Thanks for the write up Zombie Master
My bike was ran into this weekend. Not a bad impact, but enough to knock it off it’s center stand.
The person who knocked it over then proceeded to use the side stand to “right his wrong,” and the left pipe has been smoking since then.
I don’t know how long the bike was on its side, but based on information I do have, it was probably down for about 15 minutes, and then on its side stand for another 2 hours after that before I finally realized the side stand was being utilized.
In any case, as irritating as the center stand is to use, I’ve found it useful enough to completely ignore the side stand. The spring it has doesn’t have enough pull anymore to auto-return like it is designed to do, and yet, it’s still a pain to get it to stand on its own regardless lol.
How does this Cold-Start/Warm-Up look and sound?
Take a stand
Judging by the tons of aftermarket stands available for almost every brand of motorcycle, I think it's a fair assumption that stands are not a priority when designing and marketing a motorcycle.
Let's face it, were you ever woo-ed into a bike purchase because the stand blew you away?
Stands usually go unnoticed, until you are in a situation where it can't be deployed or you have to pick up your damaged bike.
The absolute WORST on the planet are the Ducati sidestands that mount to the thin engine cases.
A bump the wrong way in a parking lot will have you coming out to a bike lying in a puddle of oil and calling your insurance to file a $5000 claim. I've heard that simply sitting on the bike while it's on the sidestand can crack the cases.
As far as airheads go, the sidestands are all total crap, user beware, and the center stands aren't much better. The later GS airhead centerstand has the lower parts splayed out about 45 degrees which somewhat enhances stability on mushy stuff. Not sure if it will retro-fit other models.
Let's face it, were you ever woo-ed into a bike purchase because the stand blew you away?
Stands usually go unnoticed, until you are in a situation where it can't be deployed or you have to pick up your damaged bike.
The absolute WORST on the planet are the Ducati sidestands that mount to the thin engine cases.
A bump the wrong way in a parking lot will have you coming out to a bike lying in a puddle of oil and calling your insurance to file a $5000 claim. I've heard that simply sitting on the bike while it's on the sidestand can crack the cases.
As far as airheads go, the sidestands are all total crap, user beware, and the center stands aren't much better. The later GS airhead centerstand has the lower parts splayed out about 45 degrees which somewhat enhances stability on mushy stuff. Not sure if it will retro-fit other models.
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Mechanic from Hell
"I remember every raging second of it...
My bike was on fire, the road was on fire, and I was on fire.
It was the best ride ever!"
"I remember every raging second of it...
My bike was on fire, the road was on fire, and I was on fire.
It was the best ride ever!"
- Zombie Master
- Posts: 8821
- Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:21 am
- Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada
Re: How does this Cold-Start/Warm-Up look and sound?
Funny you should mention those lousy Ducati side stands. I was visiting a good friend back East (Ontario Canada 1969 R75/5) and we went to a bike shop in Bellville Ontario. I bought a helmet and we were checking out the bikes. I noticed they were working on a Ducati in the shop, and like the curious nerd I am, I asked them if the side stand on those bikes were as bad as I had heard. They informed me they knew of no problems with them. A few minutes later, there was a crash and the Ducati was on it's side. I had never been into the shop area. They looked at me weirdly.
Any and all disclaimers may apply
Re: How does this Cold-Start/Warm-Up look and sound?
Kind of a bummer that such a simple design flaw was made. :/Zombie Master wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 12:55 pm Funny you should mention those lousy Ducati side stands...
I'd like to see about retrofitting one of the newer, wider-stance center stands onto my '80 r100t/7. They seem a little better suited for a wider range of terrains.gspd wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 11:52 am As far as airheads go, the sidestands are all total crap, user beware, and the center stands aren't much better. The later GS airhead centerstand has the lower parts splayed out about 45 degrees which somewhat enhances stability on mushy stuff. Not sure if it will retro-fit other models.
Fortunately, I only ever have had to mount up the bike on asphalt and cement, and never in temps higher than ~85° Fahrenheit.
For now, the center stand is doing its job, even if the "foot catch" that is used to pull it down is broken off and only a nub of it remains, it's enough to manipulate while I'm off the bike. There's a solid handle mounted on the left side of the seat (just forward of the seat release button and lock) that allows me the leverage needed to get the bike up and down. I have yet to have an issue with the stand so long as I'm manipulating it from the left side of the bike while not mounted.
Re: How does this Cold-Start/Warm-Up look and sound?
I'm getting ready for my 3rd or 4th hernia repair.
I blame 35 years of the R65's center stand.
I blame 35 years of the R65's center stand.
Rob V
Re: How does this Cold-Start/Warm-Up look and sound?
LOL. Noted. My hope is to *not* have that issue long-term >.>
As a general update to the Rough-Start issue, after a few days of letting it start "correctly" by only using the Starter Carburetor to, well, start the bike, toggling it back off once the bike is running, I've concluded that the original video on this thread was only ugly due to user error.
This was my first ever carbureted vehicle. Vehicle. So a bit of a learning experience, to be sure.
I've also been able to tune the idle screws so that, after it's properly warmed up, it idles at a nice 1100 rpm post oil change and am continuing to ride it as a daily get-around vehicle, taking note of things as I discover them.
Thank you GSPD, Kurt from S.A., Rob, and everyone else who helped me through this pathway of discovery!
My next few goals on the bike include, in no particular order:
- Cleaning of major parts
- Headlight assy swap
- Sidebags and Trunk/sissy bar addition (of some kind, the existing "trunk" wasn't suited for my needs and de-fastened itself the other day)
- Front Shocks rebuild/re-gaitering
- Return Spring replacement on the center stand
- Handlebar Grip replacements
- Better long-term mirror solution
- Possible removal of fairing (unsure on this one yet)
- Better highway pegs (these ones are useless, as they're "tightened" all the way but still don't stay put)
- Dent removal in the tank, or replacement if decently costed
- Valve Clearance/Rocker Arm adjustment (if needed)
- overall assessment of various greasing needs (drive shaft, mainly)
- assessment of the state of brakes (front and rear) and replacement as needed
- Brake MC rebuild and front-brake bleeds (probably at the same time as calipers/pads/rotors check/replacement(s)