K1100LT centre stand and side stand issues.

[BlueK11LT]

I have never been happy with both of the stands on my 1997 89000 mile K1100LT.
When parked on level,flat ground on the centre stand there is only about an inch or less of clearance between the rear tyre and the ground, (much less than every other bike ive owned) and it does not take any piece of ground where I park the bike to deviate much from flat and level for both tyres to be grounded.
Also when parked on the side stand the bike leans over at an angle far much more than iam comfortable with.
Anyone else have these problems? is it common with K bikes?

[Laitch]

Anyone else have these problems? is it common with K bikes?

Do these problems stem from unhappiness? Is unhappiness common with K-bikes?  From what I've observed, my bike seems to have accepted its state of being. It seems neither happy nor unhappy; I'm going along with its system.

The higher the bike rides from the ground on the center stand, the more heave-ho it will take to get it there. What has resulted in these bikes is probably a geometric compromise to accommodate body types from hairy thunderer to hipster muffin that are trying to lever the weight.  I like the side stand's lean angle. It's foreboding but it's difficult to overcome the triangle it makes with the road to make it drop unless the side stand's parts have deteriorated into junk and that could happen to any bike. At least with ours they wont fall as far.
 :giggles

[Martin]

Side stand angles can be changed. Sometimes there is too much slop at the pivot, which needs to be fixed. The other alternative is to bolt a thicker foot onto the existing foot. Ice hockey pucks are one of the solutions as are slices of rubber boat trailer rollers or anything else you imagine can do the job. A bigger surface area also allows the stand to work better on softer surfaces. Work out how thick you need it but placing pieces of wood under the stand until you are happy with the angle ( warning don't reduce it too much). Then cut out a piece of your selected packer and tape it to your foot making sure you have clearance on your exhaust and centre stand and mark it. You will need to drill counter sunk holes into your packer to allow the bolts clearance from the road. Some bikes also need you to drill the existing foot to except the mounting bolts two holes is enough. I  used a slice of boat roller on mine purchased from our dump recycle for $1.00.
Regards Martin.

[Elipten]

Yep I use a hockey puck.

My K75 has leaned over more than any other bike I have experience and it was that way when new 27 years ago.


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[The Mighty Gryphon]

Yeah, they lean a lot on the side stand, but I have found that all that lean makes it easier to swing a leg over the seat when getting on or off.

[Martin]

The lean angle is even further exaggerated to the point of scary. This is because of the road camber and the fact that we drive on the opposite side of the road. I'm still thinking of putting a side stand on the right hand side as well.
Regards Martin.

[BlueK11LT]

Thanks all - Looks like I might try some of the modifications to the side stand.
As far as the centre stand issue is concerned ive googled a few images of the K1100LT and every one of them seems to be sitting with both tyres almost touching the ground,so I guess mine is the norm then

[Martin]

Boat roller lift and post cap for soft ground. Cap has various uses water dish, dog bowl, small parts container when working on grass.
Regards Martin.

[blackie1]

i have discarded the side stand completely and have been at the mercy of only a centre stand for about the past 3 years.
 in that period only perhaps twice have i been caught out and have had to actively search out a flat surface to park safely on.
having owned  an R80 many years ago I actually prefer my bikes to sit level when I am not on them

[Sinky]

I will never use /trust the side stand again. My bike fell over yesterday :(
ALWAYS CENTER STAND NOW.

[Laitch]

Cap has various uses water dish, dog bowl, small parts . . .

Alms tray would be another likely use. Don't forget to carry a scrap of cardboard and a Sharpie for a sign—Will work for parts.

[bizzaro]

Having an inseam of 29 inches, I use the side stand to mount and dismount my bike.  That being said, I always "park" it on the center stand. I put it up after dismounting using the side stand, and I take it off the center stand and put it on the side stand to mount.  Makes it much easier for me.  The lean angle hasn't been a problem, but the side stand not locking in position when extended and weighted has.  It has folded over with just a little forward motion a couple of times, both laden and unladen. Embarrassing.

[Elipten]

When using side stand, leave bike in 1st gear to prevent rolling.


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[Martin]

Thanks Laitch I am currently using it as a donation tray. I am juggling old shocks and brake discs, working my way up to flaming fuel pumps.
I did try singing but everybody either threw rocks ( none worth anything) or ran away clutching their hands over there ears. Police eventually arrived and tasered me into stopping. As a byproduct of the tasering my singing did improve I can now hit higher notes.  :dunno :musicboohoo:
Regards Martin.

[aces59]

I bolted a 1/2" piece of aluminium to mine - probably overkill but it worked. I noticed a lot of slop in the joint - which doesn't help - also they tend to bend. Just in the process of fitting another and I have strengthened it with an 8" length of 1" angle welded along it. Should stiffen its resolve :-)
Steve

[Laitch]

I bolted a 1/2" piece of aluminium to mine . . .

Please post a photo of your handiwork on the stand.

[aces59]

Hmm - struggling with posting pictures - Maybe this time!!
Steve

[bmwpyro]

hope this helps...

[aces59]

Thanks - I think that's what I have done. Can people see the attachments I uploaded?

[Martin]

No. :dunno

[aces59]

Oh Poo.
On my view of the thread it shows 4 or 5 attachments- which I assume are the pictures and you click on them to see them
Steve

[Laitch]

Oh Poo.
On my view of the thread it shows 4 or 5 attachments- which I assume are the pictures and you click on them to see them
Steve

That's not how it works. If you upload them correctly with the attachments and other options feature below the Post box, they will appear at the end of the text when posted, not Previewed. Each attachment in the list in your post shows 0kB content. That means there is nothing in them.

[aces59]

Hmm  OK - I'm at work but here's a couple of pictures of the supposed K1100 stand assy

[aces59]

test

[aces59]

Hmm - Test worked but couldn't see it on preview. Post above was the Aluminium piece bolted to the sidestand base. Below should be pictures of the strengthened sidestand:-