Using centre or side stand with rack and panniers

[rogereld]

I am thinking of fitting a rack and panniers to my 1959 A10 Golden Flash (S/A frame). If I fit panniers I am assuming I will make the bike heavier and may not have the lifting handle or mudguard stay to hold on to. I am fairly light weight 65kg and am wondering if I will struggle to get the bike on and off the centre stand with luggage loaded.

I have the brazed lug on the frame but do not have a side stand. If I can find a suitable side stand, will this be safe to use with panniers fitted and will it make parking easier?

[chaz]

on my chops there are no centre stands due to lower height, the sidestands are iffy and lean over too far.
many people from young to old have problems getting the bikes on centre stands, its usually in the method. Ive a customer with a modern Triumph trophy 900, never uses the centre stand as its heavy and with panniers on difficult, when I service it the centre stand is safest but a ba$tard to lift up, I take 5 or 6 attempts, sometimes after cllecting I try again next day.

as long as you can get the nack, the panniers are not in the way, the rack should not be a problem its better and safer to use centre stand , also permanently parking on side stands pressurise fork seals especially on heavier bikes, my 1980's Harley had Yamaha 600 forks and every year failed MOT on weeping fork seals. after rebuilding for the third time and using a suspension technician we came to the conclusion the best thing was to park it more upright so a block of wood was utilised in the garage.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

On both my wife's plunger A10 and my A65 the side stand is used the most.  Even when not loaded the centre stands are not easy to use.  Panniers and camping gear make it far more difficult.  The only time the bikes are on centre stands is when under going maintenance or on a ferry but even then some ferries insist on side stands.  The angle of lean when on the side stand has never proven to be a problem unless there is a slope on the ground.  If too much lean on flat ground the curve of the leg of the stand can be altered to make it better but I have found that the wear in the pivot is often the culprit.  Packing out with washers to take up the slack can help otherwise it may be necessary to re-size the holes in the stand and pivot lug to take a slightly bigger bolt/pin.

Dave.

[DAVE BRADY]

Just an addition to my previous post.  There was a very interesting and useful article in The Star about fitting a lever to assist using the centre stand on an A10.  I am not sure which one but not that long ago.

Dave.

[EDDIE SIMPSON]

i used a later tri/bsa oil in frame longer sidestand on my plunger with excellent result. rarely used the centrestand.
but they are expensive  to buy.
i wouldnt trust a cast sidestand on a swinging arm with luggage. the lean angle is too stressed.