Honda stand

[kaisermuldoon]

Was working on RSVRuss' bike a few days ago which has a 'blade stand. MUCH better than the stock piece of sillyness.

Hi Nooj,

did you notice if RSVRuss had shortened his stand at all?
Does the type of shock fitted have any affect on the stability on the stand?
I am looking at shaving a little off at a time as I feel it needs a little more lean to be perfect.

You are right it is miles better than the original.

[mangocrazy]

I think you either need to

a) acquire an RSV Ohlins and use the ride height adjuster

or

b) use the ride height adjuster on your non-standard shock.

That will save you having to make unnecessary modifications to your Blade sidestand. In fact, I might even think about changing my GSXR stand to a Blade one, as I've got a fair angle of lean on the GSXR item with my ride height adjustments.

Has anyone done a direct comparison for GSXR vs. Blade stand as regards stand length?

[D-Rider]

I might even think about changing my GSXR stand to a Blade one, as I've got a fair angle of lean on the GSXR item with my ride height adjustments.

Out of interest, what sort of ride height have you got on yours, Graham?

I've a Gixer sidestand and I find it just right on mine with the Ohlins at maximum ride height. I've also found it works very well when I have the standard sachs fitted (which can't be said for the sachs itself) - and my feeling was that was very much the other end of the ride-height spectrum (though I could be wrong).

[Samray]

Gio would have adjusted the tyre pressures to get the right height.

[D-Rider]

Gio would have adjusted the tyre pressures to get the right height.

..... and talking of whom .... has anyone heard anything of him?

[Samray]

Not a word. I hope he changed his mind about retiring to Italy. They're closer to being bankrupt than us.

[mangocrazy]

Out of interest, what sort of ride height have you got on yours, Graham?

I've a Gixer sidestand and I find it just right on mine with the Ohlins at maximum ride height. I've also found it works very well when I have the standard sachs fitted (which can't be said for the sachs itself) - and my feeling was that was very much the other end of the ride-height spectrum (though I could be wrong).

Hi Andy, I'd need to get my measuring stick (calipers) out to check that and unfortunately I'm in Sheffield and the bike's in Stafford...

It's also complicated by the fact that I'm using Falco linkages rather than RSV/Tuono ones, and each mm of ride height on the shock has a bigger effect at the wheel. I've got the forks pushed through the yokes as far as possible (five rings showing, I think), and about two-thirds to three-quarters of available ride height used on the shock.

So it steers very nicely and that's without the OZ wheels fitted...

Next time I'm back in Stafford I'll check the measurements and post them up. But at least the bike-less status in Sheffield has an end in sight. I've finally finished off the outhouse (put a concrete floor down last weekend), so I should be able to move the bike in soon.

Then all I need to do is draught-proof the outhouse, put a heater in there and I can fettle to my hearts content over winter...

But if anyone could post up measurements of the Blade stand, from bolt centre to the heel of the stand base, that would be useful information.

[D-Rider]

Ah yes - I'd forgotten you had the Falco linkages on there - that will push the back up a bit!

[kaisermuldoon]

I think you either need to

a) acquire an RSV Ohlins and use the ride height adjuster

or

b) use the ride height adjuster on your non-standard shock.

That will save you having to make unnecessary modifications to your Blade sidestand. In fact, I might even think about changing my GSXR stand to a Blade one, as I've got a fair angle of lean on the GSXR item with my ride height adjustments.

Has anyone done a direct comparison for GSXR vs. Blade stand as regards stand length?

I did notice that reducing the preload seemed to make the Aprilia stand less stable - Iv'e got it adjusted to 42mm at the moment but I doubt screwing it down another 2mm will give me more lean. Anyway the preload adjuster isn't there to sort out sidestand stability, I am okay riding the bike on the current setting.

Still reckon the hacksaw will be coming out, my chum has an old CB900 stand that we will try out first.

Thanks for confirming what I thought about adjusting the preload!

[D-Rider]

Hi Kaiser .... no, not the preload adjuster - the only thing that will change that will have a little effect on how it sits on the stand is the static sag - but as you say, you don't want to be playing with that for parking purposes - that needs to be set correctly so that the suspension works properly.

Graham (Mango) was talking about ride height adjustment (basically extending the overall length of the shock). The standard blue-spring sachs doesn't have this adjustment but other (good) shocks do.
That said, I'd still not rely on it to get my parking angle right as it affects the bike's geometry and thus, how it handles - so best used to get that how you want it. There again you may be able to get the parking height right and the geometry right for the way you want it to handle by adjusting that and the position of the yokes on the forks .... but probably better to just get a stand that works well.

[mangocrazy]

Kaiser - would you be able to measure the Blade stand, from mounting bolt centre to the heel of the stand base? That dimension would be very useful to know.

Cheers.

[kaisermuldoon]

Kaiser - would you be able to measure the Blade stand, from mounting bolt centre to the heel of the stand base? That dimension would be very useful to know.

Cheers.

The measurement, from the mounting bolt centre to the heel of the stand. 25cm give or take 1mm.

I parked the bike on top of a 15mm piece of floorboard, stability better again still.



I reckon shortening the Fireblade stand by 10-15mm will put the bike almost back to the same lean angle as it was on the Aprilia stand, but with the extra reach away from the bike. Hopefully get this done next week!

[kaisermuldoon]

Finally got the Fireblade (04-07) stand shortened. I parked the bike up and placed a 15mm board next to the stand to allow me to score a cutting line on the stand.

My chum cut and the stand and welded the footplate back on, see the results below!

Shortened Honda stand vs Standard Falco stand:

Result:


I had a 1mm blob of weld added to the stand to stop it hitting the exhaust and also took about 2mm off the Mounting Bracket stop to allow the stand to park farther forward.

A major improvement from the standard item.

One thing to note is the sidestand switch, it doesn't kill the engine until it's moved about 2 inches, I will be getting hold of the Honda switch too to see if it's any better.
The Aprilia spring fits but it takes a mighty effort tug to pull it over the retaining pegs, I will try the Honda spring too!

[Aladinsaneuk]

Lol

Fit the spring before sliding the leg into the bracket.... It's a lot easier

[kaisermuldoon]

Lol

Fit the spring before sliding the leg into the bracket.... It's a lot easier

Tried that first - spring is too short just about bust a gut gripping the end of the spring in mole grips and stretching it enough to hook over.':smt013'

Though the bike was going to come off the paddock stand !!!

I reckon the sping is about 7-10mm too short, but would rather have it on the tight side. Will be looking at a Blade spring to see if its a better fit.