RIVCO CENTER STAND

[clar1jam]

Are you able to use the RIVCO center stand without the grab rails?

[Rams]

OK, I'm new to this forum but I've heard of someone that makes a center stand for our Valkyries but have not seen one yet.  I looked on Rivco's site and didn't see on there either.  Is it just me or did I miss something?

blackrams

[John U.]

The Rivco center stand for the Valk is not a stock item anymore. Rivco occasionally does another run when they have enough interest. That's why you couldn't find it on their site.
Someone else will have to answer the original question. I have a center stand but haven't mounted it yet.

[R J]

It makes it mucho easier to get onto the center stand with the grab rails.

I added the right one to clean up the solo package I did to MGM.

[Rams]

The Rivco center stand for the Valk is not a stock item anymore. Rivco occasionally does another run when they have enough interest. That's why you couldn't find it on their site.

Well, I guess I'll have to contact Rivco and express some interest.  Thanks for the link.

blackrams

[hubcapsc]

The word is that a 1500 Goldwing center stand will bolt onto a Valkyrie and won't drag in turns...

I got one from Pinwall for $9.

I looked around under there, there's probably some other bracket or something you need... I have no
clue if you'd still have the side stand.

If someone was interested in following through, and decipher the whole puzzle, it sounds like cheap fun,
but if you're anxious to have a center stand, bolt it on, and get on with your life, probably wait till someone
else has figgered out the exact directions...

-Mike

[Garland]

I don't have the grab rails and I use the centerstand all the time. It will take a while to get your technique down, but it is not hard. Make sure both feet on the stand are touching the ground, bike straight up, rock the bike back while pulling up under the seat rail while stepping hard on the side tab with all your weight.

I actually never even installed the rails that came with the stand-sold them in the classifieds. I wish I had kept them now, not so much for raising the bike but for having another place for bungee cords.

[Rams]

The word is that a 1500 Goldwing center stand will bolt onto a Valkyrie and won't drag in turns...

I got one from Pinwall for $9.

I looked around under there, there's probably some other bracket or something you need... I have no
clue if you'd still have the side stand.

If someone was interested in following through, and decipher the whole puzzle, it sounds like cheap fun,
but if you're anxious to have a center stand, bolt it on, and get on with your life, probably wait till someone
else has figgered out the exact directions...

-Mike

Can anyone verify this? 

blackrams

[Rams]

The Rivco center stand for the Valk is not a stock item anymore. Rivco occasionally does another run when they have enough interest. That's why you couldn't find it on their site.

Well, I guess I'll have to contact Rivco and express some interest.  Thanks for the link.

blackrams

Hmm, well I called Rivco, I was told that Direct Line Parts.com had purchased all they had so I should contact Direct Line.  Did so to no avail.  Oh well, I'll figure something out or just continue on my present path.

blackrams

[Sourdough]

There is one for sale in the classifieds.. posted on 5/25.

[Rams]

There is one for sale in the classifieds.. posted on 5/25.

Hmm, I'm new to this forum, I'll have to look around and find the "classifieds".  Thanks.

blackrams

[vanagon40]

I don't have the grab rails and I use the centerstand all the time. It will take a while to get your technique down, but it is not hard. Make sure both feet on the stand are touching the ground, bike straight up, rock the bike back while pulling up under the seat rail while stepping hard on the side tab with all your weight.

I actually never even installed the rails that came with the stand-sold them in the classifieds. I wish I had kept them now, not so much for raising the bike but for having another place for bungee cords.

Same here.  I will add that I own a Standard, not an Interstate.   

[Cyclejohn]

I put a 6" long piece of 1x6 in front of the rear tire and roll the bike up on it, then you can raise the bike on the centerstand almost with foot pressure alone. When finished I just keep the 1x6 in my saddlebag.

[vanagon40]

There is also an ebay buy it now with four available for a little less than $460 (each).

Listing ends June 11.

Search for "Valkyrie" and "Rivco"

[petevenne]

Jim @ Vencowings.com has them in stock.. 603-435-5151

[Rams]

There is also an ebay buy it now with four available for a little less than $460 (each).

Listing ends June 11.

Search for "Valkyrie" and "Rivco"

 Well, at that price, I'm going to have to pass, although I'd love to have a center stand, that's a little pricey for my tastes.  OK, call me cheap.  

blackrams

[gordonv]

There is also an ebay buy it now with four available for a little less than $460 (each).

Listing ends June 11.

Search for "Valkyrie" and "Rivco"

 Well, at that price, I'm going to have to pass, although I'd love to have a center stand, that's a little pricey for my tastes.  OK, call me cheap.  

blackrams

At that price I don't think you're cheap. I would rather spend that kind of money on a motorcycle lift instead. How often would you need the stand on the road to work on your bike compared to in the shop?

As to the stand and lifting without a grab rail, I don't know. I have the stand but can't install yet because I lost the canister relocation bracket for the CA model smog. But when I do, I will find out how hard it is to do, and most likely, like already suggested, roll it onto a small block you can carry with you.

[Daniel Meyer]

How often would you need the stand on the road to work on your bike compared to in the shop?

Occasionally.

This is on the Alaskan Highway. Needed new rear skin. Parked in the drive before they opened, took the bike apart, walked in when they unlocked the door, handed them the wheel and pointed at one of their new tires, and said, "Put that on here."



I use mine in the shop too!

[hubcapsc]

"Put that on here."

Sorry sir, we can't mount a car tire on a motorcycle. And the crew that's going to repave the
parking lot just showed up...

-Mike 

[Daniel Meyer]

Heh...probably not. I think I outweighed the entire crew (them canadians just don't know how to eat).

[Garland]

I love having mine. I already have the darkside-flaming-death-syndrome so the centerstand-can't-go-around-corner syndrome just comes natural! I don't blame you for not wanting to spend almost $500, but used ones (and new ones that never got installed) do come up in the $150-$300 range.

[Rams]

I love having mine. I already have the darkside-flaming-death-syndrome so the centerstand-can't-go-around-corner syndrome just comes natural! I don't blame you for not wanting to spend almost $500, but used ones (and new ones that never got installed) do come up in the $150-$300 range.

Much more reasonable, if I can find one in the area, I'll try to draw enough blood from the turnip to get one.

blackrams

[SgtBunny]

I bought one and ended up selling it due to me having Cobra exhausts and not wanting to have to dent them to make them work.

I could not get the bike on the center stand without my wifes help.

I later learned that this was due to the guy who had the bike before me using 10.5" 412 progressives on it which was WAY too short to run a centerstand effectively.

When I replaced the shocks with 440's I went to 11.5", but I had already sold the centerstand.

[SPOFF]

If you can get one cheap enough, and don't plan to use it more than once or twice a year, go for it. The problem with the Rivco center stand is the hollow sheet metal frame cross member they bolt it to is nowhere strong enough for the job. I have one mounted by Rivco about 11 years ago. Over the years the cross member has twisted to where the stand nearly rests against the back of the motor and it really doesn't lift the rear tire off the ground anymore. In later years Rivco added a threaded rod that pushes against the clutch cover to try to prevent this twisting. I'm considering removing my centerstand. If that cross member shears, I lose the side stand as well. (Then I have to remove the motor and take the frame to a good welder.) 

[hubcapsc]

If you can get one cheap enough, and don't plan to use it more than once or twice a year, go for it. The problem with the Rivco center stand is the hollow sheet metal frame cross member they bolt it to is nowhere strong enough for the job. I have one mounted by Rivco about 11 years ago. Over the years the cross member has twisted to where the stand nearly rests against the back of the motor and it really doesn't lift the rear tire off the ground anymore. In later years Rivco added a threaded rod that pushes against the clutch cover to try to prevent this twisting. I'm considering removing my centerstand. If that cross member shears, I lose the side stand as well. (Then I have to remove the motor and take the frame to a good welder.) 

Have you seen this?

http://bigbf.com/bigbf_shop/crossmember_damaged/

-Mike

[Rams]

If you can get one cheap enough, and don't plan to use it more than once or twice a year, go for it. The problem with the Rivco center stand is the hollow sheet metal frame cross member they bolt it to is nowhere strong enough for the job. I have one mounted by Rivco about 11 years ago. Over the years the cross member has twisted to where the stand nearly rests against the back of the motor and it really doesn't lift the rear tire off the ground anymore. In later years Rivco added a threaded rod that pushes against the clutch cover to try to prevent this twisting. I'm considering removing my centerstand. If that cross member shears, I lose the side stand as well. (Then I have to remove the motor and take the frame to a good welder.) 

Hmm,    I'd like to get my hands on one, I'm thinking if I had a proto type, I could build one and improve the design.  Maybe, maybe not.  If I can, I will try.

blackrams

[SPOFF]

Have you seen this?

http://bigbf.com/bigbf_shop/crossmember_damaged/

-Mike

Yes, I saw that years ago, although I'd forgotten he'd repaired it with the engine in place. My cross member isn't as twisted as that one, but it's getting there. (My sidestand is still functional.) I'd be inclined to fix mine by squaring up and welding a piece of u-channel reinforcement along the bottom of the existing cross member, although I'd have to let my engineer brother review that idea to see if that was a reasonable fix.

[Walküre]

The word is that a 1500 Goldwing center stand will bolt onto a Valkyrie and won't drag in turns...

I got one from Pinwall for $9.


-Mike

Mike - did the one from Pinwall come with all the mounting bolts, etc, from the Wing? I'd really like a center stand, can't stand waiting to find one, and have a machine shop at the house. Could probably figure it out, and post accordingly. but, I don't have a 1500 Wing around, to "compare" it to.

R

[hubcapsc]

The word is that a 1500 Goldwing center stand will bolt onto a Valkyrie and won't drag in turns...

I got one from Pinwall for $9.


-Mike

Mike - did the one from Pinwall come with all the mounting bolts, etc, from the Wing? I'd really like a center stand, can't stand waiting to find one, and have a machine shop at the house. Could probably figure it out, and post accordingly. but, I don't have a 1500 Wing around, to "compare" it to.

R

I got #10, I think #11 and some bolt. Today is the first time I have looked at this picture, I hoped it would clear up some stuff
for me, but I still don't see how it would "bolt right on" even if you had some of that other stuff... I think having a 1500 wing to
look at would be very helpful. I can't tell where the 1500 regular-kickstand bolts on from this picture, maybe there's a tab
right on the frame, or maybe there's some other fiche page that needs looked at... ?

I talked to the reliable person who saw one on a Valkyrie, the person who had it claimed it didn't drag and
bolted right on.



If anyone who is reading this has access to a 1500 wing, perhaps they'd go out and take a couple of pictures like this that
cover all the needful details:



My guess is that it involves removing the Valkyrie kickstand bracket, and bolting on some other stuff from the Wing...

-Mike

[Walküre]

I put a center stand on my 1200 Wing, and IIR, the side was separate. I don't think it will be a problem, and I think I can find a 1500 around - one of the guys at work has one, just have to talk him into dragging it out of the garage - he's cantankerous, sometimes...

I'll get one ordered from Pinwall, and do some hootenizing on it. I'd also want to make sure I got #12, and a ffew other things off that photo - I should know more, when I see the 1500...

It also wouldn't hurt, if anyone has the Rivco, uninstalled, that can take pictures, and maybe scan the instructions, it might be easier to make one, or if I have to modify the stock 1500, give me some ideas, etc.

I like the idea, of being able to pull a tire off, on the road. Safely!!

R

[hubcapsc]

It also wouldn't hurt, if anyone has the Rivco, uninstalled, that can take pictures, and maybe scan the instructions, it might be easier to make one, or if I have to modify the stock 1500, give me some ideas, etc.

Daniel Meyer has a bunch of pictures of someone installing a Rivco on some strange-looking clean Valkyrie...

http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/centerStand.html

-Mike 

[shortleg]

  I bet you could eat a few of them too.
             Shortleg[Dave]

[Big Tom 10628]

Have you seen this?

http://bigbf.com/bigbf_shop/crossmember_damaged/

-Mike
[/quote]

I had Big BF do this repair after finding that my Vikings would not fit. It would be worth a ride to Phoenix to let him do it...

[Daniel Meyer]

Daniel Meyer has a bunch of pictures of someone installing a Rivco on some strange-looking clean Valkyrie...

Yeah, wierd isn't it? I can't seem to find that machine again either. I do have a nice gray one though...

[agkatz]

Directline Parts has the Rivco centerstand in stock...for $499