Creating a shorter side stand?

[4jranch]

Having lowered my wife's Tenere with a lower link we now find need to shorten her stand. Previously it really hasn't been an issue. Now on our three week adventure ride and more heavily loaded it is a problem. The bike stands upright on even pavement and barely leans over when the there is a slope. We need a hole or steep slope to get the desired result. Not always an option when getting gas. Putting the lowered bike on the center stand is not very easy. So has anyone heated the stand in the middle and bent it out to create a better angle? Anyone know what material the stand is made of, or if in can be cut and welded? We are on our trip and need some solution that we can use away from home.

Thanks for any suggestions?

 

[trikepilot]

I cut and welded a Wasp extension into my 2012 sidestand so I am sure you could cut, shorten, and then weld back together.

 

[4jranch]

That is what I was thinking about. Maybe not while on this trip. We did adjust the rear preload which will help some. Do you know if the 2012 model and the '14 model's side stands are the same metal alloy?

 

[regulator]

They are not the same.

 

[Dogdaze]

Just buy a 'Soupys' adjustable side stand, there is a new member on here a few days ago that has one and wants to extend his...... maybe a swap?

 

[VPS1]

Jaxon at RideOnAdventure shortened my side and center stand. They work perfectly.

 

[SilverBullet]

Maybe post up a welder needed thread on advrider and you might find one convenient along your route. Cut foot plate off sidestand, shorten appropriately and weld foot plate back on. This way even if weld failed you would still have a useable sidestand by setting any strong plate under it.

Short term here's an idea. Carry a small ~6"x4"x2" piece of plastic or wood. When stopped drop it in front of rear wheel, ride bike forward putting rear wheel on top of it. That should make sidestand useable. Since you're riding together even easier as you can be the dedicated plank setter for her when you guys stop.

_

 

[4jranch]

Thanks fellows for your thoughts and help.... ::008::

 

[EricV]

The Gen I bikes, 2010-2013, have steel side stands. The Gen II bikes, 2014-on, have aluminum side stands. You would need someone that can weld aluminum. The heat up and bend method doesn't usually work well on aluminum.

As for something you can do on your trip, I suppose it depends on where you are traveling and what resources you can locate. A good welder that has the equipment to weld aluminum can shorten your side stand w/o much difficulty. Look for an RV repair shop.

The Ghetto method is to cut a small piece of board, drill a hole in it and attach a length of cord to it. Pull up to a stop, throw the piece of board down, attach the cord end to the bars, ride the bike's back tire over the piece of board, then put the side stand down. Something like a 1" x 3" might do the trick and not be too bulky to carry or difficult to ride on to.

You may consider that what you need is a stiffer spring to handle the greater load when traveling. I've done that to bikes in the past, including my wife's GS and my Super Ten.

 

[Checkswrecks]

While agreeing with everything Eric wrote, I'll just add that even while on your trip, finding a shop which can weld aluminum should be as easy as searching a Google map for where you are with the word "welder"

 

[Brick]

My 2014ES side stand is only too short when my bike is fully loaded for traveling AND I don't have the suspension set up for two riders and luggage. That gives the rear enough pre-load to raise the rear enough that it doesn't feel like it's going to fall over to the right.
Today I spoke with a local who knows metal he said he couldn't tell what the side stand was made of but it would cost me $75 to have him cut shorten it. Hell for that much I should just purchase the adjustable one. That way before a trip I could adjust it for the load and when riding with out luggage I could adjust it for no load.


Let's Ride!
Brick

 

[dandil726]

had mine cut in the middle and a half inch removed and welded back up with a added piece inside for strength. half in was the right amount to remove.

 

[Brick]

had mine cut in the middle and a half inch removed and welded back up with a added piece inside for strength. half in was the right amount to remove.

What year is your bike? I could have done that easily on my 2012 as it has a steel kick stand... The 2014 is not made of steel.


Let's Ride!
Brick

 

[Kurgan]

Today I spoke with a local who knows metal he said he couldn't tell what the side stand was made of but it would cost me $75 to have him cut shorten it.

I used to hear that kind of shit from "locals" when I lived in NW part of NC for all sorts of jobs I wanted done. "Who knows what it is or how exactly I'm going to do it, but I sure has hell know how much money I want!"

For bike or trailer stuff, I had had enough, I learned to MIG and TIG weld and got my certification as a bonus.

 

[jmcgilroy]

I seem to recall a similar thread a month or so ago, so this is a common issue. The photo that the OP posted is an aluminum side stand, yes? I'd agree with everyone else's assessment that the 2012-2013 are steel and are easily cut and welded but with aluminum it's not that simple. There are some aluminum alloy's that can't/shouldn't be welded (7075) and some that can be welded but even then the welder should know the specific alloy in order to determine the correct filler rod to use and the strength of the heat effected zone may be at issue, etc. I think the best answer to this is weld away on the steel versions...buy an adjustable side-stand if you have the aluminum one.

 

[Buckeye56]

With aluminum it comes down to the alloy:

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-how-to/Pages/aluminum-design-mistakes-detail.aspx

assuming the stand is one of the weld able alloys you would need to reheat treat it to get it back the T6 state.

 

[Kurgan]

Anyone know why Yamaha changed the sidestand design and material it was made from?

 

[magic]

A new mild steel sidestand for a 2013 is only $55 USD from partzilla. Looks like a direct fit. Just swap your aluminum one for the steel version. The sidestand bracket has the same part number for 2013 and 2014 models. The spring is the same but the bolt has an updated part number. Looks like a pretty simple fix. If you think you need to shorten it, the mild steel welding is easy. My 2013 sits on the sidestand just fine, loaded or unloaded, even with the Altrider big foot plate on.

 

[4jranch]

Thanks, will check it out....