center stand

[kicker29]

I have kind of a silly question. I have had my 1987 Interstate for 9 years now and I just saw the other day a picture of a 1200 on the center stand and the rear tire was just off the ground. So here is my question: when I put my 1200 on the center stand is the rear tire supposed to be off the ground? Mine does not do that. Mine, when on the center stand, both tires are on the ground but with a lot of the weight of the bike is off the tires. Is this something I should be really concerned about? Is there something wrong with my bike? I know that is three questions but, oh well. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Charlie1Horse]

Sounds like a previous owner may have replaced the rear shocks with longer ones, or rebuilt the front forks and didn't get the fork tubes all the way back up into the triple tree before tightening them. Probably not a problem if it still sits up solid on the center stand.
Russell

If I don't do Facebook or Twitter do I still have to do Social Media Distancing????

[CrystalPistol]

I have head of some center stand cross member mounts sagging or collapsing. I've seen guys get on the bike with Co-rider already on, stand and rock the bike off the center stand which I know was brutal on it.

My '85 Aspencade would have the rear tire a good 1.5" off the floor when on the center stand, I grew tired of it … one day I did some measuring, calculating, removed the center stand and cut the feet off, then cut exactly 3/4" off each leg, made the feet slightly wider, welded the feet onto the legs with bike sitting on them for "proper angle" … then the rear tire was just barely touching the floor or pavement if at all, was 1/8" above floor if I put center stand on a piece of tough plastic I used that let me spin the bike around easily on my smooth concrete floor with no scratches. My center stand with my new feet was a good 16" wide total, it would even work on earth …. I made a "lock bar/brace" to put in place when leaving unattended. I used a hitch pin normally, but it was lockable. Made for easier use of the center stand.

[DenverWinger]

There's a 3 foot long piece of 2x6 sitting on the garage floor where I park my 1100, I park the bike with the rear tire on the 2x6.

Without the 2x6 under the wheel it's almost impossible to get the bike on the center stand. On the stand, the rear wheel still touches the 2x6 but just barely. And if the rear shocks aren't fully aired up (very slow leak) it's even harder to get it on the stand.

[CrystalPistol]

There's a 3 foot long piece of 2x6 sitting on the garage floor where I park my 1100, I park the bike with the rear tire on the 2x6.

Without the 2x6 under the wheel it's almost impossible to get the bike on the center stand. On the stand, the rear wheel still touches the 2x6 but just barely. And if the rear shocks aren't fully aired up (very slow leak) it's even harder to get it on the stand.

Sounds like about 1.5" there. I know that my 1200 was a real bear to get up on the center stand before shortening. It was still heavy afterwards, just didn't have to go up as far, but once one the CS, it was there to stay, but then not as far to drop either. In my basement, was times I went to push it off, the CS just slid so I would place a foot in front of the step assist pad as I pushed. On ground or pavement, no skidding and with the tires still on the ground, the CS worked really nice if grass or dirt, very easy to put on, push off which is also partly why added a easily removable brace.