Chapter M-2's Technical Corner

Howard Halasz's September 2008 Technical Article


"CENTERSTANDS"

In our Honda Gold Wing owner's manual, nowhere is it shown how to put our Gold Wings on their center stands. I've seen people who weigh well over 200 pounds end up dropping their Gold Wing in an attempt to put it on the center stand.

I weigh about 125 pounds, and if I can put a Gold Wing on its center stand, anyone can, assuming that the tires and wheels are not too small or worn out. Undersize tires and aftermarket rear shock absorbers that are too short will make it rather difficult to put a Gold Wing on its center stand. I presently own a 1994 Gold Wing GL 1500 Aspencade and a 1977 Gold Wing. The ’94 Aspencade goes up on the center stand with little effort, but the ’77 Wing requires a special procedure, which I demonstrated at Wing Ding 30. The 77 Wing is 31 years old, and after 31 years, the rear springs have relaxed. The relaxation of the rear springs causes the rear end of the ’77 Wing to sit lower than it did in 1977. It also has saddlebags and a rather large Califia trunk. So with the older Gold Wings that might not have as well a designed center stand as our newer GL 1500s and 1800s, I recommend rolling the rear wheel up onto a piece of 1/2 inch plywood. Now the rear end will sit a half inch higher, making it much easier to raise it up on the center stand. Then don’t forget to pick up the piece of plywood when you’re done center standing your Gold Wing. (I forgot to pick up the piece of plywood at my Wing Ding center stand demo, and almost dropped my ’77 Wing, right after it won first place in the GL 1000 Stock Class bike show!!)

Here's how little 125 pound teensy weensy Howard does it:

1. First of all, it is important to make sure that the transmission is in neutral. The Gold Wing must move slightly rearward when raising it up on the center stand. If the transmission is in gear, the rear wheel will not roll slightly rearward, making the job a little more difficult.

2. I hold the Gold Wing upright and press lightly down on the center stand foot lever. Then I rock the Gold Wing slightly left and right until I can feel both center stand feet on the ground. Then I put all my 125 pound weight on that foot lever while pulling gently up on the grip to the left of the passenger seat. Now the Gold Wing easily rolls up onto the center stand.

3. To get the Gold Wing off the center stand, I make sure the kickstand is up. If the kickstand is down, I can easily lose my balance if the kickstand hits the ground before the rear wheel does, and I’ll end up dropping the Gold Wing on its right side. Then I make sure that there is nothing blocking both front and rear wheels, such as a two-by-four, glass beer bottle, brick, or other types of debris. This is very important because if a wheel hits something other than the pavement while coming off the center stand, it could throw me off balance and I’ll end up dropping the Gold Wing. Once again, I make sure that the transmission is in neutral. If it is in gear, it could put unwanted stress on the transmission, reverse gear, or drive train when that rear wheel hits the ground. Then I sit on the seat, shift my weight back, and then forward rather forcefully. As the Gold Wing rocks and then rolls off of the center stand, I make sure that both of my feet are on the ground.

4. If the center stand shows any sign of weakness, don't use it. You're better off replacing it with a genuine factory replacement part rather than trying to repair it. I don't recommend any kind of aftermarket center stand. Chrome plated center stands tend to lose their hardness during the chroming process.

5. Make sure that your center stand springs and kickstand springs have enough tension to hold them in place. If you have any doubts, replace them with genuine factory replacement springs. Make sure the springs are hooked to the frame and stands correctly.

6. NEVER NEVER EVER try to weld cracked or damaged center stands and side stands. Welding heat will soften the hardened steel and the repaired stands will fatigue in a short period of time.

Howard Halasz, Chapter M2 Technical Coordinator

GWRRA #26650