► Centre and side stands

[stephen.stallebrass]

In addition to the big end going on my F800GS, effectively ending my ride around Europe on the first fecking day, the second bane of the trip was the shitty side stand. I've lost count how many times it nearly went over when not on perfectly level ground. At least twice it nearly went over when lots of people were around and the excessive lean meant I couldn't use the pegs to get off, meaning I had to inelegantly shimmy off hopping to the side dragging my leg with me. And nearly taking the bike with me.

I have a Camel Toe thingy on the end, which is great at stopping sinkage but you have to lean the bike a little more just to get the damn stand down - doable but not easy when the ground is uneven and bike fully loaded. I use the the pegs to get off when I can but when on a slight camber this is impossible unless I recce a parking spot to ensure that it doesn't topple over. Is there an aftermarket side stand that solves this problem?

Will check the bolts when I get it home and definitely load up the right case with heavier items to counter the weight when on the side stand!

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

I suspected the bushings had gone so I decided to strip it down and have a look... but I can't get the nut off on the back it just goes round and round? Tried to turn the bolt using the Torx and a wrench and it turns but feels like the bolt might be bent. Will nip to BMW tomorrow and check out the side stand play and lean angle of the new models for comparison and then take mine into the garage to see what they say before taking it to BMW... but is it me or does it seem like it's leaning slightly too far? Anyway, I have a camel toe on ATM and when loaded up with luggage it tips over so their is something definitely not right.

 

[Greggers]

Mine's about the same - I think the side-stand itself is a bit bendy.

Does yours sit close to the swingarm when retracted? Mine doesn't, but I think it should!

Oh, and tightening the pivot bolt does fukall anyway... DAMHIK

G

 

[v8legend]

I suspected the bushings had gone so I decided to strip it down and have a look... but I can't get the nut off on the back it just goes round and round? Tried to turn the bolt using the Torx and a wrench and it turns but feels like the bolt might be bent. Will nip to BMW tomorrow and check out the side stand play and lean angle of the new models for comparison and then take mine into the garage to see what they say before taking it to BMW... but is it me or does it seem like it's leaning slightly too far? Anyway, I have a camel toe on ATM and when loaded up with luggage it tips over so their is something definitely not right.

There's a nut on the inside that holds the side stand cut-out switch in place. 8mm I think. The stand itself is held on by the torx bolt. However, you have to take the nut and switch off first otherwise you'll feck it up. When you take it off, there are 2 bushes in there, one of them bronze.

Looking at your pic, your bikes does seem to be leaning further than normal. Have you got the rear pre-load wound up?

If you search on here, you'll find a thread I started last year when my stand snapped on the ferry! Looking at pics from the previous years trip my bike was leaning further than my mates. Have a good look at your stand right at the top where the stand and spigot meet. That is where mine fractured, and had obviously been going for a while.

 

[v8legend]

Oh, and tightening the pivot bolt does fukall anyway... DAMHIK

G

Hi Greg, sorry to disagree.

There was a thread on here a couple of years back that told of loosening bolts. Tightening my side stand bolt got rid of some play (didn't stop it snapping mind), and tightening my gear shift lever made changes much better.

Play in the side stand (as opposed to lean) is most likely the 2 bushes. However, I suspect they wear quicker when the bolt isn't properly tightened.

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Does yours sit close to the swingarm when retracted? Mine doesn't, but I think it should!

Not as close as I suspect it should...

Looking at your pic, your bikes does seem to be leaning further than normal. Have you got the rear pre-load wound up?

I have, but I had the tipping problem before I wound the pre-load up.

 

[Dave Ett]

Not as close as I suspect it should...



I have, but I had the tipping problem before I wound the pre-load up.

Have you checked the bolts that hold the footpeg/sidestand plate to the frame? Watch the plate as you kick the sidestand up, if the bolts are slightly loose it'll move as the stand hits the endstop.

I have shortened springs on mine, and getting the stand down does involve quite some lean at times!

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Just seen a thread over at F800riders about custom sidestands by AKS Engineering called Side Kicker. They look like a great idea, have a look at the video of how it works...

The welded joint looks like it might be a considerable
weak spot though, especially when loaded, especially if
you use the pegs to get on or off?

They look like they're primarily for the R1200 models but they say they can do others too. They do seem quite expensive but they are unique and if they work they might it be a good mod to one of the F800GS' considerable weaknesses.

No welded joint... an improvement of the R1200 version

They're in the USA and they're customisation process seems problematic but maybe they have the F800GS solution already. I'm going to email them to see what they say...

 

[Greggers]

Hi Greg, sorry to disagree.

There was a thread on here a couple of years back that told of loosening bolts. Tightening my side stand bolt got rid of some play (didn't stop it snapping mind), and tightening my gear shift lever made changes much better.

Play in the side stand (as opposed to lean) is most likely the 2 bushes. However, I suspect they wear quicker when the bolt isn't properly tightened.

Holaaa... well, I tightened mine, it got rid of a little slop, but didn't solve the problem in the slightest - so if the bushes are fooked then no amount of tightening the nut will help... I'm still convinced my stand is bent too which just compounds the problem...

G

 

[v8legend]

Holaaa... well, I tightened mine, it got rid of a little slop, but didn't solve the problem in the slightest - so if the bushes are fooked then no amount of tightening the nut will help... I'm still convinced my stand is bent too which just compounds the problem...

G

Have a good look at the top of the stand, and check for cracks. Mine snapped on the ferry last year. Close inspection showed rust inside from where a crack had developed. It was only when looking back at photo's that I realised my bike lent over further than my mates.

If you've taken the stand off, you might have lost one of the bushes without realising. They're stupidly expensive for what they are, but still only a few quid.

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Finally got around to getting her in this week to get the side stand sorted out. They ended up replacing the lot:stand, plate, bushings, bolt, lock stock the fecking lot. Anyway it cost £230 all in but I did also get a new chain and sprockets for FREE on a campaign recall. Overall the service was great: friendly, quick and not too expensive so I'm very happy. The bike is standing at the correct angle now too. Thank you Balderstons, Peterborough.

 

[v8legend]

They ended up replacing the lot:stand, plate, bushings, bolt, lock stock the fecking lot. Anyway it cost £230 all in. The bike is standing at the correct angle now too. Thank you Balderstons, Peterborough.

£230 ouch.

Having rebuilt mine last year, I'm fairly sure you didn't need all those bits. I can't for the life of me work out why you needed a new plate.

Did you keep the old bits?

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

£230 ouch.

Having rebuilt mine last year, I'm fairly sure you didn't need all those bits. I can't for the life of me work out why you needed a new plate.

Did you keep the old bits?

Apparently the plate was bent too... it's standing at the correct angle now so I'm happy. I didn't keep the old parts, I know it's good practice to ask for them but I didn't think about it at the time. If I had any doubts I would have asked for them but I trust them and I have good reason to trust them, but that's another story. All the parts that were fitted look brand new so I know they were replaced. Plus, I got free chain & sprockets so I reckon I'm probably quids in! They even lubed up my footpeg springs, little did they know I fitted my new Pivot Pegz as soon as I got it home.