1100GS sidestand help? Leans WAAAAY over!

[79237]

'96 model 1100GS...bought new...I've always thought in leaned over too far on the sidestand and the problem seems to have worsened. Fully loaded, it's in danger of tipping over and with a little help, it will! (Don't ask how I know.) Dealers just look at me funny when I ask about solutions, so I was encouraged to read Dancin' Dave's last column, indicating mine is not the only "leaner" in the BMW fleet.

I tried the big footprint "shoe" but as Cwi notes, it fouls the centerstand and is a pain in the butt.

Any suggestions?

[Belquar]

I have a big leaner too. I believe there are side stand extensions available. I have not looked into them as of yet. Seems like it would be pretty easy to fabricate though even if there is not one commercially available. Just take it to a good welder and ask them to make the shaft longer.

Should be pretty easy. Cut it with a torch. Add a piece and weld it all back together.

Brian

[mjuskiw]

I have bolted a hockey puck to mine and its fine,
Gives a bit more area and raises it 3/4 of an inch.

I would reccomend removing the Sidestand to do the work.
Saves the force on the switch.

I still watch which direction I park on a hill But it is way better on a flat surface. Also costs about $0.98 and blends right in on a GS. caution it may look out of place on one the pretty models

Mike J
Akron Oh

[79237]

Thanks, Mike...does the puck not get in the way of the centerstand, or do you just work around that?

[delhonrock]

I was okay with the lean 'till I set out on a fully loaded camping trip.

I too used the hockey puck; but, shaped it to match the stand's footprint.

Three stainless bolts countersunk on the bottom and nuts on the top. The stand drills easily and there is no interference with the center stand.

Michael

[griffin738]

As others have told me, the first step in addressing an issue is admitting you have a problem. I'm working on that; see below.

Next, I put on an wider footprint which helped some. . . .but I'd love to see a photo of the hockey puck solution. Mike or Michael, care to post a pic?

[RiverRat280]

jesse luggage makes an extention and I'm looking into how much longer the adventure models is.....if not too much and fits right I'll bolt on the adventure side stand because fully loaded its a pain to get off the side stand after your tired out from riding all day.

[sgborgstrom]

Hockey puck on my F650GS/Dakar:
http://stromborg.smugmug.com/photos/69173092-M.jpg
Admittedly not an "oilhead" but you get the idea.

Steve

[RebeccaV]

Hockey puck on my F650GS/Dakar:

That is a great solution! My '96 1100RS leans too much too. I put the bigfoot on it (it doesn't interfere w. the centerstand) and it helps a bit, but I have been carrying a block of wood in my tank bag to help.

Any other tips before I attempt to do this myself???

[mjuskiw]

I will get pics this weekend.

I had no interference with the centerstand but did trim the side that goes by the frame.

Im interested in Michaels application because I had a different concern.

Looking at it I was worried that I was hanging a mass on the end of a lever arm. At the other end is a kill switch.

I was afraid that the added weight might "drag" it down enough to engage the sidestand switch when I hit a Bump and kill the engine. At the least Im sure the extra weight will prematurely wear the two springs that hold it up.

I trimmed mine to minimize the weight; but like it so much Im thinking of making a bigger one maybe a bit shorter about a 1/2 inch. In my research I ran across a guy who used a cutting board from the dollar store.

So Im curious if Michael has heard any bumping or if the mass of the whole puck has caused any issues. Ive tied mine with very thin thread and it didnt break so I think Im stable but would love a bigger one. I dont think id hear it if it was bouncing,

This is a typical project for me : I had one rainy afternoon to get it done. In this case I like it enough to revisit it over the winter and clean it up and improve it a bit. Im looking for more area with less weight.

Mike J
Akron Ohio

[mjuskiw]

PS Im on 1200GS (20050
Different stand setups I may have more room than the 1100's
Ill check

MJJ

[DBFtwofast]

Order a side stand extension from jesseluggage.com $50.00 it works great.

Dennis

[downhillhunter]

What the puck?!

Mine leans way too far over,too. And to make it worse, I have to lean the bike way over TDC to the right, to get it to clear the ground, when retracting it! That has cause some heart palpitations with my short little legs and all the junk I think I have to carry with me!

I like the novel hockey puck idea, but it seems to me that I would almost have to lay the bike over on it's right side, when retracting.

I think that my problem is that the stand goes too far forward. Maybe my
stops are worn. Mine sticks way out toward the front (no smart comments, please) and that causes most of my lean problems. Anyone else notice this on their's?

BTW, I didn't know that we GSers were allowed to use bolts. I thought we were restricted to duct tape and wire? This changes everything!

[mjuskiw]

The keyto uses actual hdw instead of ducttape is not to use matching hdw.
If it looks like you found them in the bottom of the junk drawer ive been told its OK.

MJJ

[mjuskiw]

Here is the puck with the back trimmed

[mjuskiw]

And the resulting lean

Mike J
Akron Oh

[Beemerchef]

Mine leaned over waaaaay too much also... so i attached a Sidecar to it!
:laugh :laugh :laugh

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos/98705798-S.jpg


Sorry... I could not resist...

Be well... Ara

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos/100828748-S.jpg

[snoone]

As others have told me, the first step in addressing an issue is admitting you have a problem. I'm working on that; see below.

Next, I put on an wider footprint which helped some. . . .but I'd love to see a photo of the hockey puck solution. Mike or Michael, care to post a pic?

I have the wider footprint and it does help a little but I need the hockey puck on my gs as well. The whole problem would be solved if I was 6'3". I'd have a lot more leverage.. I Just noticed the SYF on your ride. Welcome to the Grateful Thread (always active)

[downhillhunter]

That look really slick, jmuskiw!

Did you counter sink the bolt heads on the bottom?

What kind of lean to the right does it take to retract it?

Downhill Hunter

[mjuskiw]

Thanks

Yes they are machine screws I did countersink with a bigger drill bit. Then just jammed them thru and drew them up with the nut. They are recessed on the bottom about an 1/16th of an inch. Its rubber so Its pretty forgiving but I guess you could split it with too much tension.

Oh If you drill too fast you will rubber coat the bit and make a mess. If get the right speed you get a nice even chip and go right thru, Too fast and you end up fighting it.

I had longer screws around so I ended up cutting them off and grinding it smooth. Ill check it this winter make sure it is still tight I doubt it moved.

I just stand it uo straight and retract it, It really doent feel different at all.

BTW off this post but I love the sidecar answer, that rig kinda has a mad max quality about it I really like.

Mjuskiw