Advice needed for shortening GSA centre stand

[biking photographer]

I have been riding 1150 GSA's with OE suspension for the last 7 years without the height being too much of a problem. I am using the lower seat, and by simply sliding off the side of the bike I can get a foot down in town despite my 29" inside leg. Well, it would appear that I am getting older, and I am starting to get problems with my hip joints, especially in my left leg, which is the most useful when approaching stationary. I thought it was time to change the bike for an RT or something similar, but nothing else compares, or lights my candle in the same way. I still love the bike, and I cannot see myself changing it until old age finally makes me change it for something lighter, but I am hoping that won't be any time soon! So I have ordered a set of Wilbers, 2 inches lower than the stock OE suspension, to be fitted by Revs next Friday. They said they will shorten the side stand accordingly, but will not touch the centre stand, and suggested I stop using it. I guess it is not essential, but it seems a fairly straight forward job to me. I work next door to a metal fabricators, so I was going to ask the guys to chop 2 inches from the stand legs below the stand crossbar and reweld the feet. Is it that simple, or am I just being naive? Having read the thread in the Search facility, I am going to get the stand sleeved so it should be stronger. Has anybody done the same 2" reducing mod on their 1150GSA centre stand? Your advice would be appreciated, thanks, Jonathan.

 

[Fanum]

SNIPPED but will not touch the centre stand, and suggested I stop using it. I guess it is not essential, but it seems a fairly straight forward job to me. I work next door to a metal fabricators, so I was going to ask the guys to chop 2 inches from the stand legs below the stand crossbar and reweld the feet. Is it that simple, or am I just being naive? Having read the thread in the Search facility, I am going to get the stand sleeved so it should be stronger. Has anybody done the same 2" reducing mod on their 1150GSA centre stand? Your advice would be appreciated, thanks, Jonathan.

Seems fair enough to me......as long as any adjustments are done blow the springs and their 'cam' like effect (as you say, under the cross piece is fine), I can't see it being a problem.

It's probably wise to do as well......boxers smoke a bit after being on the sidestand, so there is oil getting to where oil shouldn't be. (whether that's dangerous in the long term is, I guess, debateable, but the very fact that they smoke would be enough for me to make sure I use the Centre Stand)

Your other option is to put a paving slab down and park the bike with the front or rear wheel on that....it'll have the same effect in terms of making the stand easier to operate, but of course you can't carry a paving slab around with you to use elsewhere

It might also be worth adding a handle like this

That one is a Wunderlich jobby, but there are many that are generic and a LOT cheaper, and make getting a bike onto the CS a lot easier (K bikes come with them, and when I've had a sore ankle after a sprain or something, it is a great device)

I think you're bang on about making certain you strengthen the adjustment....it may not be entirely necessary, but it's far better to OVER ENGINEER than run any risks of something snapping or wearing

Good luck with it, and post pics......I'm sure you're not the only one who would find it a useful mod

 

[biking photographer]

Thanks Fanum, I have never had a problem lifting the bike on to the centre stand, just with the weight of the bike when loaded and "landing a foot" to become stationary. Sometimes it can be difficult to judge, and if just slightly off camber puts a lot of weight on my leg/ hip. Hopefully the shortened shocks will address this issue. I will post photographs as we go along!

 

[enabb]

I lowered my GSA by fitting ohlins from a 1150GS.....also fitted the centre stand..kept everything easy....for my 29" legs..

I've got a 1150GS centre stand in the shed ( 20quid would buy it ) but think postage would kill any saving....

 

[Fanum]

Thanks Fanum, I have never had a problem lifting the bike on to the centre stand, just with the weight of the bike when loaded and "landing a foot" to become stationary. Sometimes it can be difficult to judge, and if just slightly off camber puts a lot of weight on my leg/ hip. Hopefully the shortened shocks will address this issue. I will post photographs as we go along!

I'd be inclined to NOT shorten the sidestand until you've tried it out with the shorter shocks.

The GSA sidestand is pretty short already......I have welded a 2 inch extension ON to mine to avoid too much lean on dodgy cambers.....the few times I've found it too upright are easy enough to deal with by changing the angle I park at etc.

You may not have had a problem lifting it onto the centre stand before, but shorter shocks make a HUGE difference in the amount of force you have to lay down to lift the whole bike over the centre of the arc, IYSWIM*......I reckon you'll find the CS adjustment far more beneficial than the side one.

*When the centre stand is as normal, you don't have to apply much force UPWARDS, it's mostly a pull BACKWARDS with a small amount of lift.....with a short stand, you're having to lift the whole weight of the bike, albeit with the leverage benefit, as well as the backwards input.

Hard to explain without doing geometrical drawings and the formulae to demonstrate it is beyond my ken, but you can demonstrate and experience it if you feel the difference it makes when parking with one wheel in a dip/pothole against parking with one wheel on a wooden board

 

[biking photographer]

Thanks Fanum, of course I had not thought of the difference of effort required by using what is effectively a "much shorter lever",in the form of a shortened centre stand. When I got my first GSA, and not having had a centre stand for many years, I used to try lifting the bike (which required enough effort to make my eyes bulge!), but within a short time I had figured out to place all my weight on the centre stand footplate and lean back using the weight of my body as a lever to smoothly ease the bike onto its centre stand. I am hoping shortening it will not make it too difficult with this technique, but a handle would be the answer. I have tried the sidestand with a 2" block underneath, but it does seem a little too upright for my peace of mind, but I will not be sure until the suspension is fitted. I will make sure to mention this when I take the bike in for fitting the new shocks.

enabb I lowered my GSA by fitting ohlins from a 1150GS.....also fitted the centre stand..kept everything easy....for my 29" legs..

I've got a 1150GS centre stand in the shed ( 20quid would buy it ) but think postage would kill any saving....

Thanks Enabb, but the standard suspension is only 1" lower than the GSA I think, which would make the centre stand still too long- unless somebody out there has made this work?

 

[Steptoe]

I'd be inclined to NOT shorten the sidestand until you've tried it out with the shorter shocks.

Too right. The ADV sidestand is just about half an inch longer than the standard side stand.

 

[Bumfluff]

Do you have any plans for your old shocks?

Would you be interested in selling them at all? I have a 1150gs and would like a little more hight on mine lol.

 

[Flipfly]

Do you have any plans for your old shocks?

Would you be interested in selling them at all? I have a 1150gs and would like a little more hight on mine lol.

Bugger beat me to it

Rather than chop the original stand, why not do a swop that's what I'd offer, I'd even get mine powder coated so it looked like new for ya.

 

[biking photographer]

Sorry Fellas, I have not decided what to do with the original suspension yet, although I was probably going to keep them just in case the lowering does not go to plan, and I have to change the bike. Just being Mr Cautious at the moment!

 

[davegs]

Last stand

Do invest on a side handle, got these on both my 1200 & 1150 makes life sooo much easier especially with load of camping gear on board.

 

[Bumfluff]

Sorry Fellas, I have not decided what to do with the original suspension yet, although I was probably going to keep them just in case the lowering does not go to plan, and I have to change the bike. Just being Mr Cautious at the moment!

No prob, keep it in mind if you ever need some extra cash for a weekend away say

 

[Flipfly]

Sorry Fellas, I have not decided what to do with the original suspension yet, although I was probably going to keep them just in case the lowering does not go to plan, and I have to change the bike. Just being Mr Cautious at the moment!

Buy a used standard centre stand for 30-40 squid

 

[biking photographer]

Wilbers Day Friday! My commuter bike is also an air cooled twin with shaft drive, and I definately don't have any trouble reaching the ground. It makes the 5 mile trip to and from my studio very enjoyable- even a Virago 535 sounds good through open pipes!

 

[Madmountainman]

Do a swap with Sycomoto!

 

[Steptoe]

Do a swap with Sycomoto!

Not such a straightforward swop as it seems. As you'll find out if you ever have to do it.

 

[Madmountainman]

Not such a straightforward swop as it seems. As you'll find out if you ever have to do it.

I wouldn't know about that Neil, even the Adventure could do with being a bit taller for me.
It just appears that one person wants an 1150 stand and the other an Adventure one at roughly the same time. If it's not do-able, then the two people asking for them need to beware.