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Featherbed centre stand

Submitted by john_evans1 on Tue, 29/12/2015
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My m50 does not lift fully off the floor when on its centre stand. I have checked the frame rails for sign of crush damage but they are fine. The feet are good and the stand not bent yet it just about supports the bike on level ground. Sadly the side stand is missing.

Does anyone know how far off the ground the stand should lift the bike?

Ps.i have not removed the bolts from the srand to check for ovality but pulling and pushing does not produce significant movement.

If anyone knows of a side stand I would be interested. Thank you.

Submitted by barry_carson on Tue, 29/12/2015

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Hi dont know any measurments just wondering if your rear shockers are the correct length. meaning if they were on the long side there would be less ground clearance if any. just a thought Baz

Submitted by jonathan_soons on Tue, 29/12/2015

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The bottom of the frame gets bashed in and you lose some lift. This happens less on the slimline which is reinforced but it still happens. Try adding two small squares of 16 gauge steel between the stand and the frame. If that gives you the right height then consider making them permanent.

Submitted by john_evans1 on Wed, 30/12/2015

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Thanks for the replies..yes the shocks are correct.circa 11.9. As for placing metal between stand and frame,do you mean between the stand stop and frame?

I considered welding a piece to the stand but do not want to adulterate the stand if there is a better way.

Submitted by richard_norris on Wed, 30/12/2015

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Worth checking the centre stand bolts and eyes for wear. I replaced my bolts without much difficulty but the inner chain case needs to come off to fit a new stand on my bike. In that case you could fit a prop stand as well although the expense mounts up.

Submitted by david_cooper on Wed, 30/12/2015

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Do you have larger than 3" section front tyre?As Richard indicates. Fitting a prop stand is an engine out job to get it behind the engine plate.Some owners weld flats under the feet of the centre stand.

Submitted by john_evans1 on Wed, 30/12/2015

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Not too sure about the tyre size.I think it is 3.00 but will check tomorrow. I know they are mitas,not that it matters.

Fairly certain the stand boss is ok. The stand feels secure,just does not lift the wheel clear of the ground and has to be helped off the stand after parking up.

I have seen side stands advertised for £100 plus which seems insane,no doubt a rare item? The answer may be a non standard rear prop stand pivoting from the axle and doubling as a wheel spacer. I can make one of those and it will not permanently alter the originality.

Submitted by john_oldridge on Wed, 30/12/2015

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Hi John

My model 50 (slimline) stand has some curved metal welded to the bottom, I guess a previous owner had problems, and now the height is about perfect, both wheels 'just' touching on level ground. If I want to remove any wheel I normally put a piece of 12mm ply on my workshop floor, it then raises the front wheel slightly.I normally use the side stand when out and about! See photo if I manage to load it

Regards John O

Attachments centre%20stand%20001.JPG

Submitted by david_cooper on Thu, 31/12/2015

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On my featherbed, the height off the floor of the bottom of the frame rails just in front of the centre stand is 7 + 5/8". Both tyres touch the ground.Re: side stands: I bought a new old stock one about 8 years ago from one of the dealers and it cost me about £75 or thereabouts. (I can't find a note in my log book...). If the one you have seen is as well made as the original then maybe the price isn't too far out. They are quite chunky items with a bit of machining - a lot more to manufacture than, say, a gear lever.Mine sat in a box for several years until I took the engine out for another reason. I could't find a way to fit it before that.You could perhaps fit some scrap thin steel strip to the frame tube under the existing reinforcing pieces using Jubilee clips so that the lug on the centre stand stops the stand a bit sooner. Not very tidy but also not very visible.The other 'worst case' is if the front forks have been knocked back in the past. That can also make the frond mudguard hit the frame on full bounce. I have seen one or two bikes suffering from this.RegardsDavid

Submitted by john_evans1 on Thu, 31/12/2015

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John and David,thanks to you both.

The measurements are ideal and seem similar to mine. I just feel uncomfortable with both wheels touching the floor as the bike is not as stable as it could be. Memory is a funny tbing but I felt sure my wideline version stood with a wheel off the floor when on its stand hence my concern. I do not trust the stand so will seek an alternative solution.

I. Am exploring my suggestion of fabricating a rear prop stand.I have a lathe,mill and welding gear so should be abke to do so without too much trouble.

I doubt I will be paying 100 plus for a stand until I know if the bike is staying. I still have tbe tank to reseal and test.

Submitted by ian_hay on Fri, 08/01/2016

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Previously David Cooper wrote:

Do you have larger than 3" section front tyre? As Richard indicates. Fitting a prop stand is an engine out job to get it behind the engine plate. Some owners weld flats under the feet of the centre stand.

Prop stands are indecently expensive if you can find a complete one, those offered on ebay I feel are repro' and always seem to be incomplete , in that they lack the rear half which goes round the back of the frame tube.

And no you need not take the engine out, I fitted one to a friends 88 last year, the bike was on a bench and it took about half an hour and it was the genuine article not a repro'.

Regards, Ian.

Submitted by robert_tuck on Fri, 08/01/2016

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Stand feet do wear away. I cut up some car disc pads and arc welded them onto the feet . Trimmed them up with an angle grinder. My first attempt at welding .That was 15 years ago ,worked out fine.

Submitted by john_evans1 on Fri, 08/01/2016

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No progress on the bike as I am laid low by the lurgy. I know I can extend the feet but they do not look very worn. Brake pad material is an unusual donor but why not? Was it cur up with friction material still in place? Non slip stand in effect!

The new fuel tap has now arrived from the ckub spares scheme.It appears there was a delay due to stock taking. Next job is to decide on the tank sealant and get some acetone to strip the old sealant.

It appears this machine was one of a batch sent to Kuala Lumper in the 60's. It would be interesting to know why it came back. It us a heck of a journey and not cheap hence someone must have loved it.

 


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