Lowered bike, stand issues

siren · 07-17-2012, 03:16 PM

I had my bike lowered a good two inches and I'm sick of worrying about it on the kickstand because of course, it doesn't have much of a lean anymore now that it's been lowered so much. It's nearly straight up and down. It's also harder to get it up on the center stand now, so I'd rather not use that constantly.

Any suggestions on shortening the side stand? I am thinking maybe an inch would do...

Would love to shave my seat down a bit also, just so I can get my feet flat. Even with lowering, I still can't get my heels down. Ahh, the joys of being 5 feet tall!

SpitefulHam · 07-17-2012, 03:17 PM

I seem to remember roaring toyz making a short stand specifically for this purpose... let me see if I can find it.

EDIT: Found it. It's kind of expensive, but better then constantly worrying the bike is going to tip.

http://www.buynowroaringtoyz.com/Bil...tand_s/117.htm

siren · 07-17-2012, 03:24 PM

Thank you SpitefulHam! It is a little pricey and I may look around and see if I can find something similar/cheaper, but I would rather get something like this than go and just have someone cut off part of my existing stand. That was suggested to me by another biker I know and I was kind of "ehhh" about it.

Those look nice though... thanks again

Dodsfall · 07-17-2012, 04:24 PM

A decent fabricator could cut yours down and relocate the foot for you. I think that would be the cheapest option. If there are some decent machine shops/welders in your area, you should check around.

Unless you plan on growing taller, it's unlikely that you will ever need the longer kickstand.

Biker Dash · 07-17-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

A decent fabricator could cut yours down and relocate the foot for you. I think that would be the cheapest option. If there are some decent machine shops/welders in your area, you should check around.

Unless you plan on growing taller, it's unlikely that you will ever need the longer kickstand.

The only issue I see with that idea is structual intergrity issues.
That is the reason I replaced the sidestand on my bike instead of just repairing the bent one.

Just my opinion.

siren · 07-17-2012, 06:35 PM

Animedevildog, that is what I was worried about as well...

And Dodsfall, a girl can HOPE, but I don't think the growing taller thing is going to happen after age 26

But to both of you, how concerned would you be with a super-light Ninja 250 putting too much weight on an integrity-questionable stand?

And would I need to get a stand specifically designed for my Ninja or would any stand do?

Dodsfall · 07-17-2012, 07:30 PM

You can't just use any stand. They attach differently and have different hardware.

I wouldn't be concerned with a modified stand shortened by a reputable fabricator. As long as the welds are done properly, it will be as strong as the stock one. I'm not sure if the ninja has a "foot" welded to the bottom or not, but if so, it should definitely be replaced to keep the motorcycle from sinking into the ground or asphalt.

Biker Dash · 07-17-2012, 09:13 PM

Yeah, the little Ninja has a welded on foot I believe. On something such as that, I would be less hesitant to trust a cut and rewelded stand. On a Shadow, it is a cast piece, and thats a concern for me. (also considering that a Shadow weighs in at over 500lbs, as opposed to the 350 or so lbs (I'm guessing here) of the little Ninja.

kat569 · 07-17-2012, 10:03 PM

Yes, the Ninja (I have a 500R) has a foot on the stand. Even so, it's a small one and if you aren't on solid pavement it can sink in. So I carry a breaker box cover in my tank bag and toss it under the stand when I park on dirt or gravel (or if it's like a million degrees out, like it's been for the past couple of weeks). You would still need that little foot though, because without it the stand is liable to slide off the b.b. cover if it's not completely level. KWIM?

Save the money and get the shorter stand. Check eBay, for what it's worth, as well as your local dealer. I know that even if my dealer is more expensive on something, if I show them a price they will match or beat it.

jrw69 · 07-17-2012, 10:20 PM

I agree with Dodsfall. Take you bike by a custom bobber/chopper shop and they can cut and weld your stand to what length you need. As devildog said, those guys are fab-ing stands to hold a lot more weight than you have on your ninja.

Dodsfall · 07-17-2012, 10:40 PM

One advantage to custom-modding the stand is that you may be able to add a larger footprint to keep it from sinking into soft pavement.

You would have to be sure that it didn't stick out so far when retracted that it interferes with your foot, though.

Eye_m_no_angel · 07-18-2012, 08:02 AM

"I wouldn't be concerned with a modified stand shortened by a reputable fabricator. As long as the welds are done properly, it will be as strong as the stock one."

There it is. If you can't find a reputable fabricator in your area look up Low Brow Customs on the web. They can either do it for you or they can reccomend someone who can.

siren · 07-18-2012, 09:01 AM

My stand indeed has a small welded foot, and my bike is pretty lightweight, in the 300-350 margin.

I learned my lesson on the stand sinking! When my driveway had new blacktop put in, left my bike in the drive without anything under the stand, and now I have a little dent for memories in my drive. Always keep a coaster for my stand now, anywhere I go!

I was a little annoyed that every lowering kit I see online comes with something for the stand, if not a new stand. So the shop that lowered it for me either didn't have it or just plain didn't do it. <_<

I'm going to look around for some different shops or fabricators to help me in my area - I'll go with whatever is more affordable that can retain the foot on my stand. Will also check out Low Brow Customs, thank you for the suggestion! And thanks to everyone for the help.

07-17-2012, 03:16 PM	#1
siren Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 52	Lowered bike, stand issues I had my bike lowered a good two inches and I'm sick of worrying about it on the kickstand because of course, it doesn't have much of a lean anymore now that it's been lowered so much. It's nearly straight up and down. It's also harder to get it up on the center stand now, so I'd rather not use that constantly. Any suggestions on shortening the side stand? I am thinking maybe an inch would do... Would love to shave my seat down a bit also, just so I can get my feet flat. Even with lowering, I still can't get my heels down. Ahh, the joys of being 5 feet tall!

07-17-2012, 04:24 PM	#4
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,834	A decent fabricator could cut yours down and relocate the foot for you. I think that would be the cheapest option. If there are some decent machine shops/welders in your area, you should check around. Unless you plan on growing taller, it's unlikely that you will ever need the longer kickstand. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-17-2012, 07:30 PM	#7
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,834	You can't just use any stand. They attach differently and have different hardware. I wouldn't be concerned with a modified stand shortened by a reputable fabricator. As long as the welds are done properly, it will be as strong as the stock one. I'm not sure if the ninja has a "foot" welded to the bottom or not, but if so, it should definitely be replaced to keep the motorcycle from sinking into the ground or asphalt. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-17-2012, 09:13 PM	#8
Biker Dash Site Brony and Troll Eater Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Waterville, Maine (USA) Posts: 7,589	Yeah, the little Ninja has a welded on foot I believe. On something such as that, I would be less hesitant to trust a cut and rewelded stand. On a Shadow, it is a cast piece, and thats a concern for me. (also considering that a Shadow weighs in at over 500lbs, as opposed to the 350 or so lbs (I'm guessing here) of the little Ninja. __________________ 98 Honda VT750CD2 Shadow ACE 03 Dodge Ram 1500

07-17-2012, 10:03 PM	#9
kat569 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Gastonia, NC Posts: 1,421	Yes, the Ninja (I have a 500R) has a foot on the stand. Even so, it's a small one and if you aren't on solid pavement it can sink in. So I carry a breaker box cover in my tank bag and toss it under the stand when I park on dirt or gravel (or if it's like a million degrees out, like it's been for the past couple of weeks). You would still need that little foot though, because without it the stand is liable to slide off the b.b. cover if it's not completely level. KWIM? Save the money and get the shorter stand. Check eBay, for what it's worth, as well as your local dealer. I know that even if my dealer is more expensive on something, if I show them a price they will match or beat it. __________________ When life throws you curves, lean into them...

07-17-2012, 03:17 PM	#2
SpitefulHam Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 315	I seem to remember roaring toyz making a short stand specifically for this purpose... let me see if I can find it. EDIT: Found it. It's kind of expensive, but better then constantly worrying the bike is going to tip. http://www.buynowroaringtoyz.com/Bil...tand_s/117.htm

07-17-2012, 03:24 PM	#3
siren Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 52	Thank you SpitefulHam! It is a little pricey and I may look around and see if I can find something similar/cheaper, but I would rather get something like this than go and just have someone cut off part of my existing stand. That was suggested to me by another biker I know and I was kind of "ehhh" about it. Those look nice though... thanks again

07-17-2012, 06:35 PM	#6
siren Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 52	Animedevildog, that is what I was worried about as well... And Dodsfall, a girl can HOPE, but I don't think the growing taller thing is going to happen after age 26 But to both of you, how concerned would you be with a super-light Ninja 250 putting too much weight on an integrity-questionable stand? And would I need to get a stand specifically designed for my Ninja or would any stand do?

07-17-2012, 10:20 PM	#10
jrw69 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 465	I agree with Dodsfall. Take you bike by a custom bobber/chopper shop and they can cut and weld your stand to what length you need. As devildog said, those guys are fab-ing stands to hold a lot more weight than you have on your ninja.

07-17-2012, 10:40 PM	#11
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,834	One advantage to custom-modding the stand is that you may be able to add a larger footprint to keep it from sinking into soft pavement. You would have to be sure that it didn't stick out so far when retracted that it interferes with your foot, though. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-18-2012, 08:02 AM	#12
Eye_m_no_angel Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,215	"I wouldn't be concerned with a modified stand shortened by a reputable fabricator. As long as the welds are done properly, it will be as strong as the stock one." There it is. If you can't find a reputable fabricator in your area look up Low Brow Customs on the web. They can either do it for you or they can reccomend someone who can.

07-18-2012, 09:01 AM	#13
siren Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 52	My stand indeed has a small welded foot, and my bike is pretty lightweight, in the 300-350 margin. I learned my lesson on the stand sinking! When my driveway had new blacktop put in, left my bike in the drive without anything under the stand, and now I have a little dent for memories in my drive. Always keep a coaster for my stand now, anywhere I go! I was a little annoyed that every lowering kit I see online comes with something for the stand, if not a new stand. So the shop that lowered it for me either didn't have it or just plain didn't do it. <_< I'm going to look around for some different shops or fabricators to help me in my area - I'll go with whatever is more affordable that can retain the foot on my stand. Will also check out Low Brow Customs, thank you for the suggestion! And thanks to everyone for the help.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search