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[Rodders]

I've just about finished the restoration of my 500 Twin. Perhaps a bit late in the day I am trying to improve the stability of the ali centre stand. The spindle is seized on the sleeve so I need to remove the rear engine plate(s). If I have supported the engine and gearbox, with the rear wheel grounded is there much tension on the frame bolt passing through the engine plates or do I need to remove the rear suspension, rear wheel etc. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

[Mark M]

Rodders, it's fiddly but you can do it. The long stud may be tight, these early frames are quite flexible around the swingarm pivot and may have taken on a set making the holes mis-aligned. Nothing you can't handle with a tyre lever to take the pressure off. Make sure the bike is well tied down with ratchet straps or similar because when the plates and stand are off it will overbalance very easily!

REgards, Mark

[Rodders]

Thanks Mark. I don't suppose you have any tips on making the prop stand more stable as well. I'd like to keep the original and have read about them being the worst designed part on the bike. I wondered about trying to weld a small leg on to the prop, but the real problem seems to be stopping the fitting (including the footrest fitting which is locks into) from rotating in the socket. I suppose I can only tighten it as much as possible and use it with caution.

Regards
Rod

[Mark M]

Yes, it's a carp stand. The trick to stopping it rotating on it's taper is to scrape the paint on the two mating parts back to bare metal and then assemble it wet so a bit of rust develops inside the joint. A few days rusting and it'll be fine. Once it's solid it's quite good!

REgards, Mark

[Nettshubby]

just put it back in the pond with the other carp!

[Revband]

Or if you don't like the rust idea, Loctite in the joint also works.

[Mark M]

Netts, that was a deliberate mis-spelling to save the blushes of delicate readers! Loctite is a good idea, I might use that on a Super Meteor project I have that has had the frame powder coated, thanks.

REgards, Mark

[Rodders]

Thanks all, good ideas there.