Kickstand Education
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Kickstand Education
It has been years since I rode a Sportster and I would like t get some advice.
I have seen more than one Sportster on the side of the road with a kickstand issue.
I got a 1998 1200C for my son. I don't like the way that the kickstand works. I am wondering the following:
1. Putting an extension on the kickstand seems to be a bad idea since springs are a common problem which would cause an extension to be an even bigger problem than the stupid desing in the first place.
2. Adding one half turn to the spring would increase the kickstand's ability to 'snap' into position (up or down) which is an approach that I used on my 2006 Nightrain but the Sportster's kickstand length still doesn't do well. As it is the only way to secure the stand 'in place' is to flip up the foot peg and >place< the stand on the ground and get weight on it or it will pop back under the primary. It seems that this design expects you to shuf off the bike, get off on the low side while holding the bars, and place the kickstand on the ground by sticking your foot under the primary to reach the stand.
3. Bend the mount and/or the spring pin to better locate the stand in the upright position.
4. Figure out that the stand is actually bent.
Anyone remember this far back?
Thanks in advance
I have seen more than one Sportster on the side of the road with a kickstand issue.
I got a 1998 1200C for my son. I don't like the way that the kickstand works. I am wondering the following:
1. Putting an extension on the kickstand seems to be a bad idea since springs are a common problem which would cause an extension to be an even bigger problem than the stupid desing in the first place.
2. Adding one half turn to the spring would increase the kickstand's ability to 'snap' into position (up or down) which is an approach that I used on my 2006 Nightrain but the Sportster's kickstand length still doesn't do well. As it is the only way to secure the stand 'in place' is to flip up the foot peg and >place< the stand on the ground and get weight on it or it will pop back under the primary. It seems that this design expects you to shuf off the bike, get off on the low side while holding the bars, and place the kickstand on the ground by sticking your foot under the primary to reach the stand.
3. Bend the mount and/or the spring pin to better locate the stand in the upright position.
4. Figure out that the stand is actually bent.
Anyone remember this far back?
Thanks in advance
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 757
Likes: 366
From: Winnipeg
I dunno man- ive never had an issue with a kickstand on any harley ive owned (except for a weak spring on my 92 after 25 years). Not sure what youre getting at- but i carry a couple of tywraps around with me in case the spring breaks- thats all ive got.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 3,973
From: San Diego, CA
If the kickstand is floppy, try a 4" spring from Home Depot. Worked wonders on my bike. I have read the kickstands with pin/bushings, that the bushings can wear out, but my 1991 does not have those and I've had no issues (save the floppiness) over 29+ years of ownership. The 4" spring pulls it up nicely against the bumper. I got two in the package, I can mail you the other one.
John
John
Last edited by John Harper; Dec 30, 2019 at 03:50 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 15
From:
Something sounds fubared. if its drawing your attention to it,...it probably is. Stop by a dealer and ask, Then buy a used one on Ebay for 20 cents on the dollar. If someone at the dealer is courteous enough to give you a correct answer that is. Unless it's just the spring then I guess give HD 6 times what its worth for the spring rather than drop the bike. Little bit of brutal honesty here. Hope ya don't mind.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 253
From: Northern Los Angeles area.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 3,973
From: San Diego, CA
Last edited by John Harper; Dec 30, 2019 at 04:06 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 565
From: Utah
I can't remember ever having kickstand issues on my '86. Don't know that I would have cared at the time, I was drunk or high most of the time.
If the spring is the issue, I think the link @John Harper posted would be the way I would go.
If the spring is the issue, I think the link @John Harper posted would be the way I would go.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 339
From: Northeastern Indiana
John Harper's suggestion may be the easiest to do and should fix a floppy problem ... I have heard of some that attach an Earth Magnet where the stand meets the frame and the magnet holds the stand in place and keeps it from flopping
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 522
From: USA
I too don't really understand the issue.
I don't have any issues with my 07 1200N side stand
1) Bending the pin where it is attached to the frame. I would not.
As for broken side stands this pin failure seems to be an issue with many posts.
Bending may increase the odds of this failure.
2) Stronger spring. Maybe that is the issue the OP is describing and a stronger spring may be the answer.
Home Depot link above to the rescue.
3) The pin/bolt and bushings of the side stand at its mounts. These can wear. Inspect. Maybe this is the issue and a simple fix.
4) Tire sidewall height or longer suspension than OEM? That could necessitate a longer side stand. Again not sure if that is the OP issue.
5) Magnet to keep the stand from flopping. Maybe, yet again I do not have any flopping issue like this.
6) Extension, that would ease "finding" the stand with ones foot. Maybe okay, but I don't think this is the issue the OP is describing.
All two cent comments, good luck.
I don't have any issues with my 07 1200N side stand
1) Bending the pin where it is attached to the frame. I would not.
As for broken side stands this pin failure seems to be an issue with many posts.
Bending may increase the odds of this failure.
2) Stronger spring. Maybe that is the issue the OP is describing and a stronger spring may be the answer.
Home Depot link above to the rescue.
3) The pin/bolt and bushings of the side stand at its mounts. These can wear. Inspect. Maybe this is the issue and a simple fix.
4) Tire sidewall height or longer suspension than OEM? That could necessitate a longer side stand. Again not sure if that is the OP issue.
5) Magnet to keep the stand from flopping. Maybe, yet again I do not have any flopping issue like this.
6) Extension, that would ease "finding" the stand with ones foot. Maybe okay, but I don't think this is the issue the OP is describing.
All two cent comments, good luck.