Side stand bottoming out

londoncabby

XS650 Addict
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Does anyone else’s side stand bottom out on tight left handers? Mine does on my totally standard 78 roadster just wondering if it’s something I have to live with or apart from taking the stand off is there something I can do?
 
Yes, your tang may need some modding. My '78 had no sidestand when I got it. The stand I acquired had no tang so I had to fab one up. I took that opportunity to angle it up a little more and make it a little shorter .....

Modded Side Stand.jpg


Angling it up more puts it farther forward when retracted, which lets it contact the headpipe mount on the frame. Some fuel line slipped on the tang acts as a bumper .....

SidestandTang.jpg


SidestandTang2.jpg


I also welded a short M6 Allen to the end of the tang. A stainless acorn nut and washer fitted to that retains the rubber bumper and also allows it to be easily removed and replaced if need be. It's been on there for many years now and so far, replacement hasn't been needed. And needless to say, it doesn't drag, maybe because it's shorter?

SidestandTang3.jpg
 
While you've got the stand off to fix the tang, I suggest adding a grease nipple to the pivot. Simple mod, just drill and tap one hole, and keeping the pivot greased makes the stand operate sooooo smoothly .....

Side Stand Grease Nipple.jpg


Side Stand Grease Nipple2.jpg


Side Stand Grease Nipple3.JPG
 
You might be able to modify the stand, bend or tweak it, grind on the stop so it folds in tighter. Or you can install stiffer suspension
Stiffer and longer shocks would definitely help, as would stiffer fork springs. The oem suspension had very low spring rates, and I suspect most XS owners weigh more than the average XS owner in the 60s and 70s....
 
Stiffer and longer shocks would definitely help, as would stiffer fork springs. The oem suspension had very low spring rates, and I suspect most XS owners weigh more than the average XS owner in the 60s and 70s....
The very best handling bike I ever owned (still own somewhere) was/is a Honda CB1 400/4cyl 88 or 89 with surprisingly compliant suspension. I think maybe it was a combination of dampening and spring rates. So longer shocks yes. Stiffer fork springs? I don't know but plenty of people have had fork internals reworked and I will search that for my current 81 ride and any future projects. This bike has Konis likely overly stiff springs but is did handle nicely in the Ozarks while I rode at a grandfatherly pace.

IMGP1853.JPG
 
Yes I like that mod someone did suggest to eat less pies but I think I’ll try modifying it similar to yours.
Don't care what the question was, eating less pie is NEVER the right answer. (Though I've learned to do smaller slices over more days...)
 
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