How to get a Goldwing on and off the center stand

[WingAdmin]

I see this question over and over again, and I've seen quite a few people try to describe the procedure. I thought it would be easier just to show it:



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To view it in high-definition glory: Getting a Honda Goldwing on and off the Center Stand

[SARoss]

Excellent! That helps... I think that my bike may have a deeper indent in the center stand. It took quite a bit of momentum to overcome the stand before it released and retracted.

[WingAdmin]

Looking at the video, I think part of what I'm actually doing is while I pull back on the grips, I also bump my rear end into the back of the seat, which tips the bike backward (remember, the rear wheel is up in the air). It tips just a bit, and then rocks forward again, at which point I use that momentum and give the grips a push forward to help it over and off the center stand.

[selahf]

I have recently been experiencing a variation of the stated problem. I have no problem getting the bike onto the center stand, the issue is getting it down. The center stand seems to be moving further forward these days when the bike is up. The signs of this are that the extension where one places a foot to get the bike up on the stand has become a resting point instead of the foot itself and I have to get it up over center to get the bike down. I initially thought that the stand had bent or otherwise deformed, but after close comparrison with a known good stand, could not find any problem with any dimensions on the stand. It is like a shim is now needed to keep the stand fom going over center when putting the bike up, but again I can not see any obvious damage to cause this condition. Any thoughts, knowledge of, or tips relating to this condition would be greatly appreciated. Would like to get back to using the center stand again.P.S. This is a 1981 GL1100 I

[WingAdmin]

That's a pretty good indication that the bracket holding the center stand in place to the frame of the bike is corroded, bending, or failing in some other way. Take a good, close look at it with a bright light, and a mirror if required.

[sterrier12]

A well done presentation as usual WingAdmin. Just one comment, when going down off the center stand with the side stand down, make sure your left foot, in particular your toe, is out of the way of the side stand - it can be very painful. Speaking from experience with my old GS1000E.

I've been spending a lot of time reading on this site and is great. Totally without comparison. Thanks very much!

[joshellison]

excellent post. I can easily get my GW on and off the center stand now. thanks.

[baobabs]

Recently purchased an 82 Goldwing aspencade and appreciate your effort and video demonstration of center stand. Thank you

[Gpa_Joe]

i cannot tell you how i struggled rolling that big &^$# up...

thanks for the tip, rolls up easy these days...

[Pigasus]

This is wonderful, thank you! I scoured the owner's manual of my new-to-me 1200 LTD, looking for this exact information. I can't figure out why Honda didn't include it. With your tutorial, it's *almost* a piece of cake.

[cbx4evr]

Nothing wrong with the procedure it's whatever works for you. I used to do it that way until someone half my size suggested I use my left foot rather than the right. There's no going back for me now. I can put my 1500 up on the center stand wearing slippers. It's that easy.

[Jock]

I just want to say thanks. For years I have had to have help when putting my wing on the center stand. After checking out this "how to" thread I can now put the bike up on the stand with no problems.

I am certain when I would try to put it up myself before I never got the bike level and while trying to roll it up onto the stand I was also struggling with the weight of the bike itself. Once I let the bike lean so that it the stand was flat on the floor it almost seemed easy.

Thanks again

[knightstalker]

very helpful, thanks

[moffat]

When I bought my GL1100 I noticed that whilst on the cenrte stand both wheels were touching the ground and somewhat unstable .The bike was extremely difficult to put on and even get off the centre stand. I also have a GL1000 that is no problem at all. Yes the centre stand holding pipe was beginning to corrode at each end which seems a common problem with these old wings.
Whilst the engine is out being rebored I turned the bike on its side and rewelded the damaged area and had to then weld a shim on the centre stand to ensure the back wheel is off the ground. I then drilled a 1/4" drain hole in the welded pipe and also a 1/4" drain hole in the left hand removable frame member as thay collect water which will corrode through. A good squirt of waxoil finished the job off.
Hope this helps
David

[bfetch]

For me to get my GL1000 up on its center stand I have to remove the (Vetter) panniers and unload the travel-trunk, or ask for assistance. It helps if you have a bit of weight and my 145 pounds aren't quite enough. Rest assured, I'm not advocating gaining weight just to be able to perform this task.

[moffat]

I'm 6ft 5" and 120 kilograms ex rugby player and sometimes still have difficulty getting the bike on the stand in spite of the centre stand repair. Mind you the only thing I have in my trunk is my helmet and jacket. I think I will try eating more spinach! Seriously though its easier to put on the stand by rocking back and forth a little before pressing bdown on the lever, then it comes up easily.

[WingAdmin]

Honestly guys, if you have to rock or strain to do it, you're not doing something right. I'm just a hair over 160 lbs, and I never had problems getting my 1100 up on the center stand, and can get my 1500 (900+ lbs) up just as easily:



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[moffat]

Its because we Limeys drive on the other side of the road!

[WingAdmin]

Its because we Limeys drive on the other side of the road!

Don't you mean you drive on the "wrong" side of the road? (I have this argument constantly with my British ex-wife)

[bfetch]

Working as a Honda mechanic for several years, I recall Honda made some design changes in the post GL1000 models that made their center-stands easier to use. I was aware of this when I bought my old '79 'Wing and decided it was something I could live with.

[kwild]

If you still have problems getting the bike on the center stand, try this.
Place a small piece of 3/4" plywood on the ground. Roll the bike over it until the rear tire is the only part on it.
The extra height in the rear will make it easier to get onto the stand.

[Oddbirdwithbrokewing]

I didn't see one of these mentioned.

[dragonblood69]

If you still have problems getting the bike on the center stand, try this.
Place a small piece of 3/4" plywood on the ground. Roll the bike over it until the rear tire is the only part on it.
The extra height in the rear will make it easier to get onto the stand.

I use this technique with my GL1000. However i use a small 2x4. Makes it much easier... I am going to try the advise posted in this video..

[Sempai]

This is a good thread, great topic for discussion as I know MANY Goldwingers in my area who are incapable of center standing their GL's. And I can't tell you how many times I have witnessed (several different) Goldwingers accomplish this task only after getting fellow Bikers to help them with the job...
I have two tips, one for getting it up, and one to alleviate several safety concerns before getting the bike back down. Oh, by the way, I am 5'4" tall, 162lbs, and my personal bike is a GL1500.
My first tip is that I tend NOT to pull backwards on the GL 15s or 18s when I am getting them up on their stands. I usually square the beast up onto the stand with left hand on left grip, left foot on solid ground, right foot on the stand's foot lever, and my right hand holding firmly on the grab handle... When ready, I push down with the right foot and pull up with the right hand..and the center stand does all the moving. BONUS TIP: if you raise the rear suspension before trying to center your bike, this task gets a tad bit easier.
My second tip is more of a suggestion. I noticed in your video that you suggest to ensure the side stand is down. I don't mean this as an argument, I just hope to shed some light. This is a rebuttal concerning the issue of having the side stand up or down. Please read on.
I suggest you put the side stand UP before taking your Wing off its center stand.
At least one member previously commented on the mishap of landing the side stand on your foot. This is quite painful, ASK ME HOW I KNOW!! A taller person whose legs grant him/her the ability to put their feet away from the landing zone may not need to worry about this, but for all of us short-legged folks, this is a hazard that can land you with broken parts in your left foot.
Another issue with the side stand down technique is unexpected tip over. Consider the event when you're riding down the road and you realize you think you've gotten a flat on the back. My first response is to pull over and look for a flat. Once parked, I get it up on the center stand to inspect the tire. If I don't see anything amiss, I'm quite likely to jump aboard and finish my ride...here-in lies the problem. If I didn't SEE the problem, and I don't expect a problem, I will probably proceed without concern. But perhaps the tire was in fact low on air and when I came down off the center stand, the weight of the bike settling in to its suspension with the side stand down...quickly and without warning kicked the bike well beyond tipping point to the right. ASK ME HOW I KNOW such a thing could happen.
Two other scenarios are to be mentioned here. One, you've pulled over to inspect your rear tire but don't realize you've parked the bike in such a fashion that the kickstand's landing zone is higher than the tires...or perhaps when you pulled it up onto the center stand you've inadvertently disheveled the loose gravel and now you don't realize the K.stand's zone is higher now than when you stopped...or you moved the bike completely after you had gotten off to find level ground for the C.stand without regarding where the K.stand will land now...who knows how may instances can find you in a position where the side stand can be a detriment to the landing of the bike off its center stand. I have seen it happen more than once.
Parked your bike for the winter on it center stand? Hopefully you've checked that the rear tire is still inflated properly. And, hopefully, the tire is still intact and capable of supporting the Wing when you put it back to work. In the event that the tire is flat or about to pop and you simply have no prior notice, having the side stand down while coming of the center stand increases your chances of being unexpectedly tipped to the right.
I'm sorry if you feel as if you just wasted 10 minutes of your life reading this post...I'm really bored at this moment, icey roads preventing me from riding today. So I chose to spend the day loafing on the Net. Anyway, just put the side stand up after you get her up on the center stand, and you won't have to worry about any of this!

[WingAdmin]

I totally agree with everything you have mentioned, particularly regarding the side stand. I mention leaving it down when putting the bike up on the center stand, as a "backup" should the attempt to get it on the center stand fail - that way you aren't left holding a bike balancing on its wheels while trying to get the center stand down. Instead, if the center stand attempt fails (for whatever reason), you just let it back down and pull it towards you, which rests it on the side stand.

However I do normally put the side stand up before taking it off the center stand - for all the reasons you list, and mainly because when I am taking it off the center stand, I'm normally about to go out and ride.

Having to physically haul a bike up when the sidestand is trying its best to push it over is not something I like to do. I've had to do it before also when the bike was put onto the sidestand inadvertently on a road with a high crown. In order to get the side stand up, I had to tilt the bike so far to the right that it was everything I could do to keep it from tipping over.

So all in all, some very good suggestions. Thanks for adding them!