center stand for lowered bike

[old Al]

Hello all. I have been reading this forum for awhile now and for the first time ever signed up on any forum. I have been ridding for almost 40 years and am selling my 2004 FJR 1300,with 32000 great mi.on it, and have been riding my 2007 F800ST for the past month. Now for the question, has any one found out why BMW is not making a center stand for this lowered bike? I just came back from my dealer and it looks as if the standard one ,with some careful cutting and welding can be made to work.
Tks

[bikebits]

It's possible there might be cornering clearance issues with a centre stand on a lowered bike.

[old Al]

That is what i have been told but it just does not look that way when you look at the stand and move the bottom up about 1.5 in. nothing seems to be in danger of scraping. I may just have to spend the money and find out.

[MechE]

Have you done the conversion? If so, any issues?

[avboden]

I ride an F800S and am about to get the Hyperpro 40mm lowering springs. I'm not sure if this is any what the same as the ST. I own a centerstand so I will be trying it once the bike is lowered. I'm a fairly proficient welder as well so if any modifications are required i'll be sure to make a "how-to" for it.

I'll let ya'll know when its done!

[stainman]

Be aware that if you have the BMW lowering kit there is a shorter side stand available.

[cjboden]

Just finished the Hyperpro lowered set for the F800S bike. Is the "problem" with the lowered BMW bike specific to the ST or is it supposed to exist for a lowered S? We have a stock center stand on the bike and it seems to work fine. As to riding, the left foot peg will hit just before the center stand on a significant lean. Should Andrew get into leaning that far, I will be proud of him! On the right side there is absolutely no clearance issue at any lean angle. Does anyone know if BMW, when it offers the lowered versions is using a progressive rate spring, front and back or not? This would appear critical to not bottoming out from lowered, and still having a maximally controllable and comfortable ride.

[old Al]

cjboden how much did you lower the bike? how hard is it to lift the bike with the std center stand? did you need a shorter side stand? could you post some pix of the left side with you on the bike? my lowered st has the factory lowering and the suspension is nice and stiff,but i do not believe BMW would use progressive springs. i have always had a hard time understanding why they have not and will not offer a lowered center stand, one can only hope it is a financial thing.
Allen

[avboden]

old Al, (ps i'm cjboden's son, its my bike)

The bike was lowered a full inch with the new springs. Lifting the bike onto the centerstand is hard but really not too bad. I can do it with some effort however I am also only 130 pounds. Also, the stock side stand works just fine, no need for a shorter one.

I'll snap some pictures next time i'm in the garage.

[old Al]

hi cjboden. tks for the ans. if the stand does not hit why not have a good welding shop remove the extra one in.? i will probably buy a std. stand next and have it cut down. your info was very helpful. i will have to wait about another 4 weeks before i can start on that project but it is the next thing after i get the bike back with the new mirror extenders and PIAA lights from Ezy-Mount.
Allen

[avboden]

I may eventually take off a little length from the centerstand. I'm actually a fairly good welder and would do it myself. Currently the extra length does not bother me. It is a lil harder to get the bike up but it puts it up a good height to work on the bike.

Hope it works for you! Having a centerstand is well worth the effort.