Kick Stand Extension

[enroute1]

Has anyone done or considered extending their kickstand?

When I park alongside my Buddies "Gorgeous"  F6B, I notice that my F6C leans over quite a bit more.
Also noticed that Honda used the F6B kickstand on our Bikes! $$ (thrifty devils)
Since the F6B has more ground clearance it leans over pretty far on the F6B kickstand.

Was thinking about having a piece welded into my kick stand to get it to where the B's lean angle is...thoughts?

[bscrive]

I don't think that you can cut the kickstand and re-weld it and if you could, I don't think that I would trust it.  I think that it is a cast metal.  The better way would be to get a kickstand extension.

[Jess from VA]

How about shimming up the kickstand mount, underneath?

Rivco used to make a shoe to slip on the kickstand duckfoot.  (You could probably drill a hole through the duckfoot, and put a bolt through with a big nut and washer.  It would get rubbed down over time and need replaced.)

Just remember, depending on where it is parked and what is next to it, a flat tire on the bike can cause it to go over the wrong way (and onto something) if the stand holds it too close to level.

[98valk]

you could consider what I did. Installed a 1/2" wire/cable rope clamp without the saddle clamp. You would have to see if 1/2" works for the GL1800 side stand. 6k miles zero problems

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,93955.0.html

[enroute1]

I did successfully have a piece of stainless added to my Kick Stand on my VTX 1800 which also had a severe lean angle.  After the modification, it presented much better on the extended stand and was of course easier to lift off the stand to go riding. Very strong!

As far as it tipping over if the tire goes flat, well that is a good point even though one Honda was probably not considering when robbing $$ the stand from the lower ground clearanced  Goldwings...

If I do extend it I will only extend it to match the lean angle on the GW.

[pago cruiser]

I have the same issue, and have read a couple posts elsewhere that an ST1100 side stand would work: but have not seen any details.  So after finding a sidestand/spring on ebay a couple months ago, I tried it yesterday.

Short answer: It might.
Long answer:

Yes, it is longer. Original pic:


ST1100 version on same mount:


About 1.25" longer (there is some parallelax in the pics), and it does indeed bolt up.  Even the safety switch from the Valk will attach:


However, the Valk version has a bit of an offset that the ST1100 does not; this makes the sidestand spring impact the Valk exhaust pipe cover:


I'm still going to see if this will work - have to get the ST1100 side stand to my welder next week.  While I have a MIG I can only (half-assed) weld, while this needs an oxy-acyl rig to heat up the steel and make the same angle.  May also have to find another spring, or maybe weld on another bracket to use the Valk spring.  I'll post the results next week, I hope. 

[bscrive]

I don't know guys.  I have had my bike on the side stand in some conditions, side of the road, and the bike felt like it was too upright.  The longer arm may make it fall over in some cases. 

[enroute1]

I don't know guys.  I have had my bike on the side stand in some conditions, side of the road, and the bike felt like it was too upright.  The longer arm may make it fall over in some cases.  

Keep in mind that extending the Valk kickstand 1-1/8 inches will put it very close to the lean angle on the Goldwings and most other bikes.

The reason for the greater lean angle on our Valks is simply because our bikes have more ground clearance than the Goldwings.  Honda most probably went to the GW parts bin and said "wow this should work" and as a result saved $$.