Rivco Center Stand

[Hedgehog]

Hi,

Just got a RIVCO center stand and am thinking about the install.


Two questions:


1. I it  possible to install without jacking the bike up, just keeping it upright (on blocks)? ???

2. What about putting the spring on first with the stand supported by wire / cable tie? ???

Any ideas?

Thanks

 Hedgehog


, and also by fitting the spring first

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Don't know where you live or how you ride but keep in mind that thing will hit the pavement in a hard left hander. I had one on my Interstate when I bought it within 18 miles I knew that thing was out to get me and it was removed on day one.

[Daniel Meyer]

Yes, you can install it without jacking the bike.

That's a powerful spring. I don't think I'd install it first. Sort of like setting a mousetrap before baiting it....

[tank_post142]

http://www.f6rider.com/Articles/rivcocenterstand.htm
 the other option is to flex the spring and slip quarters in between the coils, thereby making the spring longer(one .25 between each coil) then lifting the bike onto the stand and the quarters will fall out !

[gordonv]

and don't forget to pick those quaters back up.

Yes, you can mount it with the bike on the kick stand, and without removing the spring. It is harder to do without taking the tension off the spring, like mentioned with something between the coils, or someone else mentioned before, us a dual open ended wrench, long enougth to hold the leg 90' from the mount.

If you have the evap canister, then you need to remove that from the bike first, and re-install after (CA models).

Full manual posted on Dag's DL page.

[Hedgehog]

Thanks for all the useful advice - I don't suppose anyone has a pdf of the original RIVCO instructions?

The RIVCO site seems to have dropped these (out of production too long I guess)....


Thanks again


HH

[Hedgehog]

Ah, found the instructions, cunningly hidden inside DM's most helpful fitting guide.

Doesn't seem too difficult.. (now where have I heard that before...?)


Picking up the Fat Lady from the Stealer tomorrow after new brakes and tyres fitted - then home to fit the stand.

Wish me luck.. With my mechanical skills I'll need it.
 

[gordonv]

Here is Dag's Valkyrie Norway  download page, where Dag posted manuals for many different things, including the original RIVCO full manual for installing the Val center stand.

http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[GOOSE]

hedgehog.....smokinjoe has a good point about the curves, but here is another point to remember about that centerstand......the way that it is attached to the crossmember on the top right side, if you go oiver a speedbump too fast/too hard, abd hit the bottom of the centerstand YOU WILL bend that crossmember and then when you put the bike on it's side stand it will be leaning way to far over to the left.  it's your bike.

[DFragn]

Wow, Rivco's attorney's must be very busy fending off countless lawsuits.

With stock size tires your good to a 1/4" chicken strip on the rear left.
You could probably go less with a light load and tight suspension. I do...and have dragged it lightly a few times, but only due to shock compression from pavement irregularities. i.e. bumps

As with any aftermarket part with potential to contact the pavement - take your time finding your particular lean limits. You should find it barely restrictive.

Due diligence with total load weight, setup & road surfaces.
BTW adjust the deployment arm to within a 1/8" or less of the exhaust can. The higher the better.
If you go that high you'll need to throw a rag over the arm before taking it off the stand. Because you'll slam dent your exhaust can a wee bit when the rubber bumper compresses.

Speed Bumps! Well there's few 'round here that'll jolt you out of your seat at more than 5mph. That's what they're for. Good idea with unfamiliar ones to do half the posted speed limit even without the c-stand.

You won't be able to do this to your left engine guard with the c-stand mounted! Which by-the-way, was done at a track by I've forgotten whom. 8-10 years ago or so.

[Hedgehog]

OK, So I'm under the bike holding up the bits of the center stand and it all looks pretty straightforward. I've fitted the grab rails already, no problem.

Then I hit a really basic problem...

I try to undo the left hand nut that holds the side stand to the frame and, perhaps not surprisingly, it won;t budge. I've tired the usual bit of pipe on the end of the wrench, tapped it with a hammer, and naturally used penetrating fluid. After an hour of this fun, the nut is starting to go like cheese, so before I make it any worse has anyone got any ideas??


I'm thinking about splitting the nut... 



HH

[tank_post142]

just be careful not to damage the threads! you have to lift the engine to replace that bolt!

[Hedgehog]

Thanks Tank, yeah, I realise that. I'll try some more heat first I think.



HH

[gordonv]

just be careful not to damage the threads! you have to lift the engine to replace that bolt!

Ah.. no... you need to removing the swing arm. I had the bare frame after stripping down my bike, and had to remove the swing arm to remove the 2 bolts.

I would try the application of heat to the nut. As hot and fast as you can, before the heat transferres to the bolt.

[Hedgehog]

Well, the saga continues..

You know when you get one of those jobs that should be simple, but just isn't when it comes down to it...?


Well, as noted before, the left hand side stand bolt refused to budge. I tried all sorts of stuff, including an ingenious thing I found on U Tube (heat up one side of the nut and then apply a (non-lighted)  candle to the other side. Capillary action draws wax into thread. This DID loosen the nut, whereas WD40 etc had failed.

However, the nut still would not move much. So in the end I decided to use a nut splitter. Tried really carefully not to damage the thread, but unfortunately I did.  >:(Now, of course, the stand won't thread onto the bolt.

No way am I going to strip the swing arm off to replace the bolt, so my local workshop will be having a go tomorrow. Their idea is to cut the existing bolt and remove it, insert a threaded bolt, minus head, into the stand assembly and then put a nut where the head of the bolt now is. This could work, but it will still be tricky removing the bolt, even if it is destroyed, due to lack of space. Hope they have an electric saw....

Anyway, I've taken the coward's way out and handed the problem to someone else. I know when I'm beat! If all else fails they can weld the swine on!.

I know, I know...

[tmfp]

Unlucky.
I'll remember the candle trick, though I hope I never need it 

[R J]

Good luck in any venture you go with.

When my buddy removed my center stand for his son, they ended up pulling the wheel, the swing arm and then a big long breaker bar and a 6' (yea foot)  pipe then gently soaked hell out of the nut and threads till it broke loose.

When ya tighten the top U clamp, go easy cause you can crush the tubing.   Ya do that and ya is in deep sheet, it ain't no fun to replace.    Check out BigBF.com site, he has a replacement and instructions for that procedure.   

[Hedgehog]

Thanks everyone.

 

HH

[Hedgehog]

Picked the Fat Lady (AKA Dolores) up this morning from the workshop where they had suceeded in recuing the damaged thread on the left sidestand bolt  and then assembling the center stand.

The bike looked good sitting upright and then the test -how easy to get on and off the stand?

I was surprised to find that it was really easy. Harder getting in down than up, unless seated at the time.

I'm 5'10 and about 200lbs with muscles than belong on an old dog,  but its all technique...just like the Goldwing. Press down on the foot pedal, hardly any upward pressure on the grab handles and a gentle tug backwards - and its done.

No problems with ground clearance so far - cranked it over on a roundabout on the way home and no sparks...


Well please, but fitted cost was obscene (can't bring myself to work it out, but enough to buy a set of hard bags...I think).

Its a love thing.

Very happy.

Thanks for all the advice. In the end the bolt had to have the thread re-cut.

[tmfp]

Genuine question, what are the benefits that you see in having a centre stand?

[Hedgehog]

Benefits.

I. Maintenance / fitting accessories - easier.
2. I like the look of the bike sitting up straight.
3. Safer  / more secure on some surfaces (not all I admit).
4. I have a turntable - means I can activate garage door by remote button on the bike, ride in forwards, park on turntable and spin the bike round ready to go out again all in a few seconds. Could not do this on a side stand.


So far no ground clearance issues and it looks good. Quality is great. Absolute doddle to use. Almost Effortless.

Each to their own though...

HH

[Daniel Meyer]

Genuine question, what are the benefits that you see in having a centre stand?

Repairing tires on the road or replacing them in very out of the way places is the main reason I have one.



In this case, I showed up before they opened, took the wheel off, and when they arrived, pointed at a tire on their showroom floor, "Put *that* on *there*."

Saved me a six day wait for a tire to arrive by bus.

[vanagon40]

Pardon the hijack.

Daniel Meyer,

Is that a Mick-O-Peg mounted to the crash bar?  I've seen that photo probably about 100 times and never noticed it before.

[tmfp]

Benefits.


4. I have a turntable - means I can activate garage door by remote button on the bike, ride in forwards, park on turntable and spin the bike round ready to go out again all in a few seconds. Could not do this on a side stand.
HH

That's pretty damn cool, sort of like Thunderbirds are Go 

I've got one of those clicky remotes, all I've got to do now is find a garage door that it operates.

[Hedgehog]

Its certainly handy and saves a lot of fiddling about....  :)The turntable can be bought fairly cheaply (less than £100) from within the UK. It can turn anything - even a GL1800 and is just really two discs one on top of the other with a pin through them. Its flat, circular and about 16 inches in diameter. I've modified mine by drilling a hole in the floor and running a larger bolt as I found the one supplied wasn't strong enough. Had it three years now and its fine. Cheap gadget for what it does, especially with a large heavy bike.

Not quite Thunderbirds, more Mr Bean really, but it works.

[Daniel Meyer]

Pardon the hijack.

Daniel Meyer,

Is that a Mick-O-Peg mounted to the crash bar?  I've seen that photo probably about 100 times and never noticed it before.

Yep. I was one of the "early adopters". Comes in handy, especially for those thousand mile days!

Its certainly handy and saves a lot of fiddling about....  :)The turntable can be bought fairly cheaply (less than £100) from within the UK. It can turn anything - even a GL1800 and is just really two discs one on top of the other with a pin through them. Its flat, circular and about 16 inches in diameter. I've modified mine by drilling a hole in the floor and running a larger bolt as I found the one supplied wasn't strong enough. Had it three years now and its fine. Cheap gadget for what it does, especially with a large heavy bike.

Not quite Thunderbirds, more Mr Bean really, but it works.

Now we just gotta motorize that sucker!

[John Schmidt]

Don't press on the centerstand foot peg with the toe of your shoe. Place the ball of your boot on it, just in front of the heel, then press down. We're about the same size, one time I was in a hurry and didn't follow my own instructions and tried to raise it by using the toe of my boot. Pulled the left calf muscle so bad I couldn't walk without a cane for nearly a week.

As for dragging it, I have yet to do so. I'm running a 205/60/16 car tire in back with 12" shocks. Even when traveling with luggage in back and my fat can in the saddle....doesn't come close. If you're running Cobra or Two Bros. pipes, your chances of dragging it are greater since they sit lower than stock pipes. I've purposely laid mine over in the garage using a couple extra sets of helping hands and block/tackle, I simply wanted to be certain. Result....my rider's footpeg will hit first by a long shot. Those are my results, others may differ.

[Hedgehog]

Thanks John. Yours is the way I do it  - already got caught out with my GL1800 I had a couple of years ago!


Its works really easy now and no trouble with clearance etc.


Very expensive but glad I got it.



HH