betrayed by a kickstand!

[montanarider]

I usually head off to work at about 4:45 am, I have 1 1/2 year old child so those of you with kids probably understand that the brain doesn't function to well in the AM. So I was cruising along enjoying the ride, then I hit a small bump which caused my trusty switchblade to rocket out my pocket onto the road. So I decided to pull over and try to find it, since there are no streetlights in the area I thought hey I'll just use my headlights. I made it about 20 steps away from my 3month old shiny scoot when it fell over(soft shoulder). Nothing major just a few scratches and a brake handle that looks like it came off a long horn steer. I wanted to buy new handles so it's not a huge deal, the scratches are small but deep but I think I'll be able to fix them if I can find matching paint. I think from now on I'll be using the center stand all the time. I also lost the knife.

[dademoss]

montanarider:
I have had that happen once or twice myself daggon soft spots they should put signs up to mark them, mine ell over in front of a grave yard when i was getting a picture for a scooter tag game the local club plays here

[jct842]

one thing that makes these things go down is there is no resistance to rolling like there would be in a motorcycle left in gear. my brand new carino almost hit the ground yesterday but i did catch it. I put the stand down on ground that was pitched down and forward. I still use the side stand in my cycle garage as I purposely pitched the cement to aid backing out a heavy bike. In 12 feet it rises about 2 inchs so a scooter can not roll forward. john

[oldchopperguy]

Yup...

One thng the Chinese have NOT mastered is the "jiffy-stand". I guess Asians and Europeans use the center stands almost exclusively, but we AMERICANS like our side stands! Somebody needs to show the workers' paradise that a side stand is supposed to stick WAY out to the side, LOCK in place as the bike is leaned WAY over against it, and the stand and the wheels become a reliable tripod.

Simple enough, just examine a Harley, or an old Cushman like the General rides... Center stands are OK for maintenance, but, HEY, they look goofy: like the bike is constipated and trying to relieve itself... Bikes always look "right" leaning way over on the jiffy-stand, front wheel cocked off to the right. It's just the American way! AMERICANS want GOOD, SOLID side stands!

'Nuff said...

Leo in Texas

[Rebel]

Amen and pass the ammunition brother Leo.

[oldchopperguy]

Jr,

Guess I better get at it! However, I won't trust the side stand most places anyway. Even a neighborhood cat jumping on the seat from the left can send the scoot over on its ear... Not to mention the local rugrats who are charmed by the little bike and jump onto the seat any old way they can. If it lands on one of them, it's lawsuit time...

Some day, I think I'll scrounge an old Harley side stand and weld a mount for it on "Lil' Bubba". He'd look swell leaning over at a really PROPER 30-degree angle, AMERICAN style!

In the mean time, anywhere I park in Texas, I can always find a flattened beer can to harden the dirt resting place!

Enjoy the new scoot!

Leo

PS: It was great talking to you the other day!

[Rebel]

A flattened beer can, now that's in my budget. Who wants to help empty them?

[jct842]

i used to carry a piece of 3/8 plywood maybe 6 inchs sq. when I had my gold wing, have had it sink into a seemingly solid ground and bike go over onto the bumper. it never went all the way but to get a gold wing back upright from leaning on the back bumper will pop your hemroids for sure.

[astroprof]

I carry a 4" square of plywood. Most of the bikers around here agree with Rebel and use smashed beer cans.

[Rocketdog]

Jul 18, 2009 3:35:02 GMT -5 Rebel said:

A flattened beer can, now that's in my budget. Who wants to help empty them?

RD <----- Raises both hands>