Center Stand

[Joe M]

Just got my 01 GS-500 Monday as first bike & am loving it!

A couple questions though..

How do you  get the bike on the center stand? I struggled last night with it & had no luck.

Also, what is best way to clean chain lube of rims?  Mine are as cast with what looks like aluminum paint & I want to get chain lube drips off (JP1) without damaging finish.

Thanks for any help, I am new to this.

Joe

[girlracer]

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8425&highlight=center+centre+stand

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=84198&highlight=#84198

[octane]

Do a search and threads will come up with different methods of getting the bike on the stand. I just stand on it and lean back...but I weigh 200 lbs., so if you're not a big dude that may not work.

For the wheels, I use a bug and tar cleaner you can get pretty cheap at any auto parts store. Works well and doesn't harm the finish. Good luck with the new bike, you'll enjoy it!

[Laura]

You might want to have somebody with you on the other side of the bike when you first start putting it on the centerstand. I tried to put mine on the centerstand a couple of days ago and I dropped it its right side.

Laura

[Edsel]

im not a heavy guy but as long as you put your whole weight on the stand the bike should just pop back. try to leave the side stand down just in case the bike wants to tip over atleast the stand would stop it.

[perfdrug]

i personally can't do it with the side stand down. i find myself relying too heavily on that as a safety. i just put my right foot on the center stand, grab the grab bar with my right hand, and grab the frame where it "T's" under the tank, and stand on the center stand. i sort of pull back with my arms, and it comes right up. i've never had a problem.

[ollie357]

Here's a great tip IMHO:

With your left hand on the left grip and your right hand grasping the rear passenger grip ( the cast metal hoop that sticks up), use your right foot to push down on the center stand until it touches the ground,....you with me?..then start TILTING the bike away from you to the right SLOWLY, maintaing slight downward pressure on the stand, until you start to feel the other "leg" of the center stand start to make contact with the ground. Then, give that sucker a mighty heave to the back, with your foot still pushing down on the stand and yourself facing to the front of the bike, until it goes up and over onto stand. Sometimes you need to rock it a few times to gain momentum if U R WEAK   But really, the KEY is to get that other leg seated on the ground otherwise you'll never get it off the ground easily and may give yourself a hernia.

[Joe M]

I got it!

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Looking forward to conversing with "yous guys" (as we say here in RI)

Thanks again,

Joe

[patricia]

AND girls!!

Personally , I don't use mine.  It drives me nuts.  I guess if you are little, it is harder.  I've dropped mine too getting it off the stand.  I hate that darn thing :x

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[JLKasper]

I'll defer to the previous posts as to how to use the centrestand properly.  I use WD-40 to clean the rear wheel.  Spray it on, let it sit for awhile, and wipe off.  Works like a champ.

[ghettorigged]

WOO HOO!!!!  

Got my GS on the center stand by myself for the first time! Thanks to the many recent posts regarding this topic.
I am pretty weak and I didn't think I would ever be able to to do it alone, but after only a few attempts, it's up!  

[500rider]

It took me a few attempts at first to get the hang of it.  I dropped it too one time.  Hence the now polished side covers.  

I am about 180lbs so maybe it is easier for me but I usually stand my whole weight on the foot mount to get it started and use the method suggested by ollie357.  

Patricia:
To get the bike down, I usually sit on the seat and push forward.  U can use the front brake to slow the forward motion as well once the bike passed the fulcrum point.

Some bikes are easier than the GS.  My Kat is about 100lbs heavier but is actually easier to get onto the center stand.  

Rob

[500rider]

Oh yeah, I once saw the mechanic at my local shop put it on the stand by rolling the bike backwards with one hand on the bars and then flicked the centerstand down with his foot.  It looked effortless but it must take some practise. I wouldn't recommend this method.

Rob

[ghettorigged]

Patricia:
To get the bike down, I usually sit on the seat and push forward.  
Rob

I don't even THINK about taking my bike off the center stand without sitting on it to do so. Good call Rob!