kickstand worries
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
One quirk to the HD jiffy stands is that you can pop the spring off if you hit a curb/bump wrong. Just hppens sometimes. Our RK's and EG's have all had that vulnerability over the years. Just goes with the territory. Buy a spare jiffy stand spring (about $8) and carry it and a leatherman tool in your kit. Practice leaning your bike over (gently) with a friend and taking the spring off and putting back on, and then getting the bike back up on its wheels. It can be done solo, and without too much difficulty (gotta practice, though). Will save you grief if you ever pop it off when riding somewhere by yourself.
If you don't have a jack or some way of blocking it up, a buddy holding the bike up straight works too.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 974
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake Virginia
An easy way to install the jiffy return spring is to remove the retaining nut and pull the arm out of the pivot bracket. You can then easily remove/install the spring without any tension. Reinstall the arm in the bracket and tighten the nut.
If you don't have a jack or some way of blocking it up, a buddy holding the bike up straight works too.
If you don't have a jack or some way of blocking it up, a buddy holding the bike up straight works too.
The locking pawl has an angle on the end so make sure the long side is to the rear. This makes it so when deploying the stand it stops when it is all the way forward and ready to lay the bike over on to it.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 974
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake Virginia
I always put the stand up before riding off.
I always put the stand down before leaning the bike over
I always put the bike in neutral before pushing the start button.
I always put my riding glasses on before riding off.
I always latch my tour pack latches before riding off.
I always used to turn the key switch to the off position.
With all of the always I did or do I have:
Replaced 3 coils and batteries from leaving the key in the on position (high dollar SUCKS).
Dropped the bike with the stand up.
Sounded like a cow going down the road because the kickstand was down and ringing on the pavement.
Took a few pucker seconds to decide my battery was not dead because it was in gear when I pushed the start button.
Had to go back home because my eyes were watering and my Ray Bans were on the workbench.
Latch the tour pack lid at speed because I heard it thumping on bumps on the interstate.
Pulled of the curb with a passenger and had the bike spit and die from no fuel. (many times until I got an extended fuel bowl and was in third gear before it ran out).
All because after 30 years of riding I always check these things.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Harleys???? My 2012 Street Glide runs just fine in first gear with the kickstand down ....... YES, even after almost 40 years of riding, I do make those little errors occasionally, but it does fold up just like it's supposed to.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
I've never seen a Harley that shuts down when you put the jiffy stand down, even a new one.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 129
From: Black River Falls, WI.
I always used to turn the fuel petcock to on before riding away
I always put the stand up before riding off.
I always put the stand down before leaning the bike over
I always put the bike in neutral before pushing the start button.
I always put my riding glasses on before riding off.
I always latch my tour pack latches before riding off.
I always used to turn the key switch to the off position.
With all of the always I did or do I have:
Replaced 3 coils and batteries from leaving the key in the on position (high dollar SUCKS).
Dropped the bike with the stand up.
Sounded like a cow going down the road because the kickstand was down and ringing on the pavement.
Took a few pucker seconds to decide my battery was not dead because it was in gear when I pushed the start button.
Had to go back home because my eyes were watering and my Ray Bans were on the workbench.
Latch the tour pack lid at speed because I heard it thumping on bumps on the interstate.
Pulled of the curb with a passenger and had the bike spit and die from no fuel. (many times until I got an extended fuel bowl and was in third gear before it ran out).
All because after 30 years of riding I always check these things.
I always put the stand up before riding off.
I always put the stand down before leaning the bike over
I always put the bike in neutral before pushing the start button.
I always put my riding glasses on before riding off.
I always latch my tour pack latches before riding off.
I always used to turn the key switch to the off position.
With all of the always I did or do I have:
Replaced 3 coils and batteries from leaving the key in the on position (high dollar SUCKS).
Dropped the bike with the stand up.
Sounded like a cow going down the road because the kickstand was down and ringing on the pavement.
Took a few pucker seconds to decide my battery was not dead because it was in gear when I pushed the start button.
Had to go back home because my eyes were watering and my Ray Bans were on the workbench.
Latch the tour pack lid at speed because I heard it thumping on bumps on the interstate.
Pulled of the curb with a passenger and had the bike spit and die from no fuel. (many times until I got an extended fuel bowl and was in third gear before it ran out).
All because after 30 years of riding I always check these things.
Kris