Center Stand Problems et al.

akpasta · Post by **akpasta** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:59 pm

I've begun to notice a strange sound from the center stand when I push the bike off it. So I investigated and discovered that the center stand bolts (or maybe something else) is grinding the hole out that they fit into. When the stand is up, and I have the bike leaning against a wall or something and I'm underneath, I can actually move the stand and the bolts move inside the hole in the frame that the bolts go into; those holes have been grinding out. I guess the stand has been moving around or something and the bolts are grinding out the holes for them that are in the frame. Why is this happening?

This bike has in general been giving me so much trouble. The engine is strong at least, but all kinds of other stuff like the speedo (broken tach), foot peg mount cracked, extraneous frame pieces (this issue) have cracked or broken, random bolts here and there have stripped, etc.

Are these bikes cursed or something? Should I dump the thing off before it rattles apart and is totally worthless? I'm getting pretty discouraged. I've only put like 800 miles on it since I bought it, and it looked to be in damn good shape at that point but it's falling apart so fast. I'm a pretty easy rider on it, I don't abuse anything I'm careful and nice to it. Does anyone have any advice or words of encouragement?

conbs · Post by **conbs** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:26 am

AK, tough situation. But, try not to be discouraged. Why do you say the bolts are "grinding out' the holes?

akpasta · Post by **akpasta** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:14 pm

The holes in the subframe, or whatever, that the shoulder bolts to into are larger than they used to be, when the stand is in the up position, you can see that there is play, the stand can move forward and back in those holes, the bolts that hold the center stand into the frame are grinding out the holes in the frame.

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:03 pm

That's a common problem on high-mileage frames. The constant vibration just wears the holes bigger. When I restored mine, I reamed out the holes and had washers welded in, ground flush, and re-drilled. I suppose you could try oversize shoulder bolts. If you're not planning to completely disassemble the bike in the near future to weld the frame, I would suggest getting the Honda accessory sidestand and just using that. Secure the centerstand somehow to keep it from rattling, but leave it in place so you can adjust the chain, etc.

Don't get discouraged! Price you pay to ride a classic. Once you work through these initial issues, you'll probably have more:) That's why we have this forum!
-48

akpasta · Post by **akpasta** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:21 pm

No, it's not because of a high-mileage frame. The holes were smaller when I got the bike, it's happened in the last 800 miles or so, gonna have to get under there and figure out a way to fix it I guess.

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:33 pm

How many miles were on the bike when it was restored? Make sure the shoulder bolts are tight and the spring holds it up against the muffler with a little force. Those holes shouldn't enlarge in 800 miles.

akpasta · Post by **akpasta** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:40 pm

No idea about miles on the bike, seller reset speedo to zero. But he had it all the way down to the frame and re-painted it. I had some problems with shoulder bolts in the stand rattling loose and falling out of the bike (i fuckin lost TWO). But anyways, I tightened em down, one with a split washer, the other with a wave washer. And I used red loctite. I think maybe they're not tight enough so there's play, and when you push the bike up and off the stand, the bolts grind into the frame. It's weird though because it you tighten them down too tight, the stand doesn't spring up like I assume it should. Maybe stronger or more springs would work.