Centerstand install

[SgtBunny]

Ok, I finally got time to install my centerstand.

First off, this thing was a pain in the butt to install.

Secondly, I have Cobra exhaust and it rubs real bad.  I cannot get the exhaust to dent with a hammer and dowel rod where to foot lever crosses the exhaust....HELP!!!

Lastly, I did the alternate install where the spring is on it already and expanded using quarters.  I for the life of me cannot get it up on the centerstand.  I have done exactly what the directions say and my 230lbs on the lever does not seem to be enough.  Any ideas here too.

thanks

[Tinman]

I'm sure this will not be much help.
I have been told it is all in the technique and you can put any bike
up in the centerstand.
I did not get one because I have tried on 2 different Valk IS and could not
even get it to budge. Both my friends are quite a bit heavier than my 195
and I suffer from noassatall.
That being said I witnessed Phyllis put her bike on the center stand no problem.
If you know her she is a full size woman.
Go eat a big steak and a pot of beans talk to Daniel Meyer for proper precedure and go for it!

[Black Dog]

Did you install the 'grab rail' on the left side?  If so, the best I can tell ya is hold the left handle bar grip, with yer left hand...  Grab the grab rail with your right hand...  Put your foot on the stand peg, and push it down to the ground while holding the bike 'upright' (off the side stand) and level, and be sure both feet of the stand are on the ground...  While lifting to the rear with the grab rail, push down on the stand peg (I use all of my 270 lbs), and roll it back and up on the stand...

Some folks have had luck in riding the rear wheel up on the broad side of a 2X4,  and doing the above process (allowing a better start angle for deploying the stand)...  This might give you an idea on how the bike feels while going up on the stand.

I think it will get easier, once ya get the hang of it.

Black Dog

[Garland]

I installed mine with a bunch of washers. I am still finding a few here and there when they flew off after using the stand initially. The first few times I set the bike on the centerstand were a workout. I finally figured out that I was not setting both feet of the stand down before rocking back. Now I can get it up easily even without the grab rails just with an easy rock back/stand on the lever.

[SgtBunny]

Ok, finally got it on the centerstand, my Lord that thing is heavy.

Still have the issues with needing to dent my Cobra's.  Anyone have a technique in doing this without mucking up the chrome too bad.

Would taping the chrome up good then smacking it with a hammer work enough to protect it?

[Rocketman]

Don't know about intentionally banging up the pipes.  I'd skip that process, personally.
As for getting it up, keep in mind that you're moving it back as much as (if not more than) lifting it up.  Keep that in mind, and it'll get easier as you practice.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Ok, finally got it on the centerstand, my Lord that thing is heavy.

Still have the issues with needing to dent my Cobra's.  Anyone have a technique in doing this without mucking up the chrome too bad.

Would taping the chrome up good then smacking it with a hammer work enough to protect it?

Dent your exhaust pipes on that sharp Valk just to install that dangerous POS centerstand  

Before anyone gets upset cause I called it a POS and goes into a long rant about how much they love them and everything about Rivco...It's a Dangerous POS is my opinion ( outstanding way to get high-sided in a left hander ) .
Don't dent the pipes take that thing off and sell it to a flatlander before it get's you hurt or worse .

[fudgie]

Whats the center stand for? I see bikes parked all the time up on a center stand. Why not just leave it on a kickstand? Having a bike loaded and trying to put it on the stand seems like a handful. You park in the yard then you need 2 beer cans to put under your stand instead of one!  Just wondering.  ???

[SgtBunny]

The main reason I want it is because it makes it easier to pull the rear tire and do things on the level.

[Colin]

As someone who has had back surgery I can't imagine putting a 300Kg+ bike on a centre stand. If all you want to do is drop the rear wheel imho there are easier ways to do it. I have one of these. It is adjustable, it fits both my Valk and my 750 Shadow and it is ideal for oiling the chain or dropping the wheel. With the long lever the bike goes up and down easily. I am sure that there must be someone in the US that makes something similar. Saves all that back pain and is much cheaper and allegedly safer than a centre stand.

[Earl in Pensacola]

THE SOLUTION:  I had my Rivco crt stand installed in about '98 on my '97 Tourer and right from the get-go it was nearly too much for me to handle.  And, that was back when I had TWO good knees, I now have one full knee replacement (the right one)  so it became quite a challenge, until I tried one little trick.  I lay a 1" think board behind the rear tire, roll the bike back outo the board, push down on the crt stand arm, lift and pull back, all in one motion.  And, up she goes very easy.  However, the back tire isn't free to spin for cleaning etc., so just start the engine, put the kick stand up, drop her in gear, ease out the clutch, spit out the board, BESURE to put the kick stand back down, and turn off the engine.  There is a good reason to put the kick stand back down.  When you go to take her off the ctr stand you will rock her forward and down she'll come allowing the ctr stand to hold the kick stand in the up position and now you will likely have to get someone to help put her back up on the ctr stand to release the kick stand.  And, someone better be near to help you as now YOU"RE standing there holding the bike up with no way to use the kick stand.  Also, put the bike in gear before you take her off the ctr stand, it will keep her from rolling and possibily causing you to drop her.  Want to know how I know all this is absolutely true?  Don't even ask.

[Spirited-6]

After my "CT" thing I better leave this one alone !  

Well, I can`t keep my mouth shut. While I have never pulled a Valk. up on a center stand , I have a V65 Magna. I would pull bars lock left, stand on center stand, and PULL. I did pull on bars as I pulled on grab bar and bike would move back very nicely.   Never had a problem putting V65 on center stand, just took a little power from me.

[bassman]

First, I DON'T have a Rivco Centerstand on my 98 Tourer but have had and used centerstands on previous bikes and have found the following helpful in getting a bike up on the stand.....get a couple of 12"x12" pieces of wood - start with maybe 1/2" thick and increase thickness, if necessary.  Place a square in front of the front and rear tires....drive bike onto the squares....try putting the bike in the air.....the squares of wood should give you a little head start on the lifting procedure....once you find a thickness that works easily, you could make the squares smaller (maybe 4"x4") to throw in your saddle bags for "on the road requirements".  Good luck   

[Rocketman]

BESURE to put the kick stand back down, and turn off the engine.  There is a good reason to put the kick stand back down.  When you go to take her off the ctr stand you will rock her forward and down she'll come allowing the ctr stand to hold the kick stand in the up position and now you will likely have to get someone to help put her back up on the ctr stand to release the kick stand.  And, someone better be near to help you as now YOU"RE standing there holding the bike up with no way to use the kick stand.

Are you saying that if you put the sidestand up before the centerstand, the centerstand traps the sidestand?  If so, I think there's something wrong with your setup.  I've never had that happen.  If that's not what you're saying, I don't understand.

[frosty]

I agree with SmokinJoe. Shoot Walt Kingbee and see what he thinks about the centerstand. Also if you do get it mounted keep a eye on your crossmember. They have been know to twist and crack the welds with all that weight on it.

[Chrisj CMA]

The main reason I want it is because it makes it easier to pull the rear tire and do things on the level.

The way I understand it.  The only way a center stand makes removal of the rearwheel easier is if you have a bike lift with a drop out panel under the rear wheel as well.  If you remove the wheel just on the center stand on the gound, then you have to remove the rear fender which is way more work than simply slipping a lift under the bike and up you go.  IMHO of course

[X Ring]

Chris, isn't that what Daniel had to do on his trip to Alaska?  That's the primary reason I could see having it; however, having a belly tank on mine precludes doing having one.

Marty

[fudgie]

After my "CT" thing I better leave this one alone !  

  

[GOOSE]

with 6 into 6 pipes , i just cut a notch in the center stand on the left side ....that way ...no dingaputin in the pipes.  i finally took off my center stand, and it's sitting on a box in my basement.  i bought on of those deals that you put between the bolts on the sidestand... it stays on all the time....and you just jack from there.....sooooo much better. putting a dingaputin in a $800 pair of pipes to be able to install a $450 centerstand is a joke.

[Sodbuster]

... i bought on of those deals that you put between the bolts on the sidestand... it stays on all the time....and you just jack from there.....sooooo much better....

like this ....

[MacDragon]

... i bought on of those deals that you put between the bolts on the sidestand... it stays on all the time....and you just jack from there.....sooooo much better....

like this ....

I also have one of these jack adapters that I installed on mine... A life saver for getting the big girl up in the air safely and securely.