getting off the stand

[devo]

I just bought my first Beemer, a 1980 R65. It has nary a scratch and I surely don't want to make one, but I'm not a big guy and am paranoid about dumping it while hefting it up and off the center stand. My dealer told me to never used the side stand. Anyone have tips on how to get it up and down? Another question I have, which may sound stupid, is, on the fuel petcock. If I want to open to the main tank, should the tang be pointed down? The owner's manual isn't really clear on this. In other words should the long part of the lever be pointing to your selectin? thanks for any help!

[srb]

When taking the bike off the center stand, use the assist handle and if the bike leans let it lean into you rather than away. As far as the sidestand is concerned, there is nothing wrong with using it. If you choose to use the sidestand allow oil to grain from the left side before deploying the stand. This can be accomplished by keeping the bike level for a few (5-10) seconds after turning the machine off. Petcock should be down for on, up for reserve, and either forward or back for off. Always turn them off when you turn the bike off.

[devo]

Thanks sbrick, most helpful. I'll practice. The bike just seems to lean way too far over on the sidestand (stock). Think I'll stay with the centerstand whenever I can.

[R100RS]

I use the center stand mostly, it just feels more secure. I use the assist handle to put it on center stand, but to take it off, I sit on the bike and with my feet on the ground rock the bike forward to get it off center stand.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by R100RS
I use the center stand mostly, it just feels more secure. I use the assist handle to put it on center stand, but to take it off, I sit on the bike and with my feet on the ground rock the bike forward to get it off center stand.

That's exactly what I do.

[PeoriaMac]

Devo, if you're really worried about this, a used Reynolds Ride Off stand (I'm assuming they made them for R65's) might be the answer.
Some folks love em, others hate em. I'm neutral.
Others, over the years, had added "ears" to their stock stands to give them a wider "foot".

Mac

[coyotebmw]

I have had some interesting issues with sidestand/center and have documented many of them in the noted thread. You might want to read that thread.

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by devo
I just bought my first Beemer, a 1980 R65. It has nary a scratch and I surely don't want to make one, but I'm not a big guy and am paranoid about dumping it while hefting it up and off the center stand. My dealer told me to never used the side stand. Anyone have tips on how to get it up and down? Another question I have, which may sound stupid, is, on the fuel petcock. If I want to open to the main tank, should the tang be pointed down? The owner's manual isn't really clear on this. In other words should the long part of the lever be pointing to your selectin? thanks for any help!

This may not make sense now, but it will in time:
Putting the bike onto the center stand is more about steadying it with the handlebars and the grab handle while you STAND DOWN on the centerstand than it is about LIFTING the bike onto the stand with the grab handle.

[jgr451]

I have a reynolds ride off on my 84 R100 RT and I too have mixed feelings.Its low camming action makes it easy to deploy but it doesnt't raise either wheel off the ground;it is too narrow on soft ground;and it does not ride off well on gravel or soft ground.It came with the bike.All in all I would have preferred the stock centre stand,but the ride off does have its virtues.
I also changed to a Brown side stand,the factory job was an embarrassment.

[dlearl476]

I "ride off" all my OEM center stands. Feet on both pegs, gentle "pelvic thrust" judicious feathering of clutch and away I go.