Center Stand

[michaelyoung254]

Noticed a few times that some people are watching for a center stand for the Valk. Just thought I'd let everybody know that there's one on eBay right now. A bit pricey for my blood, but if you want one, here it is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500-1500-CENTER-STAND-CENTERSTAND-/130576695347?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e66fa4033

[Tim H]

Looks like pull up bars aren't included.  I'm sure those are somewhat helpful in lifting over the point of the stand rather than using the handle bars.

[YoungPUP]

Looks pretty simple. Anybody ever try making one?

[currahee2-6]

I found a NOS Rivco stand here and bought it from a member at a great price.  I installed it on my IS and absolutely LOVE it. It makes maintenance much easier than the side stand (e.g. wheel removal, tail light fender install, cleaning etc ...) if you don't have a jack.  BUT..without the side grab/lift rail(s) it can't be raised by one person. I'm relatively chunky myself and can do it with a slight backward roll and a quick boot stomp and lift!! (I have rails on both sides) It's a real strain at best. I can't imagine it being done without at least one rail on the side of your dominant hand. Boot soles help too. Sneaks or regular shoes aren't helpful either.   JMO   

ps  installation was an event too.........!!   

[RonW]

If you really must have a centerstand, I cannot see waiting for a centerstand that has the grab rail included in the same sale. Better to buy piecemeal. Whichever component is available first. Meanwhile, you can always re-sell the centerstand for practically what you paid for it without the grab rail.

Looks pretty simple. Anybody ever try making one?

I would not suggest self-fabricating a centerstand as deceivingly 'simple' as it may seem. Here's my own reason .... just yesterday I was looking at the centerstand on my Shadow 600 (500-lbs) with the bike UP, and there's a tremendous amount of torque and twisting exerted on the legs of the centerstand when the bike is in it's lifted position. While the centerstand is well able to handle the weight of an 800+ Valk, whenever the front wheel pivots left or right, the legs of the centerstand is subjected to a lot of twisting. (The front wheel remains on the ground in the bike's lifted position unlike a lift jack that elevates both wheels off the floor.) The foot of the metal legs actually shift or pivot a ¼-inch or so on the floor. Any flaws in the wielding or metal might not show up within a year but later on if there are indeed defects the invisible flaws could lead to some serious damage.

[Paxton]

Would it fit with the lift adapter? ???

[Valkpilot]

Looks like pull up bars aren't included.  I'm sure those are somewhat helpful in lifting over the point of the stand rather than using the handle bars.

At least one of the grab rails is being sold in a separate auction.

[Joe Hummer]

Would it fit with the lift adapter? ???

It would not. 

When I got my bike, it had the Rivco centerstand on it.  The fact that the kick bar (what you stand on to pick up the bike) would hit the passenger pegs and keep it from coming up all the way (made MUCH worse when I put boards on her) and scraping the centerstand in tight turns, I took it off and it is sitting in my garage...just the legs part of the lift.  I use the bracket as a suedo lift adapter.  I still have to put a 2x4 under it to catch the bike right but it works great for that purpose.  For the record, I place 2 2x4s side by side under the motor, and one 2x4 under the centerstand bracket.  And when the jack is positioned properly, it lifts the bike nice and even and the bike is quite solid on the lift. 

I used to have the side rails but sold them to a member...don't remember who.  I don't miss them as I wasn't using the centerstand any longer. 

Joe

[YoungPUP]

I wouldn't dare try to make this myself. I'd love to have the skills, but metal work isn't my game. I can see the concern, but If properly copied a one off piece should be a better quality than a mass produced piece.

[Earl in Pensacola]

I too have a Rivco Center stand and both "lift bars" (for that balanced look) since '97.  I don't mind telling you that it takes absolutely every ounce of my strength (which admittedly isn't very much) to lift her onto the stand by myself.  That is, until I discovered that by rolling her back onto a 1"X6" , THEN it is easy to pull her up onto the center stand.  I then start her, drop her in first gear, ease out the clutch and the 1"X6" is scooted out the back.  I never use the center stand except during cleaning and/or servicing or tire changing.

[RonW]

I wouldn't dare try to make this myself. I'd love to have the skills, but metal work isn't my game. I can see the concern, but If properly copied a one off piece should be a better quality than a mass produced piece.

Don't let me stop you. Since only(?) Rivco manufactured a Valk centerstand limiting us to their version, I'm sure that it could be improved on. For example, there could be a cross rail to beef up the legs of the centerstand.

[bscrive]

I made one about 5 years ago and it turned out not too bad but I found it to be a pain in the but to put it on the center stand.  So, I cut the feet a little and then it was too short so I scraped the idea.  Also, I didn't like the look of the arm that stuck out to the side.  I am 6' and 240lbs and it was a chore for me to put it on the center stand.

[currahee2-6]

Hey Earl In P'cola!!  t h a n k  y o u  for doing my thinking for me and telling us about he 1x6 trick w the c stand! DUH I don't know why you didn't tell us this before my g'nads flew out on the shop floor trying to stand that bad gurl up on my Rivco!  haha.  I'm gonna go out right now and try it just to see. 

[Earl in Pensacola]

The one thing, for sure< that Rivco could have engineered better would have been to have included a "stengthening" bar for the frame cross-over that the center stand attaches to.  I was checking mine on day and found the two bolts that bolt the stand to the cross-over seemed to not be tight enough.  So, naturally I started cranking and THEN I noticed that the cross-member was starting to crush!!  You sure don't want that to happen!! What you really need to do is put a good solid piece of steel on both sides of the cross-member, then bolt up the center stand.  Of course, I bought mine way back in about '98 and Rivco may have already addressed that one potential problem.

[Earl in Pensacola]

PS--About adding the extra steel plates to both sides of the cross-member would create a little longer center stand and hense and even higher lift to get her up on it!!!  Maybe just a very thin strong piece of steel on the underside and something heavier on the top side.  Just an after thought!!

[Colin]

According to the UK board Rivco are making another run of their centre stands. Available December cost $450 and $100 deposit wanted now. May be cheaper than eBay.

[Earl in Pensacola]

As far as I'm concerned the price that Revco is demanding now is OUTRAGEOUS!!!  It's not like they are starting from scratch!!  It's already "engineered" !!  All they have to do is MAKE SOME MORE.  Even at $250. each plus shipping, they'd still make a bunch of $$$ and they'd sell many more!!  But, no, they'll build one for each $100. deposit, sure don't want to keep anything on the shelf as stock for more than a month!!

[YoungPUP]

My engineering  buddy is looking at it now, He's thinking about adding a "T" to the right side mounting "clamp" so it not only bites the cross member, but also wraps the right side frame tube.He's not liking the original design for obvious known reasons, twisting etc. Anybody have a pic of one mounted in the bike lifted position ( stand down)?  Would like to see where the spring mounts.

[Hedgehog]

I'd really like one of these if someone is interested in selling - otherwise will have to wait for Rivco I guess..

[Hedgehog]

Latest from RIVCO  (e mail to me from 'Stephanie' of yesterday) was that they are thinking of doing a production run this fall if they get enough interest....then it'll be a $100 deposit and then delivery before Christmas.

Price is about as hefty as the bike is heavy - a whopping $450 PLUS (get this) the shipping.

Someone's planning on a profitable Christmas then...


Still going to have one though - this is the first bike I've ever had without one, and I'm planning on doing work, so it will be handy.

If interested, e mail the good lady at rivcoproducts@wi.rr.com. Your name will go in a file and  :roll:then she will let you know whether production is going ahead. The more than e-mail the better..


Dave

[98valk]

Latest from RIVCO  (e mail to me from 'Stephanie' of yesterday) was that they are thinking of doing a production run this fall if they get enough interest....then it'll be a $100 deposit and then delivery before Christmas.

Price is about as hefty as the bike is heavy - a whopping $450 PLUS (get this) the shipping.

Someone's planning on a profitable Christmas then...


Still going to have one though - this is the first bike I've ever had without one, and I'm planning on doing work, so it will be handy.

If interested, e mail the good lady at rivcoproducts@wi.rr.com. Your name will go in a file and  :roll:then she will let you know whether production is going ahead. The more than e-mail the better..


Dave

the last time they offered a special run it included both hand rails for that price.
I asked then before why they don't offer it painted or bare metal, for a lower cost instead of only chrome. in a huff, well we don't do it that way. but I said, u will sell more if not chromed due to the lower cost. got same response, like they have to get chromed or something to protect somebodies job.
I guess if enough ask for it not chromed, they might change their mind.

[gordonv]

What no one has mentioned, is that there is a nack to get these larger bikes onto the center stand. Not brute force. Valkyrie Bling still has the grabe rails for sale. http://www.valkyrieblingandmore.com/

Here is a youtube showing a little guy getting his GL1800 onto one. He also has another of him lifting his dropped bike back up.

How to put a Goldwing on its center stand	powered by Aeva

As for making your own. If you copy the original design, you'll get one as good. The metal tubing walls are thicker than they need to be, and welding completely around the joints is overkill, but cosmeticly good looking.

I was thinking the same, having these painted (powder coated) instead of chromed.

[Hedgehog]

Thanks for the tip re Grab Rails, I just ordered a set.


I had a GL1800 and it was the easiest thing in the world to get on the centre stand - could do it with just 2 fingers of one hand. Absolutely effortless.  Just technique (push with the foot, don't lift with the arm).

Could also pick it up by myself when on its side (but that was NOT effortless!!) thanks to a video on U Tube that showed how. Again, its all about technique. Only dropped it once, but it came in handy.

I'm 5 feet ten and about 180 pounds with arm muscles that would not look out of place on a  hamster.

As someone has indicated, its not about strength but all about technique. Same as riding it really.

Don't know whether the Valk will be the same. but sure I can manage - if not I'll be getting some assistance from She Who Must Be Obeyed...

[Daniel Meyer]

A decade ago when it was in active production the centerstand with both side rails was around $400. It is a solid and quality product. I don't think $450 is a bad price if it includes the side rails.

[Earl in Pensacola]

One last comment by me concerning the RIVCO Center stand.  I just checked my records and I bought mine 12/16/98 for $229. plus shipping= $248.00 and paid the local dealership (Sandy Brodie's in Honolulu) $58.00 labor.  The stand is still on the bike at 242K.  You really can't compare the OEM stand on a Wing to the RIVCO.  Heck, even I pull a Wing onto it center stand w/o much effort--Different leveraging/engineering by HONDA!

[designer]

For a small batch production run 450 isn't unreasonable.  Setup cost and price increases to materials over a small batch is most likely to blame.  If anyone out there wants to make a large batch... Say 200 or 300 you could reduce the piece price, but it seems everyone want Rivco to do that and eat the other 200 or 250 they don't sell.  It's just a matter of economics.

[Hedgehog]

Hi,

Note what you say about the different leverage between Valk and Goldwing - fair enough - I haven't tried one yet! Hoping it won't be too bad though.

Hope you don't mind RONW, but I sent a copy of your pics and suggested idea to RIVCO - just in case they wanted to incorporate this mod in the new batch..

HH

[RonW]

The reason Rivco might not have a 'bar' welded between the two legs is that area on the stand is near the rear wheel in its retracted position. That's with a straight bar. The stand itself retracts UP while hinging or folding up to the rear via coil springs. However as I was saying on my Shadow 600 the two legs do get a lot of torqued and twisting but that bike is 500 lbs not 800+ lbs so when the legs 'walks' a ½-inch or so, it's not that big a deal, at least up to now. Someday later you never know.