Center stand sag?

[Jkjiv]

I have a 96' GL1500SE with 44,000 miles.
When I put it on the center stand the rear tire is still touching the ground. Previous owner never used the center stand because he couldn't get it up on it. Now it's always on it. It would be nice if I could spin the wheel while changing the final drive oil. Pressure in the rear suspension doesn't seem to make a difference. Doesn't seem to be any damage to the center stand as far as I can tell but then again I'm not sure what to look for.

[blupupher]

What tire size is on there?

[Jkjiv]

The tire is 160/80 16 Elite 3

[Rambozo]

Perhaps the stand was replaced with a ride off stand?

[offcenter]

Perhaps the stand was replaced with a ride off stand?

I was going to suggest the same thing.
My '99 had a ride off stand when I got it. I put the stock stand back on it.
I have a Austone car tire on the rear and I can still spin my wheel.

[WingAdmin]

Get up underneath and have a look at the pivot point of the center stand. Make sure there is no corrosion and that the mount isn't bent.

Center stand

[Jkjiv]

Perhaps the stand was replaced with a ride off stand?

is there some way to tell if it is a ride off stand? maybe a measurement of the stock stand?

[Jkjiv]

Get up underneath and have a look at the pivot point of the center stand. Make sure there is no corrosion and that the mount isn't bent.

1.jpg

ill

I'll will post a pic shortly of what I have, Thanks!

[Rambozo]

Perhaps the stand was replaced with a ride off stand?

is there some way to tell if it is a ride off stand? maybe a measurement of the stock stand?

Compare it to the photo WingAdmin posted.
An aftermarket part will no doubt use different construction techniques than the mass produced OEM style.

[Jkjiv]

Definitely looks different, almost homemade compared to wingadmin's pic

[Jkjiv]

So I'm guessing I'm probably not getting an accurate pressure reading on my rear suspension either. Guess I'm in the market for a stock center stand.

[blupupher]

If you just want to verify your suspension reading (or be able to rotate your rear tire to check pressure), just get a 1/2 or so piece of plywood to place under the center stand with the rear tire off of it. When you go up on the stand on the wood, it should get your tire up enough to be off the ground.

I have a 3' x 4' x 1/2" thick rubber mat under my center stand to keep my stand from tearing up my garage floor, but it also gets my tire even further up off the ground (I have Maxxis Taxi tire on the rear with stock centerstand and have < 1/4" between the tire and ground without the mat).

I got it at Tractor supply and was $25-30.

edit: it is now $32. LINK

[Jkjiv]

Great idea! Thanks! I happen to work at a place that manufactures urethane products, some of which are sheets in all different thicknesses for industrial use. We have scrap occasionally it's even more durable than rubber.

[WingAdmin]

Judging by the quality of welds and the use of bar and square tube stock, I'd say with reasonable certainty that yours is a homemade special.

[Jkjiv]

Judging by the quality of welds and the use of bar and square tube stock, I'd say with reasonable certainty that yours is a homemade special.

Someone was probably proud of that work once

[WingAdmin]

Judging by the quality of welds and the use of bar and square tube stock, I'd say with reasonable certainty that yours is a homemade special.

Someone was probably proud of that work once

Oh, I agree! It's certainly eclipses any of the horrible welds I can produce! But it's not the type of welding you'd (hopefully) see on a commercial product.

[danbad]

old trick used to be,weld some extension feet on the ends of the stand legs,scaffold tube sawn in half was favourite

[2manywings]

The stand that Jkjiv shows in his post are of a popular "rideoff" stand from back in the early days of the 1500s. They were actually a nice piece, but were designed so you could "ride off" the stand instead of having to use brute force to get the bike off the centerstand. So they are meant to keep the rear tire contacting the ground.
One problem that I've seen over the years (especially on 1200s), is that the frame member that the centerstand brackets are welded to, rusts and twists, which allows the stand to overextend. I've watched MANY "couples" mount their bike while it's on the centerstand. Then they proceed to rock the bike fore and aft to get it to drop off the stand. That rocking action puts a tremendous strain on the bikes frame, and if there's any internal rust going on... you get the picture. The same is true of bikes that lean way over when on the sidestand. The section of the frame that the sidestand is attached to tends to rust internally and cause the the frame to twist. Just a couple of things to be aware of... Good luck!

[Jkjiv]

UPDATE: replaced the ugly ride-off stand with an OEM , $25 used from eBay. I blasted it at work and repainted it, looks brand new and the new tire is off of the ground. Thanks guys for all your help...this place and you guys are awesome! I couldn't have done everything I've done to this bike without you..