Hitchcocks Forum

Just bought a 2009 classic efi. The centre stand doesn't hold the bike high enough off the ground. I can't spin the rear wheel. Any ideas please?

Piece of old plywood to put where the stand will be? I have one ready for any servicing needs or whatever. Otherwise, watch if there's a bump or a dip where you park.

-C

Can you spin the front wheel? If not as said, could be bigger wheels or tyres.

My 350 was the same after fitting progressive fork springs. A bead or two of weld along the bottom of the stand sorted that.

Another point as I don't think the stands have changed much in the last 20 years.



Check the action of the stand. It should swivel around the bar that runs through the frame, but often this bearing gets stiff and the bar rotates in the frame, wearing the metal away.
This can lead to oval holes in the frame and the stand not doing it's job. (I will go check mine today, not looked in months).



a little silicone grease on the shaft is good as it helps repel water.



These stands always leave the bike lower than a Honda would. Usually a "four point" park (stand and both wheels touching) is ok as long as you cannot easily rock the bike sideways but on hard standing only, not fields! otherwise as mentioned before, look for a slight bump, or carry a bit of plywood or have weld or a thin piece of metal welded onto the stand.




Do check for correct action as above, on all bullets once in a while.

Interesting what you said, Scaly. The centre stands on my 500ES and Electra X both left both wheels on the ground. Bizarre, really, and I had to use a piece of wood whenever I wanted to spin the rear wheel for lubing the chain.



However, the stand on my new B5 works great - it lifts the rear wheel clear, and it's quite easy to tip it back to lift the front when I want to spin it to get to the valve.



I just assumed they'd improved the design. Could it be smaller wheels, or something, instead?

There is a preventative measure you can take to prevent the stand wearing. Not a cure though.
CLICK HERE

I have a 2010 EFI and there's no problem with the stand.

Thanks guys. Plank of wood works a treat. I have noticed that my efi classic had 19" wheels! I thought that 18" was the standard issue? Perhaps this is another of the unhelpful modifications of previous owner!

Drill the centre stand shaft, tap it and screw in a grease nipple before it gets any worse, this can all be done on the bike if you dont mind working upside down on the floor. or easier to do while the stand is off the bike while being painted.