Kickstand a draggin'

[Mike M in ohio]

     The Interstate I purchased last Fall seems to start scraping the pavement WAY TOO soon on tight lefthand turns. The former owner had installed shorter shocks to lower things a tad, and I like being able to hold the beast up so flatfooted. But things seem to start grinding far sooner than they should.
     I checked all components, and the only item being flattened by the tarmac, is the long extension tab on the kickstand. I suspected that it might be sticking in the not fully up position, so I lubed things up, and it seems to be retracting smoothly and crisply. Yet, the dragging still occurs on moderate lefties.
     If I surgically saw off about one and a half inches of that tab, and cap it with a rubber boot of sorts, will the stand still be cathable with my heel? And is that enough to fix the problem?
     Anyone with the same situation...and anyone with suggestions???
     Thanks for all the forthcoming ideas...................Mike in New York

[DFragn]

What are you referring to as the long extension? Are talking about the deployment arm or the foot of the stand?

If it's the deployment arm it may be bent. My guess is yes it's bent. OEM foot pegs [which drag later then some aftermarket pegs] should touch well before the deployment arm regardless of ride height. Or, is there an aftermarket exhaust installed that may be preventing the stand from fully collapsing.

What length rear shocks were installed?
Was anything altered with the forks?

Does it still have the OEM rider pegs? Have you dragged these or aftermarket? If aftermarket what brand. Has a broader foot pad been mounted to the side stand foot?

I know. Many questions, but they help to help you. They'll give us an idea of what's going on.

[Mike M in ohio]

   From what I see, the pegs (for driver) are standard issue. Passenger pegs are the triangular shaped Juryaken iso pegs. I'll have to check on the deployment arm, to see if its bent. I regularly run into other Valks on Long Island, so I can do so. As to the shocks, I'll have to check for brand and length. But, nothing altered in front end. Thanks for the tips to proceed with.             Mike

[Jess from VA]

From "Known Valk problems"

#19  Kickstand Support (Frame Member) is HOLLOW.  Take a look under the bike and there is a big casting holding the kickstand.  It is bolted to a frame cross member.  If it has been hit, it can twist and bend the frame member.  This changes the position and function of the kickstand. 

[bigdog99]

i loaned my valk to a friend and when i got it back the kickstand did the same thing, i believe when he put the kickstand down he bent the part you catch with your foot, i just bent it back and no problem. try bending it toward the rear of the bike when in down position, it actually should fit snug under exhaust may help