BSA Goldstar 650 sidestand extender

[createscript]

Hi all,
I'm using my Goldstar 650 for touring and one issue that's been bugging me for some time is how damned short that side stand is. Now this shouldn't really matter that much un der normal circumstance but, loaded up with camping gear, kitchen sink etc. for a European trip, it doesn't feel so secure at such an angle especially as our drive has steep slopes on it and sometimes you just have to have the sidestand pointing downhill. So I've been looking for sidestand extenders. They range in price online from as little as £3.00 (hmmm, how good can that really be?) up to £80.00 (hmmm, and they're having a laugh!). Now, most of them frankly don't actually extend the sidestand very much at all (i.e. make the bike sit more upright), they're more like pre-fitted stand pads for soft ground. I could really do with the stand being up to an inch longer - I normally park it outside at home with a quarry tile under the stand to get the "uprightness" I need for loading luggage etc..
Can any GS650 owner offer suggestions based on their own experience of such things?

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Not a GS owner but I had a similar problem with an A65.  I needed about 1" so I welded some 1" od thick wall steel tube. If the GS stand has a flat foot then use some square section instead.  Lighter than a solid lump but strong enough.

Dave.

[limeyrob]

I had this on another bike. I got a 3" dia bit of 1" ply and cut a recess to fit the stand foot. Obviously you have to carry it about and get adept and dropping it in the right place, but you only take it when you expect to need it.