 I have an inexpensive motorcycle jack and I never had any problems lifting mine, I have left the bike on the jack for days at a time with the rear wheel off without any issues, the front also. You were talking about lifting with a jack, weren't you?

[lragan]

Charles, do you carry the jack with you on long rides?  If so, make and model, please.

[Charles S Otwell]

I just wish the bike had better grab points for lifting up the back

I guess I was assuming grab points was referring to a jack , as the stand would be bolted on and not need to grab anything but I was wrong once before .

[mainerider]

Mike,
Just one more thing; I believe the instruction sheet might mention this but in case it doesn't... due mostly to the Magna sitting relatively low to the ground the legs of the c-stand rest at a sharp angle relative to the ground. So, to make the job of putting the bike up on the c-stand MUCH easier, parking the rear tire up onto a small 3/4 inch or thicker sheet of plywood (or similar) greatly eases the job since it cuts down on the angle at which the legs first contact the ground.  In other words, raising the rear tire puts the stand legs closer to perpendicular to the ground when they first touch down.  Hope this helps.
Joe

[Sledge Hammer]

Another good point -- thanks, Joe.