new problem for old Valk rider

[kyrie6]

Had shoulder surgery in fall. Getting old ,but I'll go on my Valk. Problem is: Wife gets on bike, and the bike is to heavy to stand up without pulling on my shoulder. I have the corbin seat where the backrest is pulled out for pass. to get on. Any suggestions?  Saw once were vendor has kickstand extension or thick foot pad. Cant seem to find info. on that. If worthwhile. And couldn't face the fact of seeing her face while leaving her home. She does have a Rebel but we do long range riding. Didnt think that would be the downfall of not being able to ride.  Figured bad knees would get me first.

[Valker]

Have you tried having the bike standing up, off the sidestand, and leaned a bit to the right while she gets on?

[Gryphon Rider]

The best answer is to not take a passenger until your shoulder is strong enough to do the job.  There are several different ways that you can get your passenger on and the bike upright, but do you really want to be in a position where something catches you off guard, the bike starts to fall to one side, and you can't hold it like you could have before you had shoulder problems?  I hope your wife doesn't get injured when she falls off the bike at the gas station.

[kyrie6]

Yea. have to have backrest pulled out. But Is a bear to hold bike up as she pulls on bike  getting on. She is not that big as would think on descriptions. 5'6 and approx. 165lb. I had a 205-55 and shocks on low before. Went to a 205-60 and shocks up to 3. Made some dif. Wouldnt think much. Thanks, getting old sucks, we love to ride the valk.

[kyrie6]

Your right, I had the surgery through the winter just so I would be ready to ride. the therapist said he has never seen any one so determined. That i didnt have patients. I would see people in there and ask how long since your surgery? I would strive to outdo. I told him I was going to be over in time to ride. That was what got me through it, was my goal. Yesterday brought some pain.

[DLSSOJC]

Can she climb up on the bike while it is sitting on the sidestand and you are not on the bike yet, and then you get on after her?  My wife has done this before. A lot of times when I stop to get gas, she just stays on the bike when I get off, and sits there while I put the gas in, and then I just get back on.

[kyrie6]

yaeh thats the problem. She is on bike then I get on. Well. with her and loaded I/S is alot of weight to arm pull and leg push to stand up. Especially at any angle. Which i always try to park it where is least angle and backing in. Thats why I thought maybe a foot or extension on the kickstand to get more of a upright position and less angle to stand up. ? but not to much.

[Quicksilver]

Training wheel kit until you feel better, bolt on.

[kyrie6]

That would be ok. The one that lowers at stop then raises.  I did some research on the board. The KS foot was made by Rivco now discontinued. But can get the foot for the VTX and grind the KS edges and it will fit. Not much raise though. Then again I may weld about 1 inch pc. or etc. on foot. I think my kickstand may even be bent some making bike lower.

[BigM]

May have a solution that will help in more ways than one.  The adapter slides in at kickstand bracket. Which that can serve as a spacer as well as a lift adapter. Making your Valk easier to handle and will have the adapter always there for when may need it. I have one and works great! 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VALKYRIE-HONDA-LIFT-JACK-ADAPTER-NEW-1-MUST-HAVE-MOTORCYCLE-ITEM-Save-/170943480226?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27cd0681a2&vxp=mtr

[DLSSOJC]

yaeh thats the problem. She is on bike then I get on. Well. with her and loaded I/S is alot of weight to arm pull and leg push to stand up. Especially at any angle. Which i always try to park it where is least angle and backing in. Thats why I thought maybe a foot or extension on the kickstand to get more of a upright position and less angle to stand up. ? but not to much.

I see your point. I have seen those Rivco kickstand extensions come up for sale several times in the past. Might be able to make something that would work if you had the tools?

[Mtn Valk]

Sounds to me like it is time for the trike!

[kyrie6]

True. But Trike may take a toll on shoulders also. Anyway Talked to Rivco. She said the foot was disc about 3 yr ago. And had 2 others call today asking about same thing.  Any interested and may have already posted. They are making a run on centerstands. To be out mid summer. 100. deposit if havent already filled order. Real nice lady in Wisconsin. I,m not interested in them though. The VTX foot only 1/2 thick. She got one and mea. it.  May go the adapter route as mentioned. Have heard good things, I like that idea.  Thanks I can say that my health has came from hard living ,enjoying m/cs from time I could get on one. Dirt bikes, motocross, and over 100K on my 2nd Valk.

[Led]

You did not say how "old" you were getting to be, but old IS old!
I still wish I could ride dirt bikes! I loved "Enduro" riding. But things have taken their toll on my body, and I have not done it for about 25 years now. But I STILL wish there was a dirt bike in the garage!

My Woman gave up riding YEARS ago, but I still do the street on occasion. But if I go out without Her, it just is not the same.  It then reminds me of my "bar hopping" days, way back when, on my old Sportster...........(before then.....it was a CBX!!    )

Old Bikers will always have a bike in the garage........but there may come a time.......where you fire up the grill, pop the top on a brew......and just LOOK at it.......

Thinking about how things were.........

[saddlesore]

  Have you tried turning the handlebars to the right instead of the left?  It puts the bike in a more vertical position.
  Maybe a combination of the foot and turning the bars would work.

[Dorkman]

Fashion a board, the larger the better, that can be stored in your bags or trunk...maybe a 2x12 or double layer of plywood.  Cut a notch in the shape of the footpad so it will not slip out.  Work out a system for you or the spouse to slip it under the side stand when you get into a parking situation.  It should get the bike near vertical.

Best bet though is to let the shoulder heal.  You take the risk if the bike gets away and you can't hold it.  Could injure you, the spouse, or worse yet the Valk...

[Farther]

The best answer is to not take a passenger until your shoulder is strong enough to do the job.

Unfortunately, as you have found out, shoulder surgery and instant gratification don't go together.  I think Gryphon Rider has the best advice for you.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Sometimes if on an incline after we're both on I tell wife to lean to the right as I stand bike up. IT is enough to help lift the bike to straight up.

[0leman]

Lot of good suggestions above.  Think as Farther says, Gryphon Rider has the best suggestion, give the shoulder time to heal.  If you can't pull the bike upright with passenger, then handling your Valk in an emergency situation is a crap shoot.

I always heard it was best to have passenger get on after drive does. Also get off first.   But, then I am a bit bigger than most and can stand flat footed while on Valk.

[Poor Ol Harry]

center stand?

[kyrie6]

Not to much on centerstand. Anyone know if the Rivco is the drive off type. Or like wing had to rock back and forth to get it off stand.

[DLSSOJC]

Not to much on centerstand. Anyone know if the Rivco is the drive off type. Or like wing had to rock back and forth to get it off stand.

I have the Rivco centerstand and I rock the bike forward to get it off the stand. It is pretty easy to get it off the stand though.

[Tinman]

I'm a little guy by Valk standards. About 5-11 180.
I use my left leg and body weight all in one motion as I step over the seat and the bike pops right up with almost no input from arms and shoulders. I do it that way just because it's easier.
Just my 0.02.

[Earl in Pensacola]

One suggestion and I don't want to sound like a "smart-a$$" or anything, but have your wife "practice" stepping straight up on the passenger peg and then swinging her leg over.  The trick is for her to be perfectly balanced over ther bike and there will very very little tendency for the bike to lean to the left.  At least that's how my wife and I worked it out after my left rotator cuff repair.  Good luck.  I sure do remember how much my shoulder hurt and badly I wanted to ride again.   

[CoachDoc]

Try having her mount with you straddling the upright bike. The trick is to be standing with your legs as close to the bike as possible, and all your weight on your feet, using the insides of your thighs and knees to hold the bike upright rather than your arms (and shoulders). This has worked for me in the past when the tendinitis in my elbows flares up. Not too hard to do with practice.

[Otus]

I don't do this, but a friend told me about it and I tried it. When you set the bike down on the side stand turn the wheel to the right instead of the left. It makes the bike so easy to stand up that I can do it with one hand.  I do wonder about the stability of the bike when it is parked like this but I still think it would take a hell of a wind to blow it over.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Not to much on centerstand. Anyone know if the Rivco is the drive off type. Or like wing had to rock back and forth to get it off stand.

I have the Rivco centerstand and I rock the bike forward to get it off the stand. It is pretty easy to get it off the stand though.

I think with his shoulder issues he would have a hard time getting it up on the center stand. I think Gryphon has it right, not good to hear but a little more healing time might be appropriate .

[kyrie6]

Not to leave this thread hanging. Im 58 some wanted to know. Maybe young to some but havent took care of myself in the past. Anyway. Going to Therapy tom. and surgeon did work Mon. So hope I can get straightened out soon and bk into the saddle. When do I will definitely try the dif. options recommended here. **Thanks very much for taking the time to help me out.