'96 Voyager center stand question

[greycobra]

Bought the bike last summer and never really rode it. Tried the center stand twice and it worked fine. Put it on the side stand and let her sit.

Got the bike out to ride a week ago. Tried to put it on the center stand and the main stand will not move at all with first stage down. If both are in the up position all move freely. Hike the bike onto the first stage and the main stand will not budge.

I can't figure out what's wrong and hope someone here can help.

Thanks,

Dan

[debron]

Just a thought, but are you sure you don't have the first stage and second stage confused (ask me how I know!)? That is, the bar to the rear is the first stage. When I first got my XII, I had a a similar problem with the center stand until I realized I was putting the second stage down first!

[greycobra]

debron

No, I am using the stand in the correct order. The main stand is locked so tight in the up position I can't generate any perceptible movement with "starter stand" down.

You must be a big guy. My skinny little self can't even budge the bike with the main stand only.

[debron]

You must be a big guy. My skinny little self can't even budge the bike with the main stand only.

Nope, 5'9", 160lbs. And I couldn't get the bike up on the main stand either which is how I finally figured out I was doing it wrong!

[k7nutN7nut]

Reminds me of when I pulled the two '00's into the shop to swap engines, never seen a V XII or used it's centerstand!
Took me and my friend to "pull" it up on the stand, you know, the "old way"!?
IDIOT...I then watched a youtube video of a woman using the centerstand...boy did I feel dumb!
Sorry, have no advice, other than, check for corrosion since you said it worked before.

[doug of so fla]

Look under the XII where it is mounted, there are 2 bolts holding it to the frame one on each side. they have a double nut system and one sometimes comes loose and the nut & bolt can work out and you may have the stand twisted or jammed up in there. or it could have rusted up bad where the bolts mount it. It is not much of a job to take the whole assembly out to examine it. Most of the problems are from putting two much pressure on the large lever and bending it. The large lever is welded to a plate and that plate has to be excatly parrallel to the plate next to it. Take nuts & springs off while on side stand. You may have to move muffler bolts & clamps out of the way to get the side stand bolts out.

[Skibou]

I find the two stage centre stand a bit of a problem. Sometimes it works like a dream, and sometimes it takes all of my 175 lbs. weight and muscle force in my arms to get it to work. I have become nervous of the part where you balance the bike on the first stage before putting down the second stage since the time it tipped over and broke one of my fingers. Is there some magic trick that I'm missing? (On the plus side, from my wife's point of view, it has drastically reduced the annoyance caused by my futile attempts to learn the guitar.)

[jn1200]

http://www.amervoyassoc.org/XIITipsWP.htm

Instructions for center stand & pictures

[Chris near Kansas City]

I then watched a youtube video of a woman using the centerstand...

I can't really compete with a woman, but I like my video better.

I does sound like something is not right with the stand. When everything is in good working order, the only thing that can cause a problem is how much air is in the back shocks. If you can't get the bike onto the first stage, you'll never get the second stage to engage and pop the bike up on the stand.

[bikerking.biz]

http://www.amervoyassoc.org/XIITipsWP.htm

Instructions for center stand & pictures

Here is the specific page for those instructions:

http://www.amervoyassoc.org/XIITipsBody ... er%20Stand

[grumpin]

I find this centerstand hard to manipulate. I have a 2x4 by about six inches that I used to level my old KLR to check the oil. Popped it under the side stand and of course, it's no where near level. Then I put it in front of the rear tire and rolled the bike on it, then deployed the centerstand. Much better, handy little 2x4!

[grumpin]

OK, post, then watch the videos! Went back out and tried it the correct way, man that's easy!

[debron]

Gotta love those how-to videos!!