Stands.

[MGI]

I used to ride a B31 many years ago (1966 actually) and have always considered it one of the best handling machines I ever had. I now ride a similar bike but am experiencing major problems with it (them) which I have no recollection of all those years ago. I have solved the first problem by biting the bullet and purchasing an electric start kit. The second problem is currently active and well recognised by geriatric riders of these machines...to wit, the herculean strength required to get the things onto the centre stand. I know that back in the day the difficulty of employing the centre stand was recorded in print by several journalistic testers but I must have been up to it, as well as kicking them over with no problems. I have inspected my centre stand in some detail in an effort to invent a modification to ease the task, but it occurred to me that finer brain power than I command may well have come up with a crib already hence my post. Does anyone have knowledge of some form of modification to the centre stand which eases this problem. Initially I obtained another lifting bracket and fitted it to the opposite side brackets in the vain hope that I could somehow position myself to the rear of the bike and have the benefit od two lifting brackets to pull back on. Not feasible although useful if a second person is around to assist!

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

I think we are all now suffering from this poor design.  There was a very interesting modification/adaptation in an article in The Star on an A10.  If you are a BSAOC member go through your back issues or access it on the Members Area of the BSAOC website.  It looked relatively simple to do and seemed to be very affective.
If in the garage you could roll your back wheel on to a piece of wood perhaps 1.5" thick.  This will allow the stand to drop down further before pulling the bike back.  I also use a wide strap so that I do not have to bend down to try and lift/pull the bike up/back.

Dave.

[MGI]

Thank you Dave, I am on the case, I am a BSAOC member although a fairly recent one (about 3 years) if the article is more than 3 years old I will attempt to locate it via the website. The tip re the wooden plank is also appreciated!

[B Murphy]

I used to ride a B31 many years ago (1966 actually) and have always considered it one of the best handling machines I ever had.

I agree MGI, I'm recently new to the B models, mine is a 1950 B31. It really does handle the road very good, wish I had a B model years ago it would have prevented me wasting my money on the rubbish I've had over the last 40 years.

Regards
Bob

[Rog1]

I'm quite strong but my centre stand is still not easy to use. It was discussed in this thread:
https://www.bsaownersclub.co.uk/bsaoc_forum/index.php?topic=8733.msg45007#msg45007

A side stand might be of help for those times where you have to get off the bike, open the garden gate, wheel the bike through, then go back to close the gate. With a side stand that's two times you don't have to put the bike on the centre stand, and two more times when you come home again.

[Phil C]

I got a piece of wood about an inch thick, but I put it under the front wheel, not the back. Didn't seem to make it much easier, if any . Don't ask why I put it under the front rather than the back - I don't know. I look forward to trying it under the back wheel. Seems to me a ridiculous design, and I'm surprised it wasn't addressed by BSA. Maybe people were stronger then, or more used to hardship, or just uncomplaining. But it's not just the huge effort required that bothers me: it's also that when the bike at last rolls over onto the stand it's with such a crash that I worry it might cause some damage, break a casing seal or even crack a casing.  Phil

[courtney]

I agree with you Phil regarding the crash. My C15 does the same. There's no finesse with it.

[Group Leader]

Being short of stature and owning an AJS heavyweight single (as well as my little Beeza!) I struggled to get it on the centre stand when  I first got it 3 years ago on my return to biking after a 40+year gap.

Somewhere in the immense wealth of information on the Jampot site I found a note as to how the AMC factory riders put the bikes on the centre stand which was certainly new to me but I find works a treat.   The method relies on there being a handle on the mudguard behind the seat - I presume BSA's  have a similar facility?

So: 

1) Right hand holding the mudguard handle
2) Left hand cupped under the edge of the seat close to the tank
3) LEFT FOOT on the centre stand
4) Right foot somewhere near the rear axle
5) Lift with the right hand whilst pulling backwards with the left hand
6) et voila! Even the vertically challanged can get the bike on the stand.

It works because you are lifting vertically close to your body, with the weight being taken by both feet to get the stand over-centre, rather than trying to drag the whole bike backwards whilst it climbs itself over the stand. 

A bonus of not pulling on the handlebar with the left hand in the conventional manner is that the handlebar grip can''t come off in your hand so the now free and unsupported bike can't fall over all by itself.  Ask me how I know .....

Give it a go and let us know how you get on.

Alan

[Phil C]

Thanks, Group Leader. I don't know about other BSAs but I don't think mine has such a facility. Over.

[Blackthou]

I haven't got a handle either. As it's relatively a light bike I almost find I'm picking the rear end up and kicking the stand under simultaneously. As Phil said, there's nothing graceful about it.

[DAVE BRADY]

For a lifting handle, substitute the top suspension bolt for a rear footrest.  Folds down when not needed and is strong enough to lift the bike.

Dave.

[Jim S]

For getting my B33 up on the centre stand at home, I have made a small ramp. About 1 ft wide, 3.5 in high at one end and at floor level at the other.
Push the front wheel up the ramp, put on the front brake, push down the centre stand with your foot, grab the rear hand rail and pull back. The bike goes up on the centre no sweat!
I still need my wife to help me get it off the stand however.

[courtney]

Would putting a bit of wood under the centre stand help getting it off? I found that the legs of the stand are too short to be able to easily push the stand back and being able to tilt the bike forward assists this.

[Phil C]

Rear hand rail, you say. Sadly, I don't have one. General opinion seems to be that something at the back to grab and lift is very useful. I like the idea of a footrest at the suspension bolt point. Phil

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Getting a bike off the centre stand should be easier but if the stops are worn then the stand angles too far forward or is it back, so more effort is needed to lift it over centre. Repair to the stops will be needed but best done with a bare frame unless just the stand can be done.  Usually part of the original stop can be seen so there is something to aim for.
An indicator of knackered stops is if both tyres touch the ground or there is little 'rockability' between front tyre touching to rear tyre touching.  Part of the role of the centre stand was to facilitate removal of the wheels (one at a time) so a bit of clearance between tyre and road is needed.

Dave.