The centerstand is ideal for oil changes and is one of the big advantages of having one.
The bike is level and a bit higher off the floor.
Anyone Install A Center Stand On A Bonneville?
- Thread starter Ed Murphy
- Start date
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The bike is level and a bit higher off the floor.
Ed, if they are still available on E-Bay, there are lifting handles for the Bonneville, that bolt onto the top of the rear shock and the frame under the saddle. I have this on my '12 and it makes getting it on the centerstand much easier, especially since I put a rear rack on the bike which made it much harder to grab the rear frame rail, due to it reducing the clearance. I just get the handlebars straight, put my right foot on the centerstand pad, grab the handle and pull back while putting all my weight on the pad. Not too hard a job, even for my, umm, err, ahh "advanced" years.
Jim
Jim
Ed Murphy
Member
Agreed. Maybe someone at Triumph will see this thread and add a center stand to the next gen.
So, you're saying that you are able to change the oil whilst the bike is on the stand? That would make it even more useful.
As I said above, it's ideal for that.
Ed Murphy
Member
Thanks again, Jim. I see them on eBay for the T100. Might it fit the Bonnie base model?
Yeah, I hear ya on the age... I turn 75 in 6 weeks and my back isn't what it was in younger years, but I'm sure w. the right Tai Chi move
I'll have no problem w. the center stand.
Hi, Ed: I don't know about the '14; but maybe you can ask the seller. It only uses the shock bolt and the clamp around the frame rail, though.Yep, for me it's spinal stenosis and a knee going bad..........trying to put off any surgery until it's absolutely necessary, but I think that the day is coming sooner than I like. Hang in there is all I can say.
Jim
Jim
Ed Murphy
Member
Ouch, Jim... good luck w. the operation. Most likely the knee pain is related to it. I've got a crooked spine, but daily yoga and monthly visits to a great chiropractor has kept me loose. BTW, your moniker on this site doesn't seem to fit you. Just a thought
Thanks, Ed: I'm doing the chair yoga bit at my local senior center, along with arthritis tai-chi and a chiropractor, but the knee is going to bone on bone and the spine has a lot of arthritis in it as well. Trying to lose some weight and get more active to strengthen what's left. Always looking and hoping for some new procedures that'll be less invasive..........who knows? I keep "hanging in there", but sometimes I think it's by my THUMBS!!
Jim
Jim
Ed Murphy
Member
It sounds like you're doing some good things, and since tai-chi and yoga deal with 'energy', I'll send you some positive healing energy for the knee and spine. A healing intention is often instantaneous, even if the 'effects' take some time. Hang in there.
You "kids" need to get over yourselves.
I'm coming up on 80 and can easily yank the Bonnie up onto the stand.
Just kidding of course. Men our ages are blessed to still be doing this.
Keep on keepin' on, enjoy and ride safe
I'm coming up on 80 and can easily yank the Bonnie up onto the stand.
Just kidding of course. Men our ages are blessed to still be doing this.
Keep on keepin' on, enjoy and ride safe
I'm posting this just for the sake of interest.
I have a Baxley chock that comes in quite handy if I want to raise the rear of the bike.
I roll the bike into the clock and then raise the rear with a paddock stand.
The bike is very stable and I can do down under whatever I need to do.
But most of the time the centerstand is good enough.
I have a Baxley chock that comes in quite handy if I want to raise the rear of the bike.
I roll the bike into the clock and then raise the rear with a paddock stand.
The bike is very stable and I can do down under whatever I need to do.
But most of the time the centerstand is good enough.
Ed Murphy
Member
Rocky, Amazing! Are you really nearing 80... and still riding? Good for you!You "kids" need to get over yourselves.
I'm coming up on 80 and can easily yank the Bonnie up onto the stand.
Just kidding of course. Men our ages are blessed to still be doing this.
Keep on keepin' on, enjoy and ride safe
I don't know where I read it, on one of the bike groups when I had my Kawasaki 850, but it was telling of an 81 year old guy who rode his m/c from Mass. down to Austin to visit a relative. On his way back he got stopped by a cop for speeding. When the cop saw his WWII plate and birth date on his lic, he waved him on, wishing him good luck. This guy's been my inspiration.
Ed Murphy
Member
They look like great devices, but I've got space constraints in my 1-car garage which doubles as a painting, metal work, wood work, stained glass studio. LOL
Gary
Member
I put a center stand on my bike almost immediately after I purchased it new in 2003, when I was 14 years younger than now and in far better physical condition and without subsequent shoulder and back injuries. It was as some said earlier - takes substantial effort and excellent technique. Now I find it impossible to get the bike on the center stand by myself; its just poorly designed and it always took far too much effort to use. I have had many other bikes that weighed as much or more that were far easier to raise on their center stand - in fact, many simply required standing on the center stand lever and a gentle pull backwards.
Now I am not a pussy! My primary ride is a 2017 Harley Street Glide Special that weighs in at over 1,000 lbs. wet, not counting the 30-40 lbs. of stuff in the saddlebags (panniers for you non-USA types). It takes a lot of muscle to handle at parking lot speeds. Tip it just a degree or two too much sideways and you better have above average leg and arm strength or you'll drop it and do thousands of dollars in damage.
I have a cycle jack in my garage with which I can lift the entire Bonneville. On the road if I need to us the Bonnie's center stand, I will have to ask for help. In 14 years I have never needed the center stand.
My advice is to skip the center stand and save your money for gas. Over the years I have purchased just about every available Triumph or aftermarket accessory - the very best buy was a custom seat cover of sheared black sheepskin from someone in New Zealand about 12 years ago.
Now I am not a pussy! My primary ride is a 2017 Harley Street Glide Special that weighs in at over 1,000 lbs. wet, not counting the 30-40 lbs. of stuff in the saddlebags (panniers for you non-USA types). It takes a lot of muscle to handle at parking lot speeds. Tip it just a degree or two too much sideways and you better have above average leg and arm strength or you'll drop it and do thousands of dollars in damage.
I have a cycle jack in my garage with which I can lift the entire Bonneville. On the road if I need to us the Bonnie's center stand, I will have to ask for help. In 14 years I have never needed the center stand.
My advice is to skip the center stand and save your money for gas. Over the years I have purchased just about every available Triumph or aftermarket accessory - the very best buy was a custom seat cover of sheared black sheepskin from someone in New Zealand about 12 years ago.
I had the dealer install one on my T100. I have to practice getting it on the stand, but I like it.
When I mentioned "technique" earlier this is what I meant.
The bike is pretty heavy and the centerstand isn't ideally located to give you much mechanical leverage.
You need to give it a really good strong heave and all in one motion to get it done.
Don't be a "girlie man," heave it up and back at the same time.
If you can't get it "over the top" the first few times, don't strain your back and try to muscle it over unless you're up to it.
Set the bike back on its wheels, take a breath, and start over.
With some practice you will get onto it fine I'm sure.
VABird
Well-Known Member
Jack-Be-Quick has been making lifting brackets that stay mounted on the bike for a few years now for Thunderbirds, R3s and Tiger 1050s.
Considering the expense and bulkiness of a centerstand, would there be enough interest in a similar lifting bracket for the Bonneville line? Pricepoint likely under $100. Being permanently mounted has the advantage of being usable at any shop that has a jack (away from home).
Considering the expense and bulkiness of a centerstand, would there be enough interest in a similar lifting bracket for the Bonneville line? Pricepoint likely under $100. Being permanently mounted has the advantage of being usable at any shop that has a jack (away from home).
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That Canyon Chasers guy makes it look easy! I had a center stand installed on my brand new Street Twin in April/May 2017, and to date I haven't gotten up the courage to try it. I'd like to have a helper with me in case it starts to tip over. But this video makes it look so simple, I might have to gather my courage and try it!
