Ok. I thought this would be a snap, but no - not for me! I just installed a very nice looking center stand from Cycle-istic, but I cannot, for the life of me, get the bike up on it! I have tried actually following instructions, too! Supposedly you stand on the left side of the bike (with the side stand deployed) and press down firmly on the center stand with your right foot while lifting up on something solid on the rear end (like under the rear fender). So, what's my problem? I know that a lot of you have written that "it's a snap once you get the hang of it". So, am I missing something? I've even tried standing over the bike and rocking it backward to get it up, a'la Goldwing. But, nope - mine won't do it. So, what am I missing? I could sure use some well seasoned advice! John
Here's what works for me on center stands:
Don't try to pop the stand up while the bike is leaning toward you on the side stand. Straighten the bike up slightly so that both feet of the center stand are already touching the ground. (Be careful not to straighten it up too much or you may find the bike falling away from you.)
Then try the usual procedure. While keeping foot pressure on the center stand so both of its feet touch, pull back on the handle bars with the left hand (if you need to) while lifting the rear with the right hand. I don't recommend pulling on a plastic part of the rear fender but rather something metal like the luggage rack or the passenger foot peg. And of course step down firmly on the center stand lever when you do this.
Hope that helps.
EDIT: Curtis brings up a good point about the bike being lowered.
Your bike hasn't been lowered, has it? That would make it almost impossible to get on a center stand.
Curtis
Jesse gave a good discription of the procedure. It took me a few tries to get my bike up on the center stand. I do put my hand on the left hand grip but I don't pull on it. I just use it to keep the front end straight.
I just ran out to Betty to check my procedure. I put my left foot on the center stand after both it's balance points are on the ground, my right hand under the rack, left hand holding the front end straight. I just stand up on the peg with all my 135 pounds, lift with the right hand and there it is. It isn't so much pulling back as it is lifting up.
Jess cautioned not tipping the bike too far to the right when putting both feet of the stand on the ground. Tiping the bike over was one of my fears, but if you try on a cememnt surface, you can not only feel the other foot hit, I could hear it. I went so far as to get someone to stand on the other side. Also, a level surface is helpful. If you try to do it up hill, it is more difficult, If the incline is towards the rear, it will be much more difficult to put it back down.
I use the centerstand when I gas up so I can get each fill up as close to the last as possible. Good luck John. It will be a snap for you very soon.
I just installed one today and used it per instructions and it worked fine.
Another thought: Did you leave the side stand down when you were trying to use the center stand? It has to be down when the bike is put on the center stand as well as taken off.
Ok. I've finally got it. It just takes getting it right a few times to learn the technique.
As for lowering....no...In fact, I just raised it by putting a new Metzler 170/80 on the back. By the way, the handling is now great, and the bike turns tighter circles due to the larger tires....easier to U-turn!
Thanks for all the tips! John
John going with a wider tire did you modify the Brakestay Rod?
Yep...Cycleistic brakestay and their new centerstand! I think I've finally got it all working! The only problem is that I'm almost afraid to use the kickstand anymore as the bike sits up so much higher with the big rear tire that the bike has to lean farther over on the kickstand. I'll use it in my garage with a 2x4 under it, but anywhere else, I feel like I've got to use the centerstand. Has anyone tried extending the kickstand, or is there a longer one from another bike that might fit? Or, am I just being too cautious about not wanting my bike to fall over?!!
Too cautious. Actually I've never seen a bike fall over toward the side stand (except when they didn't put anything under it to keep it from sinking in soft dirt). Some non cruiser style bikes stand so upright on the side stand they have been known to blow over. In my book more leaning is better.
Curtis
I'm with CUrtis, just don't lean it down a slope, or up for that matter. As for the soft ground, I carry a 4"x4" piece of 1/2" plywood just incase I have to park in a yard or other dubious situation. When I bought Betty, she was parked in the kids yard and it had fallen over. One of the rear turn signals was broken but still working. I asked for a discount and he knocked off another $50. I already had him down to 1100 so I got a pretty good deal, I think.
Thanks. The 4x4x1/2 is a good idea. I think I'll keep one in my bag! I just wasn't used to the bike going waayyyy over when I put the kickstand down! I supposed I thought it might be too much load on the stand attachment point, and possibly break.... but I'll take your word for it being ok!