Jiffy Stand ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,860
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From: King George, VA
RE: Jiffy Stand ?
I would be inclined to think it is linked to the early days of bicycles. The chain or band drive was on the right, so they put the kickstand on the left so the drive side would be easier to work on. The early motorcycles were bicycles with a motor in em and just carried over with some of the basics. When Harley Davidson got started they continued with the kick stand on the left and as usual, everybody else wanted their bikes to look like the Harleys, so you know the rest.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 901
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From: Toms River, NJ
RE: Jiffy Stand ?
ORIGINAL: Sammi
Back "in the day" kickstarters were on the right, so jiffy stand on the left?
Sammi
Back "in the day" kickstarters were on the right, so jiffy stand on the left?
Sammi
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Jiffy Stand ?
We in the US all drive on the right side of the road and the roads and streets are pretty much crowned with angle going towards the curb or road shoulder. This angle and pulling straight forward into the curb or shoulder means the center of the road is now somewhat uphill to your left.
Most of us then turn the front of the bike towards the uphill angle at about 45* and kick out the stand... It being on the left and the way a Harley leans to the left compensates for the roads pitch.
If the stand was on the right... It would have to be made longer to compensate for being towards the lowest side of the incline.
Bikes with centerstands only have to find a very level area to park or at least park at a 90* angle so the bike won't lean.
SO Harley and even plain old bicycles have stands mounted on the left side to compensate for the road/street pitch as we all in the US drive on the right....
Most of us then turn the front of the bike towards the uphill angle at about 45* and kick out the stand... It being on the left and the way a Harley leans to the left compensates for the roads pitch.
If the stand was on the right... It would have to be made longer to compensate for being towards the lowest side of the incline.
Bikes with centerstands only have to find a very level area to park or at least park at a 90* angle so the bike won't lean.
SO Harley and even plain old bicycles have stands mounted on the left side to compensate for the road/street pitch as we all in the US drive on the right....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 4
From: Northern California
RE: Jiffy Stand ?
The Romans got it right. I checked with a few of them and they verified that them old horses were inclined to take a dump on the right side of the road. Now, you wouldn't want to put your feet in that stuff while gettin' in the saddle, so they naturally mounted from the left...hence stands evolved to facilitate left side mounts.
Now, to the more practical point. When they got home, the ladies usually slept with their right side to the wall, which again facilitated a left side mount. So you see, much of this resulted in the left leaning proclivities of our European betters.
I hope this clarifies things...
Now, to the more practical point. When they got home, the ladies usually slept with their right side to the wall, which again facilitated a left side mount. So you see, much of this resulted in the left leaning proclivities of our European betters.
I hope this clarifies things...
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 355
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From:
RE: Jiffy Stand ?
Bultaco's and 64 Pan Heads
ORIGINAL: AcidRayn
the best answer i ever got for this question was simple, (and i have owned bikes with brake pedals on the left and shiters on the right, "bultaco" comes to mind first), and also, dont foget suicide shift bikes that had a clutch pedal on the left side,
the best answer i ever got for this question was simple, (and i have owned bikes with brake pedals on the left and shiters on the right, "bultaco" comes to mind first), and also, dont foget suicide shift bikes that had a clutch pedal on the left side,
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 355
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From:
RE: Jiffy Stand ?
In Texas, you mount your Harley the same way you mount your horse, from behind with a running start.
I kind of like mounting my women from behind as well. Kind of hard to break thousands of years worth of tradition.
I kind of like mounting my women from behind as well. Kind of hard to break thousands of years worth of tradition.
ORIGINAL: Ghosty
I believe the jiffy stand being on the left on Harleys and most all other brands of bikes stems from mounting a horse from the left side. Most folks get on thier bike from the left with the notable exception of LEO's. It is easier to mount a bike from the low side therefore the jiffy stand was placed on the left side of most bikes. Ya think???
[IMG]local://upfiles/30695/A42FC2411EDD49BD804096635C4E1050.jpg[/IMG]
I believe the jiffy stand being on the left on Harleys and most all other brands of bikes stems from mounting a horse from the left side. Most folks get on thier bike from the left with the notable exception of LEO's. It is easier to mount a bike from the low side therefore the jiffy stand was placed on the left side of most bikes. Ya think???
[IMG]local://upfiles/30695/A42FC2411EDD49BD804096635C4E1050.jpg[/IMG]
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi.
RE: Jiffy Stand ?
hmmmmm....i know im kind of a newbie here but.....
if you stop your bike and have your right foot on thebrake, then lift your left footto put thejiffy stand down.........you gotta have one hell of a good scence of balance dont ya?
if you stop your bike and have your right foot on thebrake, then lift your left footto put thejiffy stand down.........you gotta have one hell of a good scence of balance dont ya?
ORIGINAL: beemer737
Cause if they were on the right everyone would drop the bike to the left when parking...
Cause the foot brake is on the right? Need your foot on brake when you lean the bike over?
Cause leaning right would make oil level checks even more complicated?
Interesting question...
Cause if they were on the right everyone would drop the bike to the left when parking...
Cause the foot brake is on the right? Need your foot on brake when you lean the bike over?
Cause leaning right would make oil level checks even more complicated?
Interesting question...