Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Center Stand Technique?

Mounted a Norman Hyde Center (Centre for some) Stand today. That was no biggie, but getting the bike up on it was oh, so tough. Is there a special technique involved that anyone know of or is it all about brutal force? The Hyde grab handle is also mounted...

If it is anything like my Moto Guzzis or Yamahas, jerk that ****** up like you're the boss. Press down hard w/ your foot on the centre stand.

Just brought the stand but haven't fitted it yet as the grab handle didn't arrive. Guess cruiser weight is gonna be a pain for pulling it onto a centre stand. Guess if you can get more of an angle of the stand to the ground then it might be a lot easier. Try riding the bike rear wheel onto a 1 or 2 inch plank of wood. Might just give the leverage you need. I would only use mine for chain maintenance and rear wheel cleaning so wouldn't need to carry a block of wood around.

my cure for that issue was.................centerstand was lowered by 10 mm...no strap or special grab handle needed

It is technique. Stand on the centre stand with your foot and left hand on left grip and right hand on grab rail then lift with authority whilst putting force down on the centre stand with your foot and let the bike drop back wards. If you are having trouble try it on a slight incline till you find the pivot point. Once you get the knack it becomes easier.

lowered means cut off 10mm of metal

Of course!

If one is havin' a tough time deploying their center stand because it hits the tarmac too early in its swing down, then one would have to adjust it by shortening it, wouldn't one?!

(...but hey, at least I can "getcha" on your wording here anyway, G...you meant to say "raise" the stand somehow, not "lower" it)

I have had centrestands on quite a few of the bikes I have owned and the America I have now is fitted with one. The technique is quite simple but have found that with my prosthetic knee and some back issues it has become a difficult task nowadays. Lot easier and safer to have someone give the bike a tug from the back if you have any issues like this. Have asked guys on the street to do this to oil chain on long runs and has never been a problem.

My 1st generation Rivco stand on my SM requires hernia-inducing effort. I'm not kidding. And I'm not new at this. I get around that by first rolling the back tire up on a piece of wood to provide more ground clearance for the stand to make contact. Rolls right on that way with no strain.

I have the Rivco stand, and I find it difficult. I have a homemade rear carrier that has a place on it to grab and get some extra leverage, but it's still hard. Never had any trouble with all the other bikes I've had in the past.

same with me-Have never had the problem in the past. May have to include a piece of 4x2 in the luggage gear or start looking on the net for steroids!!!!!!

Thanks all for replying! Seems I'm not the only one struggling then. That piece of wood trick have yet to be tried but sounds easy enough. Oh well, practice time...

The hard press down with your foot on the center/centre (centaur?) stand is key. You can view this two ways:

1. you're doing a modified squat-type lift while swinging your hindquarters backward and taking the bike with you, or;

2. you're doing an overhead throw (judo) move where you're using a combination of the bike's weight and dropping your own center of gravity slightly to help throw it.

It's certainly a good idea to have a friend or two steady the bike as you practice the first few times.

Hope this helps!

Grab my Low Profile fender rack with a gloved right hand and just haul it up onto my Rivco stand. Works fine for me and that's with two prosthetic knees.

Maybe that is my problem as I do not have anything really to grab onto!

My Rivco stand came with a nylon strap to assist. As I grew up using center stands, I didn't believe I needed it (or that it would work) until I tried it. Loop the strap through the exposed black frame tubing in the middle of the side of the bike and back through itself. Then loop it over your right wrist. Put your right boot (you do wear boots, right?) on the centerstand extension, left hand wherever you want to stabilize the bike. In a single motion push down hard with your boot, keeping your back as straight as possible pull on the strap by rocking you whole body (don't just pull with your arm) while trying to keep your back fairly straight. It pops right up for me.