The centre stand (main stand) holds the bike upright with a wheel off the ground for service. It must be easy to use, hold the bike firmly and fold up tight so it does not scrape in corners. A stand that is hard to use is often just dry, bent, or used the wrong way.
Safety
- Support the bike on a jack or a strong block under the frame while you remove the stand or its springs. Keep feet clear.
- Springs store energy. Use a spring puller and keep your face away.
- A stand that scrapes the road in a corner can lift the rear tyre and cause a crash.
How to use a centre stand
Stand on the left. Hold the left handlebar and a solid part of the frame or grab rail (not the seat or a plastic panel). Put your right foot on the stand's foot tab and press down until both feet touch the ground. Then push down hard with your foot and pull the bike up and back. Your leg does the work, not your arms.
Steps
- With the bike on the stand on level ground, check it stands straight and both feet touch evenly. Rocking means bent legs or worn feet.
- Fold the stand up. It should snap firmly against its stop or rubber and not rattle. Push it down by hand: the springs should pull it back hard.
- Look at the springs, spring hooks and pegs. Look for cracks at the pivot brackets and on the legs.
- Feel for play at the pivot by moving the stand sideways.
- Support the bike, remove the springs, remove the pivot bolt or shaft. Clean, check for wear, grease, refit, and fit the springs.
- Replace a missing or torn stop rubber.
- If the stand scrapes only with a passenger or load, check the rear suspension height: Rear sits too low.
Check your work
- Bike goes onto the stand with one smooth push and stands level.
- Stand folds up tight, does not rattle, does not touch the road in normal riding.
If it did not fix the problem
- Bent legs or cracked bracket: fit a new stand, or see Crack in the frame or a bracket.