Two-items Valve stems & Center stand

[pf10015]

Can any of my brethren help me with the following:

(1) The exact diameter of the valve stem opening in a stock R1100S Rim? I own a 2002 and would like to replace the current cracked stems with 90-degree stems.

(2) I am 60 yrs old, 69.5-inches and 180-pounds. I purchased my machine after years of wanting this particular model and after owning and riding a Vespa PX200 The immediate problem is it is very difficult for me to get the bike up on the center stand. It is an abject embarrassment and has subjected me to much derision from family and other riders. Any suggestions?
Thanx

[turboflyer]

One might weld a short extension on to the center stand arm to give you more leverage. At the extreme end possibly the motorized RT stand could be retrofitted. Or one could just go to a regular detached stand like Pit Bull or make your own.

[Bob Hancock]

It just may be your technique. Put your foot on the centerstand pad, right the bike and get the pad centered. Then lift a bit with one hand on the handlebar and the other on whatever you can grab at the rear (luggage rack is perfect if yours is fitted for system cases). Put your weight down solid on your foot that's on the pad. Give it a lift all together....it's kind of a timing thing. It should come up pretty easy. Your 180 lbs is plenty if you do it right unless you are physically impaired in some way. I can do it with my 210lbs but most of that is fat in my head.

I have valve stems that fit the bike but don't remember what size it is. The recess that fits into the wheel hole mics 15mm and it says "A TR 412" on the inside. Hope this helps.

[cageyar]

Originally Posted by pf10015

I am 60 yrs old, 69.5-inches and 180-pounds. I purchased my machine after years of wanting this particular model and after owning and riding a Vespa PX200 The immediate problem is it is very difficult for me to get the bike up on the center stand. It is an abject embarrassment and has subjected me to much derision from family and other riders. Any suggestions?

I've showed riders smaller than you how to put a 750 lb. Honda Gold Wing on the center stand. Your issue is you are trying to lift the bike with your hand and back.
When you do it correctly, you are not lifting with your hand. Your leg is much stronger than your arm. The key is to place your foot on the center stand tab and drive straight down with your leg while lightly pulling the bike to the rear with your hands-one under the seat area and of course one with the handlebar. Most of the effort should be in your leg and very little lifting force in your hand-your hand should only be directing the bike. When done correctly, I can put a Gold Wing on the center stand with two fingers of my right hand. Push with your leg and direct with your hands-do not lift with your hands and back.

[pf10015]

Thanks to turboflyer, Bob and cageyar. There is no doubt my technique is incorrect. I believe I will have my Son stand on the rightside to hold the bike up in case I lose it and I will simply practice!

[cageyar]

Originally Posted by pf10015

Thanks to turboflyer, Bob and cageyar. There is no doubt my technique is incorrect. I believe I will have my Son stand on the rightside to hold the bike up in case I lose it and I will simply practice!

Drive down with your leg-don't lift with your hand and the bike will pop right up on the stand.

[PFFOG]

What cageyar said, start with arms and back straight, leg bent. One hand on bars, one hand on lift point. Use leg muscles only, simply stand on the center stand with all your weight, then straighten leg. Easy as pie.

On my 04 stems are the 11.3mm size. I got them from here http://kurveygirl.com/shop/index.php?cPath=27.

If your rims have the rib that runs around the center and intersects the stem area, you will need to use a dremmel or similar tool to make a slot in the stem to fit. Caution, front ane rear ribs are different, and require different groves.

[moze229]

Originally Posted by cageyar

I've showed riders smaller than you how to put a 750 lb. Honda Gold Wing on the center stand. Your issue is you are trying to lift the bike with your hand and back.
When you do it correctly, you are not lifting with your hand. Your leg is much stronger than your arm. The key is to place your foot on the center stand tab and drive straight down with your leg while lightly pulling the bike to the rear with your hands-one under the seat area and of course one with the handlebar. Most of the effort should be in your leg and very little lifting force in your hand-your hand should only be directing the bike. When done correctly, I can put a Gold Wing on the center stand with two fingers of my right hand. Push with your leg and direct with your hands-do not lift with your hands and back.

I concur with this statement by cageyar. I'm 6'1 and only 160 lbs. and I can do it easily. I was a little intimidated of the whole thing myself at first, but it's really easy once you do it. You're actually doing more pushing with your leg than you are lifting the bike.

What I do is get the bike on the sidestand first. Then standing next to the bike, hold it straight up and get the center stand down where it's simply touching the ground so you can tell where the bike is standing straight up. Once you got your foot down on the stand, you don't have to worry about the bike falling too much at that point since it's being held in check by the stand. Then push down with your leg on the stand while holding on to the bars with your left hand and grappling "underneath the seat" area of the bike with your left hand and slightly pulling up.

Matt

[signit98]

I used to be able to get the 11S onto the center stand by just pushing on the foot tab... that was with the shorter Torque arm, though...

[ckcarr]

Originally Posted by signit98

I used to be able to get the 11S onto the center stand by just pushing on the foot tab... that was with the shorter Torque arm, though...

You're a leadfoot I hear.

[signit98]

LOL... who snitched?

[Guest24]

It's really hard to put it on the center stand wearing flip-flops.

[sgoodwin]

Longer shocks such as Ohlins or sport shocks also make it easier to put on centerstand (even with flops), not to mention handling improvements.