centre stand solutions?

A tip I learnt when I had an A10 was not to try to lift the bike onto the stand but to pull it backwards, holding the stand in place with your foot. It works fairly well for my plunger ES2 but I'm still going to make / fit a prop stand!

Previously john_day wrote:

es2 is up and running [8o miles including Kirkstone pass]

But what a nightmare lifting it on to the centre stand......I do need a decent centre stand to use on the hydraulic lifting bench.

where can I get one, or can I modify the existing stand?

or is there another bike with a stand that can be modified? I am not after originality, just want to prevent a bad back

it is a 1956 [pre featherbed frame]

many thanks

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Good morning John,

I use a manual scissor lift (similar to this, see link) for all my bikes, (Norton's & other marques). I have yet to find a motorcycle application where this mini-manual lift has failed to assist me on my hydraulic bench and in fact elsewhere in the workshop:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/173391956641?clk_rvr_id=1590554256577&vectorid=229508&lgeo=1&item=173391956641&rmvSB=true

My scissor lift is flat on both sides (itâs like a monster 'lab-jack') very close to this model:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1100lbs-Wide-Desk-Motorcycle-Scissor-Lift-Jack-Hoist-Stand-ATVs/263736069190?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3Dbaf8f51a3df14bc78c14e06d646821e9%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D18%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D173391956641%26itm%3D263736069190&_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726

and I have replaced the thin rubber which was on both platform top & bottom with an industrial quality material.

Easy to use, and with appropriate wooden blocks & safety ratchet straps, I can remove both wheels if necessary.

Trust this assists.

Rgds Steve

John - If you don't object to the appearance ( and I wouldn't blame you if you did ) perhaps a foot pedal on the center stand could be engineered and welded up . The one on my Honda ST allowes me to put it on the center stand by myself on a hard level surface - it works in conjunction with a fold out hand grip below the saddle and this bike weighs 725 pounds with fuel .

see photo. Richard

John - as a further suggestion perhaps you might start with a weldment that clamps on to one leg of your centerstand. Given that the stand is cast this would solve the welding issues and also allow you to experiment with shape , length , location etc until satisfied. A complete new stand of all welded construction could then be made up using original as a model . If you need further pics or dimensions from my Honda I will be happy to post them.

Cheers Richard

I have the same problem, John. At 5'7" and 11 stone plus a dodgy back I find it difficult but not impossible. I found that the trick was to hold the rear lifting handle with your right hand, push the stand down with your left foot, step towards the rear of the bike and grab the lifting handle with your left hand (you've now got two hands on the handle), feel the balance of the bike (ie it's resting on the two legs of the stand), then straighten your back whilst pressing down with your left foot against the stand and heave-ho up she comes. I don't go near the handle bars.

George