Sidestand play

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

I replaced the way-too-short sidestand on my '14 STD with the part from the '17 model. The lean angle is much improved.

I noticed while doing the replacement that the gap at the top of both side stands was noticeably wider than it needs to be to fit over the frame mounting plate. There is almost 1mm of play there. I checked few other Honda models and found the same thing. My old 2005 VFR800 is the same way.

Does anyone know the reason for the built-in slop in that hinge? I'm tempted to put a washer in the gap.

[the Ferret]

I doubt that it's sloppy engineering. Must be a reason.

[pekingduck]

Was there the same gap/slop with the original stand?

[PowerDubs_imp]

I'd like comparo pics.

Probably too late to take lean pics though unless you were to swap em around again.

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

I'll measure the gap in both kick stands (which appear to have the same gap), and then measure the frame plate. It's clear the gap is intended, but I don't know why. The spring keeps the stand biased outward in the same way the bike forces the stand to flex when leaning on it.

I'd love to hear why it's designed that way.
The mounting plate on the frame is an even 8.0mm thick. The mounting gaps in both sidestands are 8.35mm. Not as much as I thought, but enough to have a good bit of play.

[jtopiso_imp]

I'll measure the gap in both kick stands (which appear to have the same gap), and then measure the frame plate. It's clear the gap is intended, but I don't know why. The spring keeps the stand biased outward in the same way the bike forces the stand to flex when leaning on it.

I'd love to hear why it's designed that way.
The mounting plate on the frame is an even 8.0mm thick. The mounting gaps in both sidestands are 8.35mm. Not as much as I thought, but enough to have a good bit of play.

Just guessing:
option1-: it could add some flexibility to the assembly. So if the bike moves a bit (someone getting on/off it, wind loads...), the system gives a bit, avoiding overloading the bracket itself. When things give a bit, load is better distributed. Very stiff assemblies tend to concentrate loads on very small areas, which could lead to early failure. (imagine wind striking on a bike on the stand: all fatigue loading goes to that bracket)

option2-: perhaps is just to be sure that, even when dirty, there is no stiction in the mechanism, so no matter what, the stand will always retract fully.

option 3-: it was designed like that 50 years ago and it works fine, so it has never been re-engineered. Big tolerances are there by legacy

[zirconxi_imp]

I like option 3...Hahaha