Centre Stand Help

Center Stand Help

From the Phatt Files

How to put your bike on its center stand.

I know that this is less and less of a problem now-a-days BUT if there is one thing that seems to flumox many
riders it is putting their motorcycle on the Center Stand. That is those bikes, which still have one. This does not
have to be hard. In fact with these simple steps you too can hoist a Gold Wing up like it was nothing

The first thing you must do is stop trying to lift the bike with your arms. Heaving and pulling on the bike is not
the answer. The bike will weigh in excess of you and this will simply not work

The second thing you must do is to allow the weight of your body to work for you as a lever against the stand.

So how do you do this? Simple

We shall assume that your bike is on its side stand

Approach your motorcycle from the left (clutch control) side.

Have your stomach roughly even with the drivers seat.

Take your left hand and place it upon the left hand grip

Take you right hand and place it under or on something solid and to your right

Put your left foot firmly and straight down on the ground make sure to keep it straight

Take your right foot and place it upon the center stand lever It should have a slight bend at the knee and you
should be about 8 inches or so from your motorcycle Gently lean a bit forward and use your arms to lever
the bike off of the side stand until you feel the center stand properly placed with both stand feet firmly on the
ground

Your arms are now finished with their work Now stand up straight.

Relax the left arm. Keep the right arm straight but not under tension Ready?

Now with the center stand firmly planted on the ground Your left leg straight and your left foot under you
Your right arm straight but not pulling and the handle bars square to the bike
Your right leg slightly bent with your foot upon the center stand lever

Drop the weight of you body onto your right leg and just straighten your right leg

DO NOT LIFT WITH YOUR ARMS

That is it. Just straighten your leg and the bike will nicely rock back onto the stand and you are done

Do Not lean into the bike. This will tip it away from you

Do Not pull back away from the bike to try and use your arms. This will overload your left leg giving you
less leverage on the right foot and make you less stable

Do Not lift your shoulders to try and use the muscles in your arms to lift the bike

Do Not jump on the center stand lever to try and get more weight onto the right leg. This will just unbalance you.

Do Not Falter after you have started. This will allow the bike to roll forward and perhaps fall away from you.
Always act with confidence and see it through

Confidence that you can do something is most of the battle and this system will work Every time

If you have any doubts ask a friend to stand on the right side of the bike, to keep it from falling away from you, but
do not ask them to help you lift. You do not need theirhelp; Just the power of straightening your leg is all you need
Honest Johnnie Phatt

Johnnie Phatt was a Regular SoapBox Contributor to CMG

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These Tips come from many people, on the various
motorcycle forums I frequent.

If You Attempt Modifications & Ruin Your Motorcycle
It Is Your Problem.
If You Are Not Mechanically Inclined,
Get Help From Someone Who Is
I Am Not Responsible For Use/Misuse Of These Tips & Tricks
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