1. Some members were not receiving emails sent from XJbikes.com. For example: "Forgot your password?" function to reset your password would not send email to some members. I believe this has been resolved now. Please use "Contact Us" form (see page footer link) if you still have email issues. SnoSheriff

    Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

Center Stand Trick for new riders or new to center stands

Discussion in 'XJ DIY How-To Instructions' started by Metal_Bob, Aug 21, 2010.

  1. Chance

    Chance Member

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Rockland, Ontario, Canada
    I'm 5'7'' and even with flat tires and extra material was able to put my 550 on its center stand. It was all technique, but I was lucky, my neighbors sons father inlaw is an instructor, so I asked him....
     
  2. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,754
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    I knew this 5'0" lady. Saw her put a fully dressed Goldwing on the center stand (not an electic stand). She was 72 years old.
    Yes, it's all technique.
     
    Chance likes this.
  3. Chance

    Chance Member

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Rockland, Ontario, Canada
    What I would like to see is a video on how to pick your bike off the ground easy, I know there is a technique for that too, I missed seeing a guy in his late 70's early 80's pickup a massive Honda Goldwing that was blown over after a storm, by the time I pulled over, got my seat belt off, and got out to help him the bike was back up on it's stand.
     
  4. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    596
    Likes Received:
    339
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Ireland
    Goldies have many useful sticking out bits - engine bars, luggage racks, etc, which are handy leverage points to roll the whale over on and lift it from, too.
    My GSs have similar - even a nicely positioned set of engine cases don't have to stick out too far to be useful, but they're also put further out by the more prominent cases on the 'Zuks than the slimline XJs have.
    When I dropped the XJ9 in the workshop, it was a bitch to get back up - the engine bars hugged the sides very closely, and while they protect the cases well, they lack the projection needed to roll very effectively on the ground when you're trying to heave it up. I resorted to using a floor jack with wood packing under the side of the cyl head to raise it enough for me to get a good grip and heave. The XJ9 is a good bit lighter than the GS850, too.
     
  5. Chance

    Chance Member

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Rockland, Ontario, Canada
    hmmm... will have to think about that....I have some 1 and a 1/2 " chrome tubes in the back shed, wonder how hard it would be to bend them.....lol
     
  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,754
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    Hint. Your back whould be next to the bike, not your belly.
    Grab the frame where you would to use the center stand, and the left grip.
    Lift with your legs, pushing against the seat with your posterior.
    Deploy the sidestand with your right foot.

    If you have to lift from the right side deploy the kickstand before you lift and prepare for the weird feeling you'll get in your tummy when the bike rolls back over center.

    WIth practice you'll be able to balance the bike as you reposition your body to face the bike.
     
    Chance likes this.
  7. Chance

    Chance Member

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Rockland, Ontario, Canada
    Thank you I just printed this off, I'll give a copy to my son as well.
     
  8. KShockney

    KShockney Member

    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Hilliard Ohio
    Well then....I feel stupid because it takes me and 1 other person to get my bike up. And multiple experienced bikers have tried...they just can't do it alone
     
  9. Chance

    Chance Member

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Rockland, Ontario, Canada
    Are you running your xj650 stock or have you changed the ride height in any way, ie smaller tire in front or lowered suspension? If I put something under my bike to raise it and extra inch for the center stand It's near impossible to raise properly. Put my 750 on its center stand with a lot of difficulty with two flat tires. height makes a difference.
     
  10. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,754
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    Ignore the absolutism in that post (meaning the one that you responded to).
    When putting the bike on the center stand I find that it's easiest to act as if you are stretching a huge rubber band. Set the center stand feet flat on the floor, then push down with your left foot on the stand, and simultaniously pull up with your right arm on the frame. Your right foot should be lifted up during the process to help you keep your effort focued between the stand and the frame. All your effort should be spent on extending your left leg and pulling up with you right arm to "stretch that rubber band."
    The stand mounts may be worn or corroded, which will make it more difficult to put the bike up on the stand.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2016
    Chance, Lightcs1776 and MattiThundrrr like this.
  11. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,860
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    excellent discription on how to do it .
    I am thinking that KShockney may not be able to stand close enough ( or isnt standing close enough) to the bike with the saddle bags
     
  12. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,754
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    Could be. I have my right thigh almost touching the seat edge when I begin.
     
  13. KShockney

    KShockney Member

    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Hilliard Ohio
    No that's all stock
     
  14. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,860
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    before i had my grab bar it was quite the feat to pull the bike onto centerstand now after pratcing a little its 2 fingers on the grab bar push down like on centerstand like you were kick starting the bike and lift at same time it almost jumps up by it self. its just timing
     
  15. Chance

    Chance Member

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Rockland, Ontario, Canada
    IF your Center stand is stock too then it's gotta be either what K-moe was saying or XJ550H and practice. Before I got good at it I used to lift the back of the bike and have my kids put the center stand down for me at home. I'm no weakling and I had difficulty until I was shown by my neighbor who also rides. and lots of practice.
     
  16. Dave in Ireland

    Dave in Ireland Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    596
    Likes Received:
    339
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Ireland
    You needn't have modified the suspension - time did it. Springs sag with age. It's amazing the difference a half inch or inch makes when you put new springs in. The bike is back to being what the centrestand was designed for and it all becomes much, much easier.
     
    Chance and k-moe like this.
  17. Lightcs1776

    Lightcs1776 Active Member

    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    197
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    That's it! That is the excuse I am going to use.
     
    Dave in Ireland likes this.
  18. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,203
    Likes Received:
    719
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    SE South Dakota
    I use the excuse I'm sagging from old age anytime someone needs a sofa or appliance moved...:eek:
     
  19. Chance

    Chance Member

    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Rockland, Ontario, Canada
    Should have thought of that, that is why I have my trailer on blocks so the suspension doesn't sag, dumb, dumb dumb, dumb....lol nice catch Dave in Ireland...
     
  20. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,696
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    London Ontario Canada
    Lots of suggestions and funny comments in this old post so I thought I'd throw out how I do it. With luck I'll have added this link properly and you will see a short video. If not I'll have to come back and fiddle with the link.
     
  21. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,754
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    The video linked fine, but you have youtube viewing permissions for it set to private.
     
  22. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,696
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    London Ontario Canada
    That's weird, I have every box on every page selected as public. Oh well, got to be at work in a few hours. Guess I'll just have to sort it out then.
     
  23. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,696
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    London Ontario Canada
    So, I went back into Youtube and figured out that I didn't click on "PUBLISH".
    I hope this link works, if not then I will delete my posts.
    Link:
     
    Lightcs1776 and k-moe like this.
  24. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,754
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    All good, except you spelled center funny.

    I'll have to try that on my Seca when I get back home. Weight isn't usually as much of a hindernace as the geometry of the center stand and suspension.
     
  25. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,696
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    London Ontario Canada
    ...and here I thought that the original poster had made a typo! :eek:
     
    k-moe likes this.
  26. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    9,751
    Likes Received:
    2,097
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Beaver Falls, PA
    i don't have the grab handle on my seca to pick up with but a rag looped around the top of the shock works well
     
  27. Lightcs1776

    Lightcs1776 Active Member

    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    197
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    OK, the secret to the center stand is .... practice until you figure out the motion. I tried and tried, with miserable results. Hogfiddles even showed me how to put it on the stand in person. However, it wasn't until I finally got it on the center stand that it clicked. Once you get it there, it will become incredibly easy. I recommend having a second person on the other side of the bike to give you a bit more confidence in the process.
     
    k-moe likes this.

Share This Page