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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: jiggseob on October 19, 2024, 11:00:35 PM

Title: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: jiggseob on October 19, 2024, 11:00:35 PM
My within-the-last-year new to me K75 RT leans over way way too far for my comfort.  When on level pavement, the side-stand probably supports half the weight of the bike, and it leans very heavily on the stand.  The load on the stand is so heavy that it sinks in to anything but pavement.

Is my side stand supposed to be bent?  I two-up from time to time, and the shock spring preload is cranked up, I would rather leave it cranked up than fiddle with it each time I want to two-up.

Follows is the picture of my side stand, the red line highlights (and somewhat exaggerates) the bend in the tubing of the side stand.  With the side stand out, there is very little up-down wiggle at the end of the side stand, so the bushing / bolt do not appear to be worn.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on October 20, 2024, 12:02:29 AM
The load on the stand is so heavy that it sinks in to anything but pavement.
Is my side stand supposed to be bent?
The side stand is fabricated with the bend that you've marked in the photo. The RT is a heavy moto. If you don't put a pad (https://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/aaron%27s_garage/handy/motorcycle_gear/motorcycle_kickstand_coaster.html?srsltid=AfmBOorGD9QsoCzl6OKzFewKnOY8nGqfy8bZNRdBr28v_PPpwLiSJSr3)under the stand's foot, it will sink into the ground. I carry one in my tank bag for my Brick. All Bricks are supposed to lean on the side stand like that. For one thing, they're easier to mount at that angle. Also, try tipping it over when it's on the side stand; that's not likely to happen, but good core body strength does come in handy for raising it from that position if it's fully loaded.
 :laughing4-giggles:
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: frankenduck on October 20, 2024, 12:23:05 AM
As Laitch points out, all Ks lean quite a bit on the side stand and there's slight bend in it from the factory.

(https://www.motoricambiservice.com/files/motoricambiservice_files/foto/39519_442829__MG_6650.jpg)


Funny story: I once pulled my K75RT off to the left side of the road to take a pic. To keep it away from traffic I parked it on the side stand as close to the guardrail as I could. Some other riders rode by and since my bike was leaned so much so close to the guardrail that they thought I'd crashed into the guardrail. They pulled over and a couple of them came running back to help me. I thanked them for their concern, told them I was OK and that my bike just leaned a lot on the side stand.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Chaos on October 20, 2024, 12:41:23 PM
I kept a chunk of 1x6 on the garage floor where I parked the bike, made the lean more tolerable. And always parked with the LH side uphill, makes a big difference.  Urals lean a lot too :laughing1:
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on September 18, 2025, 04:49:45 PM
I am a new (used 1994 K75) owner and my bike leans so far over.  Cannot be normal.
The center stand doesn't lift the rear wheel off the ground enough to spin it.

It almost seems as though the suspension was altered or replaced with a taller suspension.

Seems like maybe th side stand or the frame part it mounts to is bent?
I know they are known for leaning, but mine is extreme
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Kaos on September 27, 2025, 01:32:55 AM
It almost seems as though the suspension was altered or replaced with a taller suspension.

Share a picture with us of the bike on the center stand and the rear shock.
It would have to be rather large shock.
I am working with a 420mm rear and my tyre doesnt touch the ground. (Barely, but still)
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on September 27, 2025, 11:07:15 AM
.  . . my tyre doesnt touch the ground. (Barely, but still)
"Chuckles in English"
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Kaos on September 28, 2025, 04:18:29 AM
"Chuckles in English"
:euro:
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Smudgemo on November 13, 2025, 11:17:38 AM
I am a new (used 1994 K75) owner and my bike leans so far over.  Cannot be normal.
The center stand doesn't lift the rear wheel off the ground enough to spin it.

It almost seems as though the suspension was altered or replaced with a taller suspension.

Seems like maybe th side stand or the frame part it mounts to is bent?
I know they are known for leaning, but mine is extreme

Mine is a '92 and was lowered by a PO - 15mm fork drop and 1.5" shorter shock.  The center stand was really hard to use, but I swapped out the shock for a correct length and pushed the fork tubes back down to stock position.  Now the center stand is easy to use but the tire touches the ground so it won't spin without a bit of effort.  I think it's probably okay and is most likely the tire or the shock being slightly larger/longer.

My issue is the side stand that seems like a shorty version.  Is that even a thing?  Prior owners were a woman and a shorter guy, so it wouldn't surprise me they did the conversion properly (except for the center stand.)

Maybe the lean isn't considered excessive by experienced owners, but the foot contacts the ground at an angle where only the outside edge is doing any work.  It also bangs the muffler when retracted as opposed to the rubber block.  I saw somewhere that normal length is something like 10 3/8" from the bolt to the base of the foot (don't quote me) and mine seems more like 9ish.  I was going to add an aluminum block to the foot, but that doesn't address hitting the muffler and adds weight to the wrong end.  I'm going to replace it and see what happens.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 13, 2026, 03:31:57 PM
I know everyone says that the K75 lean is normal, but sorry, mine is way leaned over.  To the point when it may fall over the stand.
Im wondering if my 95 K75 has been altered and the suspension is higher than normal.
When using my center stand, it will keep the bike balanced somewhat, but neither tire is off the ground.
How does one go about raising the suspension?  is it a longer shock/spring part?
I dont mind the seat height, but the current suspension makes the center stand almost useless.  And the side stand causes strange looks from everyone its so leaned over.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 13, 2026, 04:04:41 PM
I know everyone says that the K75 lean is normal, but sorry, mine is way leaned over.  To the point when it may fall over the stand.
You seem to have been considering this condition for at least 11 months, judging from your last post on this thread. Post photos of the Brick made at seat level while the moto is leaning onto its side stand—one photo from the front and one photo from the rear; otherwise, we cannot know if the lean is "way" over compared with any other K75.

With the Brick on the center stand, fully extend the side stand leg, grasp its foot then try to wiggle it up and down. Let us know what happens. Give us the size of the tires—front and rear. Post a photo of the rear shock so we can clearly see the entire length from eye to eye as close as you can get.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 13, 2026, 06:42:46 PM
Sorry about that.  I had a 4 month break from the K from Dec-Mar due to weather, then I left the K75 for a few months Apr-Jul and was away.  I tend to forget what I post.
I took the mentioned photos.  I tried to take appropriate photos showing the lean, but nothing in these photos shows the lean as it appears in real life.
It's a pain to lift it off the stand.  But I think the suspension may have been lifted via the shock/spring.
when on the center stand, I can move the side stand up and down about 2 inches.  There is definitely give, but not sure what's normal.

Tire sizes:
Front: 100/90 18
Rear: 130/90 17

Let me know if the pictures are ok.

Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Edward on August 13, 2026, 10:42:33 PM
Measure the stand tab against the slotted opening. Then carefully inspect the joint to see if the metal is cracked. If not, you can close the space a tad with a vise. And yes, the lean is just stupidly low and dangerous. These bikes are HEAVY. I mostly resort to using the center stand, hopefully without many stops per ride. It's hard on the knee and back. —I have steel putty to build up the bottom. That's next on the list.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Duckbubbles on August 14, 2026, 09:46:26 AM
That shock sure looks LOOOONG to me.  Considering that the center stand doesn't get the tire off the ground I would guess that the shock is the problem.  And it sure leans over on the side stand because of that.

Fank
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 09:51:28 AM
That shock sure looks LOOOONG to me.  Considering that the center stand doesn't get the tire off the ground I would guess that the shock is the problem.  And it sure leans over on the side stand because of that.

Fank

That's what Im thinking.  The only real component that can make it so tall would have to be the shock.  Im wondering if that shock is even supposed to be on this bike. Given the other things Ive fixed on this bike, I wouldn't be surprised if it's not even made for this bike.

Is there a measurement or some indicator on these shocks that determines stock vs expended shocks?
I see shocks on Ebay for reasonable prices and I'm tempted to order one.  But I also dont want to get a lower than stock suspension.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 10:40:45 AM
The shock is too long and it's not OEM. Remove it from the Brick and measure it from the center of one mounting eye to the center of the other mounting eye. It should measure approximately 350mm or 13.75". A popular basic shock for replacement is the YSS ECOLINE ME302-350T.

Before you do that, there is a silver colored adjuster at the top of the shock. Tell us what happens when you rotate it fully to the left.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 10:47:46 AM
Don't go ordering a shock from eBay unless it gives you the eye-to-eye length and indicates it is designed for a Brick of your Brick's vintage. A shock with too great a diameter will rub on the spring.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 11:30:27 AM
But I think the suspension may have been lifted via the shock/spring.
when on the center stand, I can move the side stand up and down about 2 inches.  There is definitely give, but not sure what's normal.
In your case, the suspension has not been lifted; the swing arm and wheel assembly seems to have been extended by a shock absorber that is too long.

Concerning the side stand: What's normal in an fully-extended side stand leg is not much play at all, but play increases with usage. The bolt that mounts the side stand fits into a bushing within holes in the side stand yoke. When the bushing wears, there is more play in the side stand leg. When it wears excessively, the bolt that attaches the leg may deform the mounting holes and cause even more slop.

As has been indicated by Edward, material can be added to build up the side stand foot. Some owners have installed lifts under the foot made of aluminum, steel, or other solid material. Verify that whatever is used, it does not contact the muffler. If the rubber stand bumper is in reasonably good condition and not wobbling in its mounting, when excess play is eliminated from the stand leg, it should nest into the bumper when lifted.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 11:46:22 AM
The shock is too long and it's not OEM. Remove it from the Brick and measure it from the center of one mounting eye to the center of the other mounting eye. It should measure approximately 350mm or 13.75". A popular basic shock for replacement is the YSS ECOLINE ME302-350T.

Before you do that, there is a silver colored adjuster at the top of the shock. Tell us what happens when you rotate it fully to the left.
I measured the shock from the center of the eye to eye.  Surprisingly it’s 13.75”
The shock spring preload is already at its lowest setting regarding the revolving part
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 12:01:54 PM
13.75" off the Brick?
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 12:08:10 PM
Yes.
I now have removed the side stand and am looking at the free play
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 12:09:55 PM
Yes I think this is my strategy now.  Addressing the free play.
And maybe adding a “lift” to the contact patch of the side stand.

In your case, the suspension has not been lifted; the swing arm and wheel assembly seems to have been extended by a shock absorber that is too long.

Concerning the side stand: What's normal in an fully-extended side stand leg is not much play at all, but play increases with usage. The bolt that mounts the side stand fits into a bushing within holes in the side stand yoke. When the bushing wears, there is more play in the side stand leg. When it wears excessively, the bolt that attaches the leg may deform the mounting holes and cause even more slop.

As has been indicated by Edward, material can be added to build up the side stand foot. Some owners have installed lifts under the foot made of aluminum, steel, or other solid material. Verify that whatever is used, it does not contact the muffler. If the rubber stand bumper is in reasonably good condition and not wobbling in its mounting, when excess play is eliminated from the stand leg, it should nest into the bumper when lifted.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 12:48:05 PM
I removed the side stand and tried closing the gap a little.  That helped some. 
Overall the free play in the side stand is about half what it was.
The bike is still leaned over a bit too much but I guess I’ll have to live with it unless there is a longer stand or some sort of foot to add.
Thanks for all your help.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 01:04:15 PM
Usually replacing the bushing and the bolt helps tighten the assembly.

As far as the rear shock is concerned: I was mistaken because according to you its measurement is correct.  How's the ride on that shock.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 01:13:43 PM
The ride seems fine.  I’m a bit surprised it’s stock length as the bike is a bit tall.  Not too tall for me but tall for what I thought of with a standard bike.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 01:40:46 PM
The seat height is 810mm, lower than an R1200GS unless the GS has lowered suspension, maybe. If "standard bike" means roadsters and retros as offered by Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki, it's taller for sure. It towers over most HDs. But many folks express the seat height is inconvenient sometimes. Maybe that's why it leans more than the others; that makes mounting easier if you're not using a footpeg to help.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 01:43:06 PM
I have a 1250GS and a 1250RT.  The k75 seat height is between the 2.
I like higher seats.  More comfortable for
My knees.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 02:07:17 PM
Is that a Givi top case platform on the cowl? If it is, how long has it been mounted on there?
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 03:07:09 PM
No it’s a SW Motech tail bag.  Mounted with straps
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 03:20:38 PM
I'm referring to the tail plate circled in this photo.
(https://motobrick.com/gallery/4/1601-140826151917.jpeg)
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 03:24:28 PM
Oh, I thought that was stock.  I’ll take a closer look
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 04:06:14 PM
I don’t see any names on the rack. I’ve always thought this was a stock top case rack.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 05:02:27 PM
This will explain it to you. (https://www.kbikeparts.com/classickbikes.com/ckb.tech/0.ckb.tech.files/givi.e180/givi.e180.htm)
This is one model of several cases Givi makes for it. It's good for clothes but don't put heavy stuff in it. It can crack the tail cowl. How you're using it is good enough.

(https://motobrick.com/gallery/4/1601-140826165939.png)
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 05:34:03 PM
I don’t really use the rack at all.  The tail bag sits on the passenger seat.  I haven’t really haven’t used it for much although I thought of bolting a Pelican case to it.  But not sure the weight capacity.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 05:56:36 PM
This will explain it to you. (https://www.kbikeparts.com/classickbikes.com/ckb.tech/0.ckb.tech.files/givi.e180/givi.e180.htm)
This is one model of several cases Givi makes for it. It's good for clothes but don't put heavy stuff in it. It can crack the tail cowl. How you're using it is good enough.

(https://motobrick.com/gallery/4/1601-140826165939.png)

What model is that case?  Maybe that’s a better option than a Pelican case.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 06:00:32 PM
It's a Dolomiti 30 liter.
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 06:05:58 PM
Seems pricey.  I’d probably lay just bolt one of my Pelican cases
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: Laitch on August 14, 2026, 06:18:40 PM
That's a more reasonably priced option, especially if it's free. :laughing1:
Title: Re: 1992 K75 leans way too far on side (kick) stand.
Post by: mrt6644 on August 14, 2026, 06:19:30 PM
yeah, I have many cases I could use.  But, they're not light.