Airhead GS Sidestand - Finally!

rwiles · 03-26-2011, 10:24 AM

Airheads are wonderful when they are moving- but a pain in the ass twhen they are stopped, unless you lean it against a barn. If it's a twin-shock Airhead, there are aftermarket fixes out there - Luftmeister and Brown, others - but for monoshock airhead owners, there ain't much available to ease your pain.

On an airhead GS, especially, the frame-pivot is too far forward; this not only makes it a pain for all people, and shorter-legged ones mostly, to confidently deploy the sidestand, but it can cause a tip-over if the bike is heavily-laden aft, and the sidestand foot settles a little. If you have a sidestand that does not sping back up, you run the risk of taking off with the stand down, and having a not-fun smack-down to the right. Or worse.

For the Aiurhead GS owners, there might be hope. Dean at Boxerworks Service (http://www.boxerworks-service.com/) can gin up a custom GS sidestand, using a Brown or Luftmeister (you may have to supply the donor sidestand). The pivot point is further aft, and the contact point is further out to the side and is much more stable.

But, a sidestand ending in 5/8" solid stock sinks into even seasoned asphalt, and there is always the risk of riding off with the stand in the down position.

So, here's my rig: A foot has been welded onto the sidestand, using angle stock. The upright portion of the angle stock has holes drilled in it, with which to fashion the safety bumper. The safety bumper is cut from an old tire carcass; if the rider begins riding with the stand down, the grabby but flexible safety bumber catches the ground at the beginning of a left direction-change and softly snaps the sidestand into the up position. This has been tested - works well. Got the idea from the Honda 250 Nighthawks we use in rider education.

There are no clearance issue for me (rear shock set for fairly low ride-height) when corner left. I've poked my toe down there when cornering left, and the safety bumber appaears to be over an inch above the pavement. And even if it touches, so what?
Pix attached.

rwiles · 03-26-2011, 10:25 AM

Pix 2/4

rwiles · 03-26-2011, 10:26 AM

pix 3/4

rwiles · 03-26-2011, 10:28 AM

Pix 4/4

03-26-2011, 10:24 AM	#1
rwiles ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Oddometer: 66	Airhead GS Sidestand - Finally! Airheads are wonderful when they are moving- but a pain in the ass twhen they are stopped, unless you lean it against a barn. If it's a twin-shock Airhead, there are aftermarket fixes out there - Luftmeister and Brown, others - but for monoshock airhead owners, there ain't much available to ease your pain. On an airhead GS, especially, the frame-pivot is too far forward; this not only makes it a pain for all people, and shorter-legged ones mostly, to confidently deploy the sidestand, but it can cause a tip-over if the bike is heavily-laden aft, and the sidestand foot settles a little. If you have a sidestand that does not sping back up, you run the risk of taking off with the stand down, and having a not-fun smack-down to the right. Or worse. For the Aiurhead GS owners, there might be hope. Dean at Boxerworks Service (http://www.boxerworks-service.com/) can gin up a custom GS sidestand, using a Brown or Luftmeister (you may have to supply the donor sidestand). The pivot point is further aft, and the contact point is further out to the side and is much more stable. But, a sidestand ending in 5/8" solid stock sinks into even seasoned asphalt, and there is always the risk of riding off with the stand in the down position. So, here's my rig: A foot has been welded onto the sidestand, using angle stock. The upright portion of the angle stock has holes drilled in it, with which to fashion the safety bumper. The safety bumper is cut from an old tire carcass; if the rider begins riding with the stand down, the grabby but flexible safety bumber catches the ground at the beginning of a left direction-change and softly snaps the sidestand into the up position. This has been tested - works well. Got the idea from the Honda 250 Nighthawks we use in rider education. There are no clearance issue for me (rear shock set for fairly low ride-height) when corner left. I've poked my toe down there when cornering left, and the safety bumber appaears to be over an inch above the pavement. And even if it touches, so what? Pix attached. Attached Images

03-26-2011, 10:25 AM	#2
rwiles ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Oddometer: 66	Airhead Sidestand Pix 2 Pix 2/4 Attached Images

03-26-2011, 10:26 AM	#3
rwiles ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Oddometer: 66	Airhead Sidestand Pix 3/4 pix 3/4 Attached Images

03-26-2011, 10:28 AM	#4
rwiles ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Oddometer: 66	Airhead Sidestand 4/4 Pix 4/4 Attached Images

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