Tire size/Center stand

[Delsilver]

The bike is easy enough to get up on the center stand, no more effort than any of my other bikes.
Getting it down is another story.
I have done a visual inspection of the frame and cross member as indicated in several threads I have read and can't see a problem in that area.
What I did find is the rear tire is a proper 150/90 15 but the front is a 130/90 16 instead of the proper 110/90 16.
The 130/90 16 is approx 1.4" taller than the factory tire which when on the center stand is going to bring the rear tire that much closer to the ground.
I feel this is the problem but would like some feedback from you guys with more experience with Wings.

Del

[jaimenv]

I would check the forks air pressure, chance it is on the high end.
Yea a wider tire in to a narrow rim will tend to bulge out adding height.

[Rednaxs60]

The tire size will make a difference. If the front tire is still good and within the 5 year window, and you can put up with the tire difference, change it back when you replace the tires. I found that you have to rock these 1200s quite a bit.

Looks like Honda changed the tire size in 1985 to the 130/90-16. My '85 is not that easy to get off/on the centre stand as well. My 1500 is easier to put on the centre stand and come off it, as was my ex-1800.

[patbrandon1]

I find the 1200s are a bit tougher to get off the center stand than some other bikes. I am 6'4" tall and 215 pounds, and still have a bit of a struggle getting it down sometimes. Especially if the bike is on a slight uphill trajectory.

The shed I do maintenance on my bike in has a bit of an incline and I do need to rock it a few times to get it down.

The tire size would add to it being harder, and reducing the pressure, as Jaime suggested, will help make it easier.

I did a quick search for tire size specs for a 1984 GL1200 i. What I saw was Tire – Front: 110/90-16 Tire – Rear: 130/90-15. This info came from https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcy ... teGoldWing

That info indicates that the tires on your bike are both the wrong size. It certainly could be wrong. And I'm not sure if what you are posting about is the '84 listed as your Motorcycle under your name. Are you referring to that bike in this post?

I have a friend in the tire business and he has always suggested that I follow what the bike manufacturer recommends for tire size. Your front tire being slightly larger that spec can do several things. Your speedometer will not be accurate. Your suspension will not behave as it was designed. And the handling will be affected.

It is also important to have matched sets of tires. They are sold in pairs designed for the best performance and safety that can be obtained. Non matching tires can diminish performance and safety, almost as much as wrong tire size.

I'm surly not trying to lecture here. I'm just sharing info that could be useful. There are always differing opinions for sure. I tend to follow what the manufacturer suggests because they have invested much time and expense in the engineering specs. Plus no doubt, wanting to cover their butt in case of any mishaps.

If it were me...(which is is not I know) I would research the exact right tire size and buy a matched set and install them. It probably will not help much with your center stand issue, but it could. And it will ride better, handle better, and be safer. There is a great how to remove and reinstall the wheels for your bike in the how to section of this site.

[DenverWinger]

My 1100 is a bugger to get onto the center stand. Easy fix, on the garage floor there's a two foot long piece of 2x6 laying lengthwise where the rear tire stops, when parking the bike I drive over the 2x6 and stop where the rear tire is at the front edge of the board. The extra 1 1/2 inch of lift on the rear tire makes getting on/off the center stand real easy. When backing out of the garage it is easy enough to steer the front tire around the board.

[julimike54]

I have a small piece of 1/2" thick plywood that the centerstand is on, find it helps with getting it off the centerstand.

My tires are E3s, front 130/80 B-16, rear MV 85 B-15 (fyi)

[Delsilver]

Thanks for all the replys.
Patbrandon definately food for thought, yes the bike is the one in my signature, which i have just purchased.
Not only are the tires not the correct size but they are miss matched as well, Metzler on the rear Dunlop on the front.
They both have minimal wear and me being a bit of a penny pincher they will have to last for a while.
I now have a 3/4" piece of plywood under the center stand which makes it harder to get up on the stand but much easier to get down.
I will also check the air pressure forks, shocks and tires and adjust as required, have to pickup a hand pump for the forks and shocks.
Again thanks for the replys.

[CrystalPistol]

I never noticed a 1200 with a 110/90-16 front tire, all I have ever seen on a 1200 front wheel is a 130/90-16 or equivilant. I don't think I have seen a 110/90-16 on anything actually. With OEM tires, my '85 GL-1200 would usually have the rear tire maybe 2" off pavement on center stand. I shortened the legs on my CS and widened the feet print years ago, added a locking bar and with larger feet area, with the rear tire less than 1/4" off pavement.
To easily get it off the center stand, even before my mods, I stand on left side of bike, side stand down, right heel ahead of foot extension off left side of CS, and with left hand on left grip, right hand on left side grab rail, give it a push forwards and she's off, then I ease onto side stand …. while I mount, start, glove up, helmet strap, etc. Rear is 150/90 15 and the front is a 130/90 16 OEM.

The bike is easy enough to get up on the center stand, no more effort than any of my other bikes.
Getting it down is another story.
I have done a visual inspection of the frame and cross member as indicated in several threads I have read and can't see a problem in that area.
What I did find is the rear tire is a proper 150/90 15 but the front is a 130/90 16 instead of the proper 110/90 16.
The 130/90 16 is approx 1.4" taller than the factory tire which when on the center stand is going to bring the rear tire that much closer to the ground.
I feel this is the problem but would like some feedback from you guys with more experience with Wings.

Del

[WingAdmin]

My 1100 is a bugger to get onto the center stand. Easy fix, on the garage floor there's a two foot long piece of 2x6 laying lengthwise where the rear tire stops, when parking the bike I drive over the 2x6 and stop where the rear tire is at the front edge of the board. The extra 1 1/2 inch of lift on the rear tire makes getting on/off the center stand real easy. When backing out of the garage it is easy enough to steer the front tire around the board.

My 1100 was very hard to get on the center stand...until I replaced the tired, sagging rear shocks with a new set of Progressive 416's, and then it was very easy to get onto the center stand. Amazing what a difference a couple inches of height makes!

[DenverWinger]

Yup, thought about that, but since I have the 1500 now, not sure I want to invest that kind of $ in the 1100.... And the PO put a set of 416's on the 1500, love 'em!