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I think there have been discussions about center stand technique. Over the past few weeks I have been experiencing soreness in my left wrist and lower forearm. Until last night I did not put 2+2 together and figure out that it is my center stand technique for my CB that is doing it. I normally stand on the right side of the bike, put my right hand on the silver frame piece under the seat, put my right foot on the center stand lever, and my left wrist on the handlebar. I am not a lightweight, but my weight alone does not get the bike on the stand--I seem to have to pull the frame up with my right hand while pulling back with my left hand. Something I am doing is straining my left hand. What am I doing wrong? Is there a better technique? Thanks!!
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(06-12-2016, 11:03 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: SailorRider,
See http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538 and http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538 and [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1761.[/url]
Thanks for the links, Cormanus. I did see those before and have followed the techniques shown. I think my issue is more subtle--apparently I am pulling either too hard with my left hand or at an awkward angle. I will play with subtle changes in left hand placement and amount of force exerted to hopefully stop this from causing strain. Maybe I should concentrate more on the right hand lift and center stand lever with less emphasis on pulling backwards with the left hand. I see some other contributors have said most of the work is done by the leg, if you are using arm or back you are doing it wrong.
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SailorRider....there is no pull with left hand, it just steadies you and the bike. Everything is done with right leg and right hand. Keep your left wrist straight.
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(06-13-2016, 01:06 AM)SailorRider_imp Wrote: (06-12-2016, 11:03 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: SailorRider,
See http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538 and http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538 and [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1761.[/url]
Thanks for the links, Cormanus. I did see those before and have followed the techniques shown. I think my issue is more subtle--apparently I am pulling either too hard with my left hand or at an awkward angle. I will play with subtle changes in left hand placement and amount of force exerted to hopefully stop this from causing strain. Maybe I should concentrate more on the right hand lift and center stand lever with less emphasis on pulling backwards with the left hand. I see some other contributors have said most of the work is done by the leg, if you are using arm or back you are doing it wrong.
Thanks for the links, Cormanus. I did see those before and have followed the techniques shown. I think my issue is more subtle--apparently I am pulling either too hard with my left hand or at an awkward angle. I will play with subtle changes in left hand placement and amount of force exerted to hopefully stop this from causing strain. Maybe I should concentrate more on the right hand lift and center stand lever with less emphasis on pulling backwards with the left hand. Maybe you should forget about the centerstand before you get hurt. 
To explain, I've been doing this 34 years and have had many motorcycles with centerstands. Most are fairly straightforward, some are very easy to the point of being nearly effortless (like the earlier BMW boxers).
This bike is NOT that easy to get up on the centerstand. It requires much more of a direct lift than many because of the geometry. A big heavy guy who can put a lot of weight on the tang is going to be better off and also have more leverage all round. If you are having all this trouble, you are probably not that guy. I am not, that's for sure.
Why risk dropping the bike, doing yourself harm, just to use this feature?
Take the thing off and use a paddock stand if you're not comfortable with it. You'll have to learn to use that, too but it's a lot easier, and you will be pushing DOWN on it, not lifting, which is bad for your back, shoulders, and as you mentioned, wrists. Get some help the first few times. The one in the image is using spools but it comes with pads that fit under the swingarm.
Any stand poses a risk of injury or dropping the bike, period. No argument, almost everyone has dropped a bike or two while putting it on a stand. Pick the stand with the least potential for injury or damage. In my case I use paddock stands on all my bikes except one.
I did strain a few muscles fussing with the CB1100's centerstand and realized it had to go. I only have one spine and I'm not going to wreck it proving I can put one of these boat anchors on the mainstand.
[attachment=4792]
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(06-13-2016, 01:33 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: SailorRider....there is no pull with left hand, it just steadies you and the bike. Everything is done with right leg and right hand. Keep your left wrist straight.
I will try that.
(06-13-2016, 01:38 AM)Ulvetanna_imp Wrote: (06-13-2016, 01:06 AM)SailorRider_imp Wrote: (06-12-2016, 11:03 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: SailorRider,
See http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538 and http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7538 and [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1761.[/url]
Thanks for the links, Cormanus. I did see those before and have followed the techniques shown. I think my issue is more subtle--apparently I am pulling either too hard with my left hand or at an awkward angle. I will play with subtle changes in left hand placement and amount of force exerted to hopefully stop this from causing strain. Maybe I should concentrate more on the right hand lift and center stand lever with less emphasis on pulling backwards with the left hand. I see some other contributors have said most of the work is done by the leg, if you are using arm or back you are doing it wrong.
Thanks for the links, Cormanus. I did see those before and have followed the techniques shown. I think my issue is more subtle--apparently I am pulling either too hard with my left hand or at an awkward angle. I will play with subtle changes in left hand placement and amount of force exerted to hopefully stop this from causing strain. Maybe I should concentrate more on the right hand lift and center stand lever with less emphasis on pulling backwards with the left hand. Maybe you should forget about the centerstand before you get hurt.
To explain, I've been doing this 34 years and have had many motorcycles with centerstands. Most are fairly straightforward, some are very easy to the point of being nearly effortless (like the earlier BMW boxers).
This bike is NOT that easy to get up on the centerstand. It requires much more of a direct lift than many because of the geometry. A big heavy guy who can put a lot of weight on the tang is going to be better off and also have more leverage all round. If you are having all this trouble, you are probably not that guy. I am not, that's for sure.
Why risk dropping the bike, doing yourself harm, just to use this feature?
Take the thing off and use a paddock stand if you're not comfortable with it. You'll have to learn to use that, too but it's a lot easier, and you will be pushing DOWN on it, not lifting, which is bad for your back, shoulders, and as you mentioned, wrists. Get some help the first few times. The one in the image is using spools but it comes with pads that fit under the swingarm.
Any stand poses a risk of injury or dropping the bike, period. No argument, almost everyone has dropped a bike or two while putting it on a stand. Pick the stand with the least potential for injury or damage. In my case I use paddock stands on all my bikes except one.
I did strain a few muscles fussing with the CB1100's centerstand and realized it had to go. I only have one spine and I'm not going to wreck it proving I can put one of these boat anchors on the mainstand.
[attachment=4792]
Thanks for the links, Cormanus. I did see those before and have followed the techniques shown. I think my issue is more subtle--apparently I am pulling either too hard with my left hand or at an awkward angle. I will play with subtle changes in left hand placement and amount of force exerted to hopefully stop this from causing strain. Maybe I should concentrate more on the right hand lift and center stand lever with less emphasis on pulling backwards with the left hand. Maybe you should forget about the centerstand before you get hurt.
To explain, I've been doing this 34 years and have had many motorcycles with centerstands. Most are fairly straightforward, some are very easy to the point of being nearly effortless (like the earlier BMW boxers).
This bike is NOT that easy to get up on the centerstand. It requires much more of a direct lift than many because of the geometry. A big heavy guy who can put a lot of weight on the tang is going to be better off and also have more leverage all round. If you are having all this trouble, you are probably not that guy. I am not, that's for sure.
Why risk dropping the bike, doing yourself harm, just to use this feature?
Take the thing off and use a paddock stand if you're not comfortable with it. You'll have to learn to use that, too but it's a lot easier, and you will be pushing DOWN on it, not lifting, which is bad for your back, shoulders, and as you mentioned, wrists. Get some help the first few times. The one in the image is using spools but it comes with pads that fit under the swingarm.
Any stand poses a risk of injury or dropping the bike, period. No argument, almost everyone has dropped a bike or two while putting it on a stand. Pick the stand with the least potential for injury or damage. In my case I use paddock stands on all my bikes except one.
I did strain a few muscles fussing with the CB1100's centerstand and realized it had to go. I only have one spine and I'm not going to wreck it proving I can put one of these boat anchors on the mainstand.
Thanks. I will try adjusting my technique before abandoning the process altogether. Great insights all.
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It's actually quite easy - and easy on you - if you employ the right technique. At 6', around 170lbs., I'm a comparative lightweight, and I can do it, no problem, no sweat, no injury.
I stand on the left side of the bike (facing it), right hand on the left passenger grab rail, left hand on the left hand grip, right foot on the centerstand. Just stand hard onto the centerstand with all your weight on your right foot, with a slight pull up/back with your right hand - letting your weight onto your foot do 90% of the work - and it'll slide right up onto the stand. After you've done it a few times, you'll wonder what you ever worried about!
Good luck!
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+1 on what Papa Wheely said. I'm 5'9" and weight about 150.
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I also use Papa's technique. However, if I got a sidecar, I would never need the center stand again
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Coming from the sidecar world I learned a simple method to get the bikes onto their center stand - ride up onto a small piece of scrap lumber, 2x6 works great. With the rear wheel elevated by the 2x it's a simple "step" to get it onto the centerstand for maintenance or tire changes.
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