Help please: Kick stand height. Can anyone measure for me?

[BruinFJRguy]

Hi guys,

Would anyone be so kind as to measure the vertical height from the ground of your sidestand foot and the jimmy to raise the stand with your foot?

My foot is just about 4" off the ground, vertical, and to the ball of the stem to kick up the stand it is about 7.25" to the middle of the ball.

I'm trying to figure out if I have some sort of after market stand. It looks stock, but I'm sure it has the bike at more of an angle. I realized when I got my 2013 home that I have Soupy's lowering links installed. They were set to 200 mm instead of the stock 190 mm, which had my bike lowered about an inch. I also have a foot on my stand, which helps raise the bike a bit now that I have re-shortened the links to stock height thereby re-raising the tail to factory.

Sidebar, I think I need a replacement kickstand, but when I do I'll likely have a set of Soupy's links and a shortened kickstand for sale for someone that wants to lower their rear (insert innuendo now).

[Red]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to figure out if I have some sort of after market stand. It looks stock, but I'm sure it has the bike at more of an angle. I realized when I got my 2013 home that I have Soupy's lowering links installed.

BruinFJRguy,

Most lowered FJRs have a too-long sidestand. Some people (like me) have the foot cut off and re-welded to make it right. Some people grind away at the sidestand stop. That's fine, if done correctly, but sometimes they go too far with the grinder, letting the sidestand swing 'way too far forward, trying to "shorten" it. If the sidestand stop has been ground too far, then you probably have a stock sidestand, and a new OEM sidestand won't fix the "leaning bike" problem. If the stop has been ground away too far, you can build up the stop action with a bolt, or some minor welding, so the sidestand stops at the right angle for your bike.

Alternately, if the sidestand stop is original, then the sidestand has probably been shortened too much and re-welded. Then a new sidestand will give you the opposite problem, a bike that falls to the non-sidestand (right) side too easily. If the sidestand is just too short now, you can add a thicker foot to the sidestand, to get the bike at a nice angle when on the sidestand. You could bolt up a metal assembly or even use wood/epoxy to make the bottom plate thicker, just check that the sidestand folds up and deploys as it should, with no interference from the thicker foot. Once you paint it all black, nobody will even notice it. HTH.
.

[BruinFJRguy]

Ooh, I didn't even think of that. I'll do some more investigation. If I get a whole new bracket that would work? At a glance, looks like undoing engine mounts is necessary if I do that, though.

I'd still be interested in the measurements in the meantime, if anyone has the time to throw their (stock) bike on the centerstand and put a tape to it.

[raYzerman]

To replace the entire side stand, you have to remove the left footpeg stay, while in there lube up the shifter linkages... engine mounts are different than the side stand mount, but obviously there are some good fasteners there for good reason. It ain't that hard.... you'll need a #50 Torx though.
I hadn't thought of the possible ground down side stand stop, good one Red.

[ionbeam]

2015 ES, stock, PR4GT tires, standard sidewall height
suspension set to ONE, FIRM
the side stand pivot point has a hex head bolt
from the ground straight up to the center of the hex head 8.0"
from the very tip of the side stand, right along the length of the sidestand to the center of the hex head 11.0"

[raYzerman]

For consistency, recommend measuring while bike is on the centerstand.

[ionbeam]

For consistency, recommend measuring while bike is on the centerstand.

from the very tip of the side stand, right along the length of the sidestand to the center of the hex head 11.0"

Doesn't change between sidestand and centerstand

[raYzerman]

True, but takes out any differences in angle if the stop has been ground or sidestand bent slightly or sloppy in the pivot area if the "clevis" has been spread (as I have seen on some, had to re-squeeze to eliminate play).

[ionbeam]

True, but takes out any differences in angle if the stop has been ground or sidestand bent slightly or sloppy in the pivot area if the "clevis" has been spread (as I have seen on some, had to re-squeeze to eliminate play).

It's the first, easiest thing to check and it's also the first suspect in this investigation. If it's not equal to 11.0" the hunt is over. If it is equal to 11.0" it's time to look at the stop being ground down, or checking to see if the sidestand is straight or bowed like it was heated and bent.

[wheatonFJR]

I think I will just keep Alan on speed dial if I need anything trouble-shooted. Or just plain shooted.

[BruinFJRguy]

Looks like I'm 8" from straight down at the ground to bottom of hex bolt, and 11" straight along the length. No evidence of grinding or spacing. It does appear more bent than what I see in pics of my last bike. I'm puzzled.

The bike seems to stand OK on the side stand, but it still had me puzzled.

I have the pictures here (cant upload elsewhere right now): https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZFFnQDYpje59EiC27

[Red]

No evidence of grinding or spacing. It does appear more bent than what I see in pics of my last bike. I'm puzzled. The bike seems to stand OK on the side stand, but it still had me puzzled.

BruinFJRguy,

Sorry, but my bike has been lowered (Kouba Links), and the sidestand was custom-cut and re-welded, so any measurements that I could provide would not help you. Otherwise, I would gladly provide measurements.

Since the sidestand foot has a larger plate installed already, it seems like a very simple job to put the right thickness of material under the existing foot plate, to get the "lean angle" that you want for the bike on the sidestand. Draw around the plate's outline on that material, and cut/fit to make the new foot-bottom match, only being thicker, and using some slightly longer bolts. Any big-box home improvements store should have the new nuts and bolts needed there. Paint it black. Easy-peasey.

.

[BruinFJRguy]

That's a good idea, Red. I think that's what I'll do.

[ionbeam]

Looks like I'm 8" from straight down at the ground to bottom of hex bolt, and 11" straight along the length. No evidence of grinding or spacing. It does appear more bent than what I see in pics of my last bike...

From your picture, I believe that that is within the range of normal for the sidestand and the lean angle looks normal also.