Side stand modification

[WintrSol]

Like many, I find the bike leans a bit too much on the side stand, making it a real grunt to get the bike to riding position. I've also used a 2x4 when parking, which helps a lot, but it feels that it is too upright. A 1" board seems a good compromise. I found some old threads on the net that mentioned a part to do this, made by Rivco, but that doesn't seem to be around anymore. Does anyone still make/sell a 'shoe' for the foot that adds a bit more up to the stand?

[sandy]

You're right, Rivco use to make them. I have one. If you contact Rivco and ask real nice, they might find one. I've seen pics of a small plate that was bolted to the foot. You might be able to make one.
A friend totaled his Valk and he had one. I'll email him and see if the insurance company got it.

[gordonv]

My concern before you ever start that, is have you inspected the cross member to insure it hasn't been twisted? Last thing I would want to do it to not fix the problem.

[flcjr]

I bought one from a member here a few years ago. I believe he was making them himself. I think is handle is Tank.... Something. Works good I like it maybe some one else will chime in and know who he is.

[R J]

Like many, I find the bike leans a bit too much on the side stand, making it a real grunt to get the bike to riding position. I've also used a 2x4 when parking, which helps a lot, but it feels that it is too upright. A 1" board seems a good compromise. I found some old threads on the net that mentioned a part to do this, made by Rivco, but that doesn't seem to be around anymore. Does anyone still make/sell a 'shoe' for the foot that adds a bit more up to the stand?

When taking the bike off of the side stand to ride it, turn the handlebars full right and raise the bike up.

Works a lot better in getting the phat bitch off the stand.

That is the way we used to get the old CHP bikes off the side stand when they had the radio and all the other good stuff we had to haul around, just in case we might need it.   Besides all of this stuff was on the TOP side of the bike.

Go give it a try and let me know what you think.    Thanks.

[WintrSol]

I inspected the frame, all around, while I had it on a lift, and took a close look at the stand, too; all looks normal. Turning the bars to the right does help, but I'm just under 5'7" and ~170lbs, so don't have a lot to work with. Putting 1" under the stand makes it a lot more reasonable, for me. On one of the old threads, I found a link to something called 'the gripper', which adds some height the foot, and may be helpful; cheap at just under $12, so worth a shot. It doesn't look all that thick, but any would be an improvement.

[Pappy!]

At your height it would be well worth you investing in some 11.5" shocks. This will lower the bike and also "fix" your excessive lean angle. Kill two birds in one stone.

[mustang071965]

WintrSol, when your bike is on the lift. and your stand is out. grab the bottom and pull up. if it moves like mine did about 1 to 2 inches. the bolt hole in the stand holder is worn. mine did that. had a new kick stand bolt. but the play was still there. i removed the kick stand holder and bored out the bolt hole to take a SS bushing i found at my local Atwoods. the bushing was the correct ID for the bolt. i pressed in the bushing and with 2 brass spacers to take up the remaining slack between the kick stand and holder. now no up and down movement. bike sits up at a normal angle now.

[WintrSol]

The shocks are the air ride type from a 'Wing; I suppose I could let the air out first, then air them back up after lifting the bike, but it's hard to see the pressure gauge when sitting on it, since it is attached to the key switch.

I'll have to check the wear in the pivot bolt - something that didn't occur to me. Seems like an easy fix, if that's what is causing it. Thanks for the idea, Mustang!

[mustang071965]

your Welcome

[Old Geezer Richard]

Hey WintrSol , I learned the Hard Way about the Kick - Stand .... One Saturday morning I was backing my bike out to go for a ride with the wifey and as I kicked the kick stand out and started to lean over , I heard a Click !!!! As I started to get off the damn bike kept leaning over to the point of No Return ... I looked down and the damn kick stand was not holding up but going side ways , so I  had to let her down Slowly until I was able to get off .... What I found out was that RINKY DINKY BOLT that Honda used is not a Grade 5 or 8 Steel Bolt but more or less a POS Pot Metal Bolt , in my opinion ... So I replaced it with a Metric Steel Bolt and I keep a spare spring , bolt and another kick stand just in case , try putting gas in your bike without a kick stand some time if your by yourself ....  I agree with the lean angle and the weight of your Fat Lady on that Dinky OEM Bolt because it might Surprise You , so I keep a piece of 1 X 3 about 6 inches long in my saddle bags , just in case the ground or asphalt is soft or if the parking lot has a slight slope .... So as a result I never lean my bike over agressively or hard when I'm getting off my bike after my last surprise , just my .02 cents .... Thanks the Geezer   

[Gryphon Rider]

I haven't tried it or seen it done, but perhaps you can put a washer or two between the sidestand bracket and the frame crossmember, at the left bolt?  the pic below, from BigBF's web site (bigbf.com), shows a damaged crossmember, but you should get the idea.

[WintrSol]

I took it apart today, and, while there were wear marks on the bolt, it was not excessive, and the play in the end of the stand was no more than one might expect. The bolt that holds mine is a machined shoulder bolt, so I'm not sure how it could be replaced with an off-the-shelf type. I'm thinking adding the gripper pad to the foot, and keeping a 1" board handy for less-than-level parking may be the only way to go, for now. Adding a washer to the outboard end of the bracket seems like it would weaken the system; I'd have to take a closer look there, just to decide if that would be viable.

[BF]

Didn't Big Mike at Valkyrie Bling and more make a bunch of the kick stand foots a few years ago?

[Skinhead]

I took it apart today, and, while there were wear marks on the bolt, it was not excessive, and the play in the end of the stand was no more than one might expect. The bolt that holds mine is a machined shoulder bolt, so I'm not sure how it could be replaced with an off-the-shelf type. I'm thinking adding the gripper pad to the foot, and keeping a 1" board handy for less-than-level parking may be the only way to go, for now. Adding a washer to the outboard end of the bracket seems like it would weaken the system; I'd have to take a closer look there, just to decide if that would be viable.

Drill A Hole in the board and put a piece of heavy string through it.  make the string long enough to reach your handlebars and put a loop in that End.   that way you don't have to bend over to pick up the board when you leave

[Farther]

I mean no disrespect but if you are new to the bike a technique will come.  If not new then get to a gym and develop some upper body strength.  It really is about balance more than strength.  

I am a short old man with arthritis (5'8", 65 yo).  When I first got the Valkyrie it was a handful.  But somewhere along the line my body figured it out and developed some muscle memory in righting the bike.  It helps me to put my hip into the bike whether I am on it or not but I have way more control if I straddle the bike first.  I don't even get off the bike to refuel.  

Be advised that if not paying attention while sitting on the bike and refueling you can end up with a crotch full of fuel.  It seems that people at gas stations have many questions while I try to refuel and are a great distraction.  I guess a little old man on a big ass bike with a small dog on the back is a curiosity.    

[WintrSol]

Farther, no issues here with upper-body strength. I'm also 65, and have no issues there; I'm also trained in balance and leverage techniques, being a fifth Dan BB. I just don't like doing more than is really necessary, and having this bike lean more than is necessary bugs me, especially when I have to park where the ground tilts the same way.

I may have to use that string idea, and make a small holder to put the board into, so I don't have to put it in a pocket. That is, if the pad I ordered doesn't do enough.

[98valk]

http://www.gripperusa.com/

[WintrSol]

http://www.gripperusa.com/

That's the pad I found on the old thread; I'll see when it gets here if it helps at all.

Thinking about having the rear tire go flat while on the side stand (does that actually happen?), that would drop the rear just about 3", and 3" is just about what makes the bike nearly vertical, when placed under the stand. I suppose that is a valid reason for making this bike so hard to get upright.

[Pappy!]

Yep, last year around Inzane time I remember reading a thread about a bike that was found tipped over not once but twice. Rear had gone flat on him.

[Farther]

......being a fifth Dan BB. 

Would that be in shodō, sadō or kebana?............ Just kidding!!

[gordonv]

If you want to raise the bike a little, how about looking at the nut holding the kick stand on the bike, and seeing if you have enough thread left that you could place a washer (or two) between the stand and the frame?

[saddlesore]

The following shows a riser for a VTX but it may fit a Valkyrie too. Maybe someone tried it already and might know.

http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-category/sidestand-pads.html

[98valk]

The following shows a riser for a VTX but it may fit a Valkyrie too. Maybe someone tried it already and might know.

http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-category/sidestand-pads.html

if it fit I would imagine they would list it as so
http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-motorcycle/honda/honda-gl1500c-f6c-1997-2003-valkyrie.html

[Jess from VA]

The following shows a riser for a VTX but it may fit a Valkyrie too. Maybe someone tried it already and might know.

http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-category/sidestand-pads.html

if it fit I would imagine they would list it as so
http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-motorcycle/honda/honda-gl1500c-f6c-1997-2003-valkyrie.html

Except with a bike out of production for over 12 years, you cannot count on that anymore.

[R J]

The following shows a riser for a VTX but it may fit a Valkyrie too. Maybe someone tried it already and might know.

http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-category/sidestand-pads.html

if it fit I would imagine they would list it as so
http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-motorcycle/honda/honda-gl1500c-f6c-1997-2003-valkyrie.html

Don't stand around wondering, call them Monday morning.

I'd lay $$$$ that it will fit the Valkyrie.

Rivco used to make one for the Valk, as I have on on the sidestand on the Valk Trike.      NO, I will not sell it.    Son might want to convert it back to a 2 wheeler.

[WintrSol]

I just send an email; if they respond, I'll let you all know what they say.

[steve469]

The following shows a riser for a VTX but it may fit a Valkyrie too. Maybe someone tried it already and might know.

http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-category/sidestand-pads.html

if it fit I would imagine they would list it as so
http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-motorcycle/honda/honda-gl1500c-f6c-1997-2003-valkyrie.html

Except with a bike out of production for over 12 years, you cannot count on that anymore.

It fits, I have one on mine.

[98valk]

The following shows a riser for a VTX but it may fit a Valkyrie too. Maybe someone tried it already and might know.

http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-category/sidestand-pads.html

if it fit I would imagine they would list it as so
http://rivcoproducts.com/shop-by-motorcycle/honda/honda-gl1500c-f6c-1997-2003-valkyrie.html

Except with a bike out of production for over 12 years, you cannot count on that anymore.

It fits, I have one on mine.

good to know, will need it when the austone goes on. thanks

[WintrSol]

I just send an email; if they respond, I'll let you all know what they say.

I spoke to Marla at Rivco, and, as of now, they have two sidestand pads left for the GL1500. She said they were in the bottom of a box, labeled for something else. So, if any of you wants one, now is the time to call; they're sure not going to list two on their site, so phone orders only!