C15 Side stand

[Blackthou]

The side stand on my 1960 C15 seems a little on the short side to me. The bike leand over considerably - almost to 60 degrees. Is that normal or could a shorter one have been fitted? Seems strange especially as its pivot seems peened and not easily replaceable.

[JulianS]

The pivot should be a shouldered bolt with a lock washer. perhaps the wrong stand has been fitted.

Could you post a photo?

[AdrianS]

They do lean over a lot - more than I am comfortable with. I extended mine by cutting it and welding the ends in some steel tubing.

[Blackthou]

Hi Julian / Adrian

The stand only has a small pivot so no room for a shoulder bolt. As you say, it does lean over at an uncomfortable angle.

Hopefully picture attached.

[Greenfield]

Agreed, mine also leaned more than I was comfortable with and carried a block of wood with me to raise it. Eventually I extended the stand a couple of cms. I cut it about 1/4 up from the end, drilled and tapped it to fit a piece of threaded bar with a nut in the middle to lock it, then welded it up. The join is invisible and should be as strong as the original.
I find my centre stand also an issue and much more difficult to use than my heavier A50. I push my front wheel onto a 2" plank then pull it back on the stand which takes much less effort. I've also welded a piece of bar sideways to put my foot on to help roll the bike onto the stand.

[Blackthou]

Thanks @Greenfield,
Sounds like a good idea. Did it weld easily as it looks like a forging/casting? I know what you mean about the centre stand too. It could certainly do with a side bar to help. I find I almost tend to lift the bike and kick the stand underneath and as you say, I have found a bigger bike to be easier.

@JulianS. Following your suggestion, I checked it out and found as you suggested. Thank you.

[Greenfield]

Both stands drill, tap and weld easily. I only have a simple diy electric welder which is getting on for 50 years old. The overall length of my side stand is now 28cm to the tip of the foot. Make sure that you don't rotate the foot when you fix it back on, and that it won't interfere with the rear wheel steady bar, frame or chain when in the 'up' position. I suggest that the cut is halfway between the foot and the boss for the spring. Check that there isn't a big dent in the top where the faces meet, allowing the stand to pivot forward too much. This can be reshaped with weld. Mine still leans a bit more than I'd like but I don't have to carry a wood block in my pocket any more.
The side bracket on the centre stand is 8cm long. It needs to be horizontal to the ground when rolling the bike onto the stand. I think that it would be better to be 10cm long to get a better purchase with your foot.

[Phil C]

My (1965 B40F) centre stand is ridiculously difficult to get the bike on. We're they like that when new? Presumably. Why?   Phil

[Greenfield]

All I can think of is bad design as the part is original. Its much easier to 'roll' the bike onto the stand on later models, even though they are heavier bikes and are lifted no higher. The shape of the stand where it meets the ground is quite different. In the garage I lift the front wheel of the B40 by pushing forward onto a 2" thick plank, bevelled at the front, which makes it relatively easy to then pull it back onto the centre stand. Out and about I use the side stand, and that's why I lengthened it to make it more usable. There is some wear in the pivot which probably allows it to lean a little more, but I'll only remove this by rebushing it. I'll save that for another day.

[Blackthou]

Thanks Greenfield. Handy information and pictures on both counts. The main stand is pretty naff as is. Pleased to see they're so easy to mod. I'll certainly have a go and check for the wear you suggested.

Should there be a stop somewhere for the up position so that it doesn't belt the silencer everytime you take it off the stand? Seems a pretty common problem on old Brit bikes for some reason.

[Marshall]

Hi.
Just a thought!
Are you running 18" wheels? My C15 is on original 17" rims and seems to stand as I would expect it to.

[Blackthou]

Thanks for the suggestion. Rim - well front at least is 17". She looks level so assume the rear is the same. I measured my side stand today and it's 250mm. Greenfield's suggestion of 280 is a good place to start I believe.

[Matt McGuigan]

The standard side stand on my C15 trail bike also allows my bike to lean over too far for comfort, probably due to the 18" wheels. As I don't have welding gear, is there another longer stand that would fit without too much modification?

[chaz]

if you cant access welding kit google ebay "clamp on side stand" , you could take off your original one and clamp a stand alone one on the frame.

[Blackthou]

Thanks for the heads up.
I think I might cut the stand as suggested, marking it first for realignment, make a cotton reel type extension threaded at each end, do it up as tight as possible using stud lock also. Then i'd blend it in and paint. May add a tack weld also to secure.