Good morning, Riders.

A few weeks back I had to replace the kick stand spring on my scoot.

While at a local shop; I had a new spring installed.

Since having the new spring installed; each time I park on the slightest of slopes, my bike wants to roll - either forward or backward depending on the grade.

This got me to thinking as to how the "kickstand" actually prevents the bike from rolling?

And what could the mechanic have done, (wrong spring used, spring installed backwards), to prevent the kickstand from engaging properly?

Your opinions and comments are welcomed.

Ride In Peace

 

I think, if you look at the way the jiffy stand is designed you will see how it works. It doesn't engage until the weight of the bike is applied and a slight roll forward or back is normal. Once it is locked it is not going any place. Harley has the best designed stand out there.

 

I had to park downhill the other day. The kickstand held well, despite my cynicism. Anyone know how much of a grade you can be downhill and still use the jiffy stand?

 

They all roll a bit if on a sloping surface, but it's normal don't trip over it.

 

Its unique with harleys, its a option that is included with the price..

 

Don't know how much angle/grade it would take to hold bike/jiffy-stand, but I'm sure a person can decide this, based on common sense. Also, if bike's at high parked angle, keep it in gear to prevent rolling/tipping...JMO.

 

To fit the spring you need to pull the kickstand off. If the mechy didnt put the tabbed washer back on (pretty hard to leave it off) or if it was put on wrong then the bike could roll a bit more than normal.

How the kickstand works is there is a tabbed washer on the top of the kickstand which locks into the u shaped mount for the kickstand. You can see the tab in this pic attached. The spring holds the kickstand in the down position and the tab is not engaged. When the weight of the bike goes onto the kickstand the tab locks in and the kickstand cant fold up.

 

My first Harley freaked me out when I parked it and it began to roll forward. I was standing inside the storefront looking through the glass and would not have been able to prevent it from falling over. That's when I got down and really examined how Harley makes a Jiffy Stand. It's a helluva design really, and unless the mechanism actually breaks, your bike will NOT fall over. Once you put the weight of your scoot on the stand the top of the stsand engages a T shaped, or fork shaped mechanism. Once engaged, it's locked in place and can't be moved until the weight of the bike is lifted from it. Once this occurs, the spring releases it and you can close the stand and ride off. It takes some getting used to for the first time Harley owner but once you feel comfortable with it you won't worry about it again.

 

The bottom of the kickstand is smooth chrome so its going to slide a bit on many surfaces.

 

Great explanations; KingKingKing and Navy Mustang.

Neither this scoot nor any of my previous scoots "rolled" the way this one does now.

At least now, I have something to check.

Thanks again.

Ride In Peace