COG Centerstanding... an Olympic Event ;)

THE ZEN OF CENTERSTAND
	The following message appeared not long ago in the E-mail of all the COG members now participating in the COGNet: TO: All FROM: Bob Shriner SUBJ: GODZILLA & THE CENTER STAND Is there a trick to raising the Concours on the center stand? How do the COGnoscienti do it? I've been STRUGGLING with my '91 for two years and it seems to keep getting harder and harder to get the sucker up. Last week in Pennsylvania I tried unsuccessfully for 5 minutes to get the damn thing up on the center stand and never could get it up . . . despite all 175 lbs of me on the rocker bar . . . and finally conceded defeat and gassed it up on the side stand. There's got to be a better way! In my garage, I laid a 1x6 where the back wheel goes, which gives me less distance to raise the bike before the center stand locks. It works great, but I can't do that on the road! I know I'm not the smallest or weakest guy who rides one of these suckers. How do the Joe Cool's of COG do it? All suggestions (well, MOST suggestions) welcome! ! ! BOB The result was an out-pouring of sympathy and advice from fellow COG members. Some of the techniques are imaginative, to say the least; while most involve careful pre-positioning, pre-visualization, and a strong background in oriental martial arts technique. Seems like getting the Concours up on the center stand is a problem for EVERYBODY! (Hmmm . . . maybe this is a business opportunity.) Here's a sample of the responses. (Names withheld to protect the guilty. . . . and the bashful.) At 6' and 215lbs the center stand is difficult for me too. My 9 year old daughter gives the fairing a push on the count of three and it goes up! When test riding my '86 it went right up on the center stand but after buying the bike I remembered that this was on a gravel parking lot. The best way I have found to get it up is to work it up in stages. I rock the bike back on the stand like I'm going to put it up, but then let it roll forward a short distance. Then I come back with gusto allowing the momemtum to help get it "over the hump. Several times I have had to let it come forward a couple times before I get enough grunt in the reverse travel. Also, take off the L.H. bag so you can get close enough to the bike to get a decent grip on it. I'm just under 175 lbs. and find that if I grip the handle by the set and push down hard with my right foot on the center stand tang, I can get the behemoth up on the stand without much trouble. The problem with using props is that they do not help on the road and support poor technique. If the Connie is full of gas its more difficult but not impossible to get the Bike on the center stand. The key, I think, is balancing the bike and using momentum to lift it onto the center stand. I probably benefit from my exercise plan that includes some minor weight work. A small price to pay for health and the centerstand. This brings to mind the old joke: How many COG riders does it take to put a Connie on its centerstand . . . . I'm 5'11" and weigh 185 and I too have trouble getting it up (be nice now - we're talking about the bike). Naturally it's worse when you're loaded for two up travel. However, the one thing I've noticed is that it's all technique - now stop it, this ain't sex ed! Stand next to the bike with it on the center stand, put your left hand on the left handle bar, your right hand on the grab handle, your chest facing forward, and your right foot on the stand foot thingy. Now, your right hand should be pretty much next to your right hip/thigh. This is the position you should be in AFTER the bike is up on the stand. Which means that before you start your "lift", your right hand should be forward of your right hip/thigh. Now, I can tell you for a fact that unless you're possessed with great strength, facing the bike or bending at the waist will preclude a sucessful "lift". If you examine your correct post lift position and how you got there, the efficiency of motion will make sense. Just remember before you start your "lift", that you're trying to lift up and back - not just up. Hope this helps. Oh, and before I forget, please sign the attached liabilty waiver - it's just a precaution my attorney ask me to get!!" It's even more difficult to look cool while trying! I've had my '92 almost 2 years and this is the first year I have felt comfortable doing it unassisted (putting it on the center stand, I mean). Even now, I will not try it unless it is at LEAST a level playing field. And even with a slight downhill incline it will take a couple of tugs. For me, the secret is to get a foot or so of momentum--right foot ready to slam down the stand; arms stretched as far out as possible; and then pull back quickly to get some inertia built up before excerting the down pressure on the stand. I look like I'm warming up for an olympic louge run. Unfortunately, my technique leaves little room for balance should the bike start leaning one way or another. I'm 5'8" & 180lbs and wouldn't consider myself very strong. However, a 10+ year experienced rider who works for me is 5'6" and 140 lbs and he can pull my Connie up every time. There is no doubt that putting the Connie on it's center stand is not a fun task. At home, I have taken a hint from a magazine and I put a piece of decking I had left over (1 x 6) about 2 feet long with a piece of 2 x 4 nailed to one end in front of the front tire to create a ramp to roll the bike on. Then I just put my foot on the foot tang for the center stand and let the bike roll itself on the center stand. Real Nice. On the road, it just takes task commitment. I find that stepping harder on the foot tang like you are going to drive it into the ground while rolling the bike backwards with one hand on the left handle bar and the right hand on the luggage rack (remove luggage) rather than on the lift handle, seems to work best, provided I create one or two rocking motions before saying, "Lets do it". It also helps to provide a good mental picture of the bike going up on the stand prior do doing any of the above. Sort of like a skier seeing the run in his mind. Any picture or even list little thought that the bike won't go up, and it won't. I guess we could call this "getting it Up" and it is more mental than physical. Works for me! I've found the easiest way to raise the old girl up on the centerstand is to first push it down to the ground with my left foot, then grab the passenger grab rail with my right hand and the lifting handle with my left hand. Then I push the bike away from me until it rests on both feet of the centerstand. At that time I stand on the cenerstand, and over she goes, slick as can be. Pensé que soy el solo qué tenía un problema lo hace arriba. Está bueno saber que alguien otro tiene el mismo problema. La manera mejor que he hallado está pensar en lo primero, entonces tira duro arriba en el asa mientras empuja en el centro está de pie con mi pie izquierdo. Pero está MUY duro; y a veces todavía no puedo hacerlo arriba. Si aprende de una manera mejor, permitió que supiera. Actually, you CAN have some effect on it depending on the tires you're using. Those real sticky racing tires hold on to the pavement so well that it makes it hard to get it on the center stand. . . . Not buying that, eh? Well, how about considering the profile of the tire? Some, such as the Metzler Marathons that I use have a taller profile, which of course reduces the distance you need to raise the bike. Others, like the Michelin, are pretty low profile and make a LONG ways to raise the bike. Of course that's not the only reason I recommend the Metzlers but it's an added benefit. For someone in my advanced age and feeble condition, I have to take every advantage I can get - and besides, I don't ride fast enough to need those "boy racer" tires. [GDR] I figure if a driving onto a piece 1x6 helps raising the Concurs in the garage, why not take it on the road? I keep a tapered piece of 2x4 just long enough to fit in the bottom of one bag. I just put it in front of the back wheel, get on and drive it up. put down the kick stand, turn front wheel to the right, get off, right hand on lift thingie right foot on center stand, and left hand on bars. then push bike away and straighten bars until you feel both feet of stand are touching and pop it up. At 75 I need all the help I can get. Also, how in the heck does anyone get these bikes on the centerstand? I'm 6'6", 225#, and can't get the thing up on the stand to save my life. Any words of advice? Well since I asked about centerstanding end of last year, I haven't put Gerxxxxx that much on the centerstand anymore. Tried the various techniques that didn't need welding on the centerstand and found them all to work just fine, but I happened to "discover" an extra technique: Drive your bike uphill, even as little as one degree is enough. Balance the bike on the centerstand Just put her on the centerstand like that. No pulling, no swearing, no nothing, just do it. (No need for Nike stuff though!) <BG> I admit to having fifty years of riding experience, but positive attitude and correct approach makes this an easier than many machine to place on the center stand. Don't try to do it; do it! Position the cycle where it will be parked, left hand on left bar, body facing forward, right foot on stand tang, right hand on handhold, with weight on right leg, lift up and back while pushing down and forward on stand tang. Heave! See how easy that was? I was reading all the messages on how hard of a time people are having getting the Concours up on its center stand & there is a trick to do it that someone showed me. Put your right foot on the CS & stand as close to the bike as possible. Put your left hand on the left grip & with your right hand palm facing the bike grab the assist handle under the seat. Roll the bike forward just a little bit & when you pull back on the bike you have to pull up with your right hand & drive the CS down with all of your weight with your right foot. I am a 6 foot 210lb. disabled man who has just started riding a motorcycle again after not riding since 1993 due to physical problems. I hope this will help everyone have an easier time of getting their Concours up on its CS & remember all of the force of getting it up on the CS is pulling up with your right hand & pushing down hard on the CS with your right foot at the same time. I have a 1990 Connie. I weigh over 300 pounds and can bench press close to 450 pounds. About getting Connie on the center stand,.........what's the problem? Just a thought, Waiting To Ride From Canada Hi, I finally found how to put the Connie on the stand. The principle is to put maximum pressure on the right foot and the right hand is used to add some, instead of trying to swing the bike separately and confusedly. The right hand does not pull to swing the bike to the right but add pressure on the right foot by pulling upward. This upward and opposite move put some pressure down on the stand. In the best move, pulling up with the hand creates an equivalent pressure down on the pedal and the combined force swings the bike on the stand. From "Bob" Here's my story, and I'm sticking to it! I am 5'10", about 180, and 60 yrs old. Not strong at all. But, I use the side steppin almost ballet technique. Yep! Start by leaving the regular kickstand down. (It might come in handy if you drop the bike that way.) Next, upright the bike, like you are on it, but you stand by the side. Left hand on handle bar, right hand on grab/lift handle. Get the front wheel straight too, otherwise, you'll be down the river. Then, move the bike forward about 2 feet, reverse the action backwards (nice huh). While going back, instigate the sidesteppin/ballet technique. As the Connie is moving back, take a right step back, take a left foot step back after that, (almost stepping past your right foot) gaining speed, and then slam down the kickstand with your right foot as you continue to move backwards. Like a 1 and a 2a and a 3..... and lifto the beast. It goes right up on over. But, you better be sure you have that steering bar straight. Or, you could be minced meat. I have used this techique with a full tank, a tank bag, a duffel bag on the back seat, and a Givi case full, with golf clubs strapped on too. From "John" My thoughts on lifting the bike onto the centerstand. The centerstand has two feet in contact with the ground. An equal weight must be placed on both centerstand feet while lifting. If you pull the bike toward you during the lift more weight will be applied to the closer foot making the lift near impossible. Dont worry about the bike tipping away from you. Front wheel straight, full weight down on centerstand arm with right foot, while pulling up on rear grab rail with your body as close as possible to the bike. Piece of cake!

THE ZEN OF CENTERSTAND

The following message appeared not long ago in the E-mail of all the COG members now participating in the COGNet:

TO: All
FROM: Bob Shriner
SUBJ: GODZILLA & THE CENTER STAND
Is there a trick to raising the Concours on the center stand? How do the COGnoscienti do it?

I've been STRUGGLING with my '91 for two years and it seems to keep getting harder and harder to get the sucker up. Last week in Pennsylvania I tried unsuccessfully for 5 minutes to get the damn thing up on the center stand and never could get it up . . . despite all 175 lbs of me on the rocker bar . . . and finally conceded defeat and gassed it up on the side stand.

There's got to be a better way!

In my garage, I laid a 1x6 where the back wheel goes, which gives me less distance to raise the bike before the center stand locks. It works great, but I can't do that on the road! I know I'm not the smallest or weakest guy who rides one of these suckers. How do the Joe Cool's of COG do it?

All suggestions (well, MOST suggestions) welcome! ! !

BOB

The result was an out-pouring of sympathy and advice from fellow COG members. Some of the techniques are imaginative, to say the least; while most involve careful pre-positioning, pre-visualization, and a strong background in oriental martial arts technique. Seems like getting the Concours up on the center stand is a problem for EVERYBODY! (Hmmm . . . maybe this is a business opportunity.)

Here's a sample of the responses. (Names withheld to protect the guilty. . . . and the bashful.)

At 6' and 215lbs the center stand is difficult for me too. My 9 year old daughter gives the fairing a push on the count of three and it goes up! When test riding my '86 it went right up on the center stand but after buying the bike I remembered that this was on a gravel parking lot.

The best way I have found to get it up is to work it up in stages. I rock the bike back on the stand like I'm going to put it up, but then let it roll forward a short distance. Then I come back with gusto allowing the momemtum to help get it "over the hump.

Several times I have had to let it come forward a couple times before I get enough grunt in the reverse travel.

Also, take off the L.H. bag so you can get close enough to the bike to get a decent grip on it.

I'm just under 175 lbs. and find that if I grip the handle by the set and push down hard with my right foot on the center stand tang, I can get the behemoth up on the stand without much trouble. The problem with using props is that they do not help on the road and support poor technique. If the Connie is full of gas its more difficult but not impossible to get the Bike on the center stand. The key, I think, is balancing the bike and using momentum to lift it onto the center stand. I probably benefit from my exercise plan that includes some minor weight work. A small price to pay for health and the centerstand.

This brings to mind the old joke: How many COG riders does it take to put a Connie on its centerstand . . . .

I'm 5'11" and weigh 185 and I too have trouble getting it up (be nice now - we're talking about the bike). Naturally it's worse when you're loaded for two up travel. However, the one thing I've noticed is that it's all technique - now stop it, this ain't sex ed!

Stand next to the bike with it on the center stand, put your left hand on the left handle bar, your right hand on the grab handle, your chest facing forward, and your right foot on the stand foot thingy. Now, your right hand should be pretty much next to your right hip/thigh. This is the position you should be in AFTER the bike is up on the stand. Which means that before you start your "lift", your right hand should be forward of your right hip/thigh.

Now, I can tell you for a fact that unless you're possessed with great strength, facing the bike or bending at the waist will preclude a sucessful "lift". If you examine your correct post lift position and how you got there, the efficiency of motion will make sense. Just remember before you start your "lift", that you're trying to lift up and back - not just up.

Hope this helps.

Oh, and before I forget, please sign the attached liabilty waiver - it's just a precaution my attorney ask me to get!!"

It's even more difficult to look cool while trying!

I've had my '92 almost 2 years and this is the first year I have felt comfortable doing it unassisted (putting it on the center stand, I mean). Even now, I will not try it unless it is at LEAST a level playing field. And even with a slight downhill incline it will take a couple of tugs. For me, the secret is to get a foot or so of momentum--right foot ready to slam down the stand; arms stretched as far out as possible; and then pull back quickly to get some inertia built up before excerting the down pressure on the stand. I look like I'm warming up for an olympic louge run.

Unfortunately, my technique leaves little room for balance should the bike start leaning one way or another. I'm 5'8" & 180lbs and wouldn't consider myself very strong. However, a 10+ year experienced rider who works for me is 5'6" and 140 lbs and he can pull my Connie up every time.

There is no doubt that putting the Connie on it's center stand is not a fun task. At home, I have taken a hint from a magazine and I put a piece of decking I had left over (1 x 6) about 2 feet long with a piece of 2 x 4 nailed to one end in front of the front tire to create a ramp to roll the bike on. Then I just put my foot on the foot tang for the center stand and let the bike roll itself on the center stand. Real Nice.

On the road, it just takes task commitment. I find that stepping harder on the foot tang like you are going to drive it into the ground while rolling the bike backwards with one hand on the left handle bar and the right hand on the luggage rack (remove luggage) rather than on the lift handle, seems to work best, provided I create one or two rocking motions before saying, "Lets do it".

It also helps to provide a good mental picture of the bike going up on the stand prior do doing any of the above. Sort of like a skier seeing the run in his mind. Any picture or even list little thought that the bike won't go up, and it won't. I guess we could call this "getting it Up" and it is more mental than physical.

Works for me!

I've found the easiest way to raise the old girl up on the centerstand is to first push it down to the ground with my left foot, then grab the passenger grab rail with my right hand and the lifting handle with my left hand. Then I push the bike away from me until it rests on both feet of the centerstand. At that time I stand on the cenerstand, and over she goes, slick as can be.

Pensé que soy el solo qué tenía un problema lo hace arriba. Está bueno saber que alguien otro tiene el mismo problema.

La manera mejor que he hallado está pensar en lo primero, entonces tira duro arriba en el asa mientras empuja en el centro está de pie con mi pie izquierdo. Pero está MUY duro; y a veces todavía no puedo hacerlo arriba. Si aprende de una manera mejor, permitió que supiera.

Actually, you CAN have some effect on it depending on the tires you're using. Those real sticky racing tires hold on to the pavement so well that it makes it hard to get it on the center stand. . . . Not buying that, eh? Well, how about considering the profile of the tire? Some, such as the Metzler Marathons that I use have a taller profile, which of course reduces the distance you need to raise the bike. Others, like the Michelin, are pretty low profile and make a LONG ways to raise the bike. Of course that's not the only reason I recommend the Metzlers but it's an added benefit. For someone in my advanced age and feeble condition, I have to take every advantage I can get - and besides, I don't ride fast enough to need those "boy racer" tires. [GDR]

I figure if a driving onto a piece 1x6 helps raising the Concurs in the garage, why not take it on the road? I keep a tapered piece of 2x4 just long enough to fit in the bottom of one bag. I just put it in front of the back wheel, get on and drive it up. put down the kick stand, turn front wheel to the right, get off, right hand on lift thingie right foot on center stand, and left hand on bars. then push bike away and straighten bars until you feel both feet of stand are touching and pop it up. At 75 I need all the help I can get.

Also, how in the heck does anyone get these bikes on the centerstand? I'm 6'6", 225#, and can't get the thing up on the stand to save my life. Any words of advice?

Well since I asked about centerstanding end of last year, I haven't put Gerxxxxx that much on the centerstand anymore. Tried the various techniques that didn't need welding on the centerstand and found them all to work just fine, but I happened to "discover" an extra technique:

Drive your bike uphill, even as little as one degree is enough. Balance the bike on the centerstand Just put her on the centerstand like that. No pulling, no swearing, no nothing, just do it. (No need for Nike stuff though!) <BG>

I admit to having fifty years of riding experience, but positive attitude and correct approach makes this an easier than many machine to place on the center stand. Don't try to do it; do it!

Position the cycle where it will be parked, left hand on left bar, body facing forward, right foot on stand tang, right hand on handhold, with weight on right leg, lift up and back while pushing down and forward on stand tang. Heave! See how easy that was?

I was reading all the messages on how hard of a time people are having getting the Concours up on its center stand & there is a trick to do it that someone showed me. Put your right foot on the CS & stand as close to the bike as possible. Put your left hand on the left grip & with your right hand palm facing the bike grab the assist handle under the seat. Roll the bike forward just a little bit & when you pull back on the bike you have to pull up with your right hand & drive the CS down with all of your weight with your right foot. I am a 6 foot 210lb. disabled man who has just started riding a motorcycle again after not riding since 1993 due to physical problems.

I hope this will help everyone have an easier time of getting their Concours up on its CS & remember all of the force of getting it up on the CS is pulling up with your right hand & pushing down hard on the CS with your right foot at the same time.

I have a 1990 Connie. I weigh over 300 pounds and can bench press close to 450 pounds. About getting Connie on the center stand,.........what's the problem?
Just a thought,
Waiting To Ride

From Canada
Hi,

I finally found how to put the Connie on the stand. The principle is to
put maximum pressure on the right foot and the right hand is used to add
some, instead of trying to swing the bike separately and confusedly.
The right hand does not pull to swing the bike to the right but add
pressure on the right foot by pulling upward. This upward and opposite
move put some pressure down on the stand. In the best move, pulling up
with the hand creates an equivalent pressure down on the pedal and the
combined force swings the bike on the stand.

From "Bob"
Here's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

I am 5'10", about 180, and 60 yrs old. Not strong at all. But, I use the side steppin almost ballet technique. Yep!

Start by leaving the regular kickstand down. (It might come in handy if you drop the bike that way.)

Next, upright the bike, like you are on it, but you stand by the side. Left hand on handle bar, right hand on grab/lift handle. Get the front wheel straight too, otherwise, you'll be down the river.

Then, move the bike forward about 2 feet, reverse the action backwards (nice huh). While going back, instigate the sidesteppin/ballet technique. As the Connie is moving back, take a right step back, take a left foot step back after that, (almost stepping past your right foot) gaining speed, and then slam down the kickstand with your right foot as you continue to move backwards. Like a 1 and a 2a and a 3..... and lifto the beast. It goes right up on over. But, you better be sure you have that steering bar straight. Or, you could be minced meat.

I have used this techique with a full tank, a tank bag, a duffel bag on the back seat, and a Givi case full, with golf clubs strapped on too.

From "John"
My thoughts on lifting the bike onto the centerstand.

The centerstand has two feet in contact with the ground. An equal weight must be placed on both centerstand feet while lifting. If you pull the bike toward you during the lift more weight will be applied to the closer foot making the lift near impossible. Dont worry about the bike tipping away from you. Front wheel straight, full weight down on centerstand arm with right foot, while pulling up on rear grab rail with your body as close as possible to the bike. Piece of cake!

Back to the Funeez page

Comments, problems to: Rick, or webmaster@concours.org