Universal Sidestand

Hi,

Been looking in on posts for a while but haven't contributed much due to pressure of work/family etc. and also that the bike has been running without fault for quite a while now.

But...(there's always a but...), just before Christmas the mount holding my sidestand finally gave way (it had been welded back in place at least once before).

Rather than try to have it welded again I scoured the net and found (predominantly on UK sites) bolt-on universal sidestands.

I ordered one recently and it arrived last night. Looks a bit shorter than standard but I can always add and extension of some sort to the "foot" part of it so that bike does not lean too far when parked.

The top of the standard is in 2 semi-circular parts with evenly spaced ridges on the inside to give it some bit when clamped. I was also thinking of applying some JB Weld when bolting it on to the bike to prevent the clamp from turning on the frame.

Looks like the only real place to clamp the stand to the frame is slightly behind where the original welded lug is located, where there is some space between the frame and the engine block.

Be interested to hear if anyone has had any experience with a bolt-on sidestand to replace the original. If not...does the use of JB Weld seem like an OK addition to the process. I guess at some stage a little spot welding of the clamp to the frame might do the trick forever.

Thanks.

 

On the other hand, the JB Weld might only serve to "lubricate" the clamp for easier sliding around on the frame. I'd hold out for a small spot weld or two, followed by a shot of paint.

 

Hmmm...yes. I was wondering about that. It's not exactly a flat surface to surface attachment.

Spot weld seems like the best solution to prevent movement around the frame.

Thanks.

 

Just be careful not to overdo it lest the frame be weakened and the new stand end up tearing a hole in it.

What exactly does your bike have for a "lug?" My 550s have this monstrous bracket that mounts the sidestand switch as well as the stand, welded into the corresponding section of the fame. I can't imagine it breaking loose, or even breaking.

 

Have your welder cut a pipe in half the long way, 125 MM long and add that to the bottom of your frame, while re-welding your factory bracket in the factory location.

It would seem to be a more "honest" repair than a tacked on kickstand AND an unused lug, and shoddy, cracked welds.

Weld a pad on the "foot" while your at it so you can park off road.
(about 2" square, 50X50MM )

 

Hi,

Thanks for the welding advice.

The lug looks original - it's fairly large and at one time probably had some association with a cut-out switch.

I think what happened is that a previous owner dropped/crashed the bike on the left hand side and may have damaged the sidestand and/or sidestand mount bracket where it attaches to the frame. Thing is, where it has all come adrift is actually a couple of cms away, underneath on the frame itself. A weakened spot, maybe a low point where water got in the frame and settled and rusted through. The damage became greater when maybe the bike landed on its left hand side and the sidestand was somewhere other than tucked up and as a result the force created a weakening of around 3 - 4 cms near the sidestand lug.

The frame near the lug had already been welded when I acquired the bike. When it broke a second time from the weight of the bike resting on its sidestand (over time) the general consensus was that it was not a good idea to weld it again as that would weaken the frame and in any case probably wouldn't hold.

So...plan B. Will check out the half pipe option - that seems like a good idea to strengthen a weak point.

I must admit tho' - I've scoured websites and forums, especially those in the UK for Triumphs and Nortons where a replacement bolt on sidestand for a deteriorated original is not that uncommon and there is no real negative feedback other than if you don't do it right it might move and turn on the frame. The clamp does have little ridges along the inside so that probably helps grip the frame.

Cheers.

 

Welders do better work when access is easier, so - - (pre-clean the area)
Plan on laying the bike over, remove tank and battery, drain carb bowls if you can.
UNPLUG the TCI, maybe even think about removing the pick-ups

 

Are you sure the mount gave way and not the pipe (frame) as there have been a few instances of the frame actually collapsing in at that very spot. That side stand puts a lot of pressure on that piece of pipe (frame) especially if someone sits on the bike when on the side stand.