Blowing in the wind - the need for a revised kickstand

Journeyman

"And this one is just right" ~ Goldilocks
Joined
Aug 13, 2017
Messages
2,512
Location
Old Fort, NC 28762 USA
Ride
2020 3R
I'm sure I'm not the only one who does not like this long kickstand. Any surface even slightly less than horizontal that slopes down to the right rules out a potential parking spot. What's more concerning to me is that even on a modest slope the other way a good gust of wind could potentially send these bikes right over. I've worried about the Roadster blowing over on especially windy days, but this bike (lighter/more upright) almost needs an anchor with the current configuration.

What's the kickstand made of (aluminum?)? A magnet has no attraction. If steel I'd just get someone to chop an inch or so off the bottom and weld on another foot, but not sure what can be done with this other than a custom made replacement. Anyone have any ideas? @Lamonster ?





#1 Part Number: T2082353 $105.48
 
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I have the same issue. My gate at the shop slopes the wrong way and there is no way I trust the bike will not blow over. A new custom kickstand is in order, I just haven't got around to making one yet.
 
idk said:
If the slope is down to the left then put a block of wood under the stand.

If it sloping down to the right then remove the block of wood.

and put it under the back tyre.
Click to expand...
I hadn't thought about putting a block under the tire on the right side. I'll have to give that a try.
 
idk said:
If the slope is down to the left then put a block of wood under the stand.

If it sloping down to the right then remove the block of wood.

and put it under the back tyre.
Click to expand...
You'd almost have to be on a cliff to need a block on the left. The bike very nearly sits up straight (slight exaggeration) when on level ground. If it slopes right I would not attempt to park there at all. The older Rockets lean waaaay over compared to these.
 
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Seems like the kick stand is cast aluminum. I wonder if it could be heated up and bent slightly. I don't think it would take much. Just a 1/4" would make a difference.
 
I bought a kickstand pad for the Rocket. It's .025 inch high. That was too high for the Rocket to sit as it's upright and a lean/brush against it would cause it to topple. I used the pad one time. Pretty sad. I always thought a minor earthquake would cause it to fall over so I always turn the bars as far left to lean it over. California can fall into the ocean from a quake but from west of the Sierra Foothills only . I will then have ocean front property.
 

#1 Part Number: T2082353 $105.48
I don't weld, but sounds like a potentially tricky project even for some experienced welders (challenge?).

How To Weld Cast Aluminum

Most welders dislike working with aluminum because of the unique challenges it presents. The techniques and processes used are significantly more demanding than steel. Failure to follow these protocols can result in destroyed materials and
arcandanvil.com

Aluminum Workshop: The truth about welding aluminum castings

Q: A group of friends and I were talking the other day. Some people said that all aluminum castings are weldable. Others took the extreme opposite position
www.thefabricator.com

Someone with mad geometry skills could predict the change in lean angle exactly, but thinking just 1/2" to 1" at most cut from the length would do the trick.
 

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I think it will not fall down I will tell you why,
I got this big puncture in motorcycle Rear Tire when it was at just 1500km on odometer, I was in group ride and tire picked it up somewhere on the way back. After we all returned from group ride we all parked our motorcycles and walked to near by food joint, until then I did not that I had a flat tire because it was not leaking that bad.

After we came from food joint the tire completely deflated, I tried to move the motorcycle and it was too heavy to move so I thought something wrong with gear clutch, I came off motorcycle and put it on kickstand and saw flat tire and I saw that motorcycle was standing straight like almost 90 degress with a flat tire, it might have fallen for any number of reasons but it didnt (it wasnt windy that night) but I am sharing that it didnt fall by itself when I had flat tire and it was parked by itself in a busy public parking area.

I had same concern that kickstand is too high so I thought about cutting the kickstand 1 inch from bottom but I think its alright and I didnt do it.
 
The rear flat tire actually makes it harder to push over. It will *nearly* stand by itself when flat.

These bikes don't have a lot of room for air to go "through" the bike like other motorcycles- too much motor. So, they can act like a sail. Next time you're on level ground see how much force it takes to push your bike so the stand starts to lift. You may be surprised how little that is.
 
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