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My '51 Pan-Shovel has the original frame, unadulterated re: sidecar and toolbox mounts. I assume that some of the ears on the dropouts by the rear axle are for the OEM center stand...?
Here's my question: has anyone yet designed an easily replicated center stand for these bikes? I don't see any commercial/aftermarket versions for sale. As you can see, I have a chopper stye rear fender, and like the look of it. So, was hoping for something similar to this eBay listing for a Duo Glide Panhead center stand reproduction The price is right. But would this fit my '51 frame?
Would the easier thing be to weld up a box section or angle iron 'H' frame of some sort? I guess an alternative would be to purchase and adapt an existing one, and I attach this photo of an old Honda four banger purely as an exemplar. I can't recall but seem to remember that they attach farther forward than the old Panhead style center stands--but the benefit of this design--and the Duo Glide design linked above--is that you don't have anything dangling behind the rear wheel, which with a bobbed rear fender would look kind of clunky.
Note: ideally, I'd stay away from welding anything onto my intact frame, so that'd be the primary design challenge.
Last edited by NM Pan-shovel; May 30, 2022 at 01:35 PM.
Ah, here is a webpage from a guy refurbishing his Duo Glide stand like the one I found. (2nd of two pages). However, he notes a downside to the Harley design:
"Here's a trick for getting the motorcycle up onto the center stand with one person. Take a small block of wood (I used a square piece of 2" x 6" lumber) and roll the rear tire onto it. Now you can get the motorcycle onto the stand fairly easily. I tried using the stand without the block and couldn't even budge it. Just getting that rear tire up 1 1/2" makes all the difference."
So, perhaps the issue is that it's missing the foot lever the Honda design has...? If so, it'd be easy to weld one onto the Duo Glide piece.
This might be the trick, if I can figure out a way to attach pivots to the frame without welding. Any thoughts?
Last edited by NM Pan-shovel; May 30, 2022 at 01:40 PM.
Rear stand hanging off the back of the bike is not offensive on a bobber, lots of guys use the stock catch and just mount it to their license plate frame. For racing I just used a leather strap form a tool bag. And they are very effective, though usually a two man affair unless you have a good lip in the road to back the back up to.
Rear stand hanging off the back of the bike is not offensive on a bobber, lots of guys use the stock catch and just mount it to their license plate frame. For racing I just used a leather strap form a tool bag. And they are very effective, though usually a two man affair unless you have a good lip in the road to back the back up to.
No, that doesn't look bad on your bike (which looks like a lot of fun BTW). However, I would prefer a setup that will allow me to put it on the stand myself without too much trouble, if at all possible. It's easy to move it slightly to avoid flat spots on the tires, but I found it useful to quickly pop a bike onto the center stand to service the chain, etc. Thanks for posting the picture.
Up on the stand, rear wheel is off the ground and removable. Does what it is designed to do, more effective than I expected except on the sand it just sunk in. Good luck with your search.
Up on the stand, rear wheel is off the ground and removable. Does what it is designed to do, more effective than I expected except on the sand it just sunk in. Good luck with your search.
Okay, thanks. Yeah, sand and soft soil are real hazards with these heavy old bikes.
P.S. - I'm about to start another thread about an astonishing oil dump this morning that prevented me from running an order to the post office. Would appreciate any advice you can offer...
A rear stand on the OP's bike will look gay with that fender and I dont mean happy. I think a center stand will look equally as bad.
Why not buy a bike jack they use on bike lifts if you just want the rear wheel off the ground?
Oh, thanks for the suggestion. I've got one of those hydraulic jobs that the PO gave me with the bike that just rolls under the frame rails.
Yeah, the aesthetics of the center stands aren't ideal. I suppose I'm just nostalgic for the ease with which you could pop the old Beemers, Hondas, etc. I've owned up onto their stands. But as far as servicing the chain at home, you're right that the stand is only a few seconds more. Just being lazy, I guess...
This is a front stand that came on my bike when I bought it, I removed it right away since I've never seen one on any other bikes, it's spring loaded and I don't know if it's home made or something offered back then, it was bolted to the frame using standard bolt connections that are factory (if I remember right), it just looked real bulky to me, but deffinately different.
This is a front stand that came on my bike when I bought it, I removed it right away since I've never seen one on any other bikes, it's spring loaded and I don't know if it's home made or something offered back then, it was bolted to the frame using standard bolt connections that are factory (if I remember right), it just looked real bulky to me, but deffinately different.
Huh, so it lifts the weight off the front wheel, instead of the rear...? Well, either way it's nice to have the thing level for checking oil and so forth. I might've left it on, as it's arguably a unique part of the bike's history even if handmade by the owner. But as you say, a little bulky.
I ordered one of the old aluminum Duo Glide center stands the guy had on eBay just to hold it beneath the frame and see how it looks tucked up, as he allows returns. When folded up, I never found the one obtrusive on my old Triumph, whch was just like this one (only the paint was a different color).
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DIY center stand for Pan-Shovel
