On the Valk, the trick I have learned on the Valk is both pushing down on the centerstand arm and pulling up on the grab rail. It isn't easy, but it isn't really hard either...once you have the technique down. The hardest thing for me is to remember that you need to use the arm to roll the stand under the bike.

Hope this helps.

Joe

P.S. I just made the task of putting the Valk on the centerstand harder by cutting down the arm. I put floorboards on the back of the Valk and the centerstand was hitting the boards and scraped the ground when I turned left. So, I took 2 " out of the arm. It makes putting the bike on the stand much harder, but I am still able to do it.

 

Hey no problem, just ride it on over here and I'll help you with that. before I can help you I will need to test ride the bike to get a good feel for it. (Then we can both push and pull and throw our backs out. :lol: )

 

First, recruit the help of another Wing owner until you learn how to do it. Have the other rider stand on the right side to catch the bike if it goes too far right. A hard sole boot helps.

Use your left hand on the left grip to balance the bike. Lean the bike vertical so both feet of the center stand are touching the floor. With your right foot, stand on the center stand arm. If you don’t weigh enough to lift the bike, pull up with your right hand to make yourself weigh more. Don’t think of it as lifting the bike; just make yourself weigh more by pulling up. Don’t try to jerk the bike up, use steady pressure.

If you are really scrawny, roll the back tire up on a one inch piece of wood to give yourself a head start. The wood may be necessary for anyone when the back tire is flat.
Al

 

It is kinda hard to explain but you need to try to push the stand under the bike more so than to try to pick up the bike. Try to roll the bike to the rear as you push on the stand.

 

Hey....I'm little(5' 5") and scrawny(maybe 125lbs) and I can get MY Wing (1985, 1200) on the centerstand!!!!

Like "Capt" says, it's more like you try to roll the centerstand under the bike with a slight lifting action by the upper body. It's a many time practiced lift.

Wearing the proper footwear is a really big help. Sneakers just don't do it!! A good hard-soled boot is the proper footwear. :wink:

Bullzeyet

 

Hey no problem, just ride it on over here and I'll help you with that. before I can help you I will need to test ride the bike to get a good feel for it. (Then we can both push and pull and throw our backs out. :lol: )

LOL...how many geezers does it take to put a bike on the center stand? Four, two to put the bike on the stand, and 2 to take us to the hospital afterwards.

And, I did put my riding boots on, and pushed down on the stand while lifting/pulling on the bike. I probably do not have it upright enough. I will try it when I have a spare set of hands available.

I am scared to death of dumping it in the garage, and the subsequent posting of such a embarassing event in this forum.

 

Hey no problem, just ride it on over here and I'll help you with that. before I can help you I will need to test ride the bike to get a good feel for it. (Then we can both push and pull and throw our backs out. :lol: )

LOL...how many geezers does it take to put a bike on the center stand? Four, two to put the bike on the stand, and 2 to take us to the hospital afterwards.

And, I did put my riding boots on, and pushed down on the stand while lifting/pulling on the bike. I probably do not have it upright enough. I will try it when I have a spare set of hands available.

I am scared to death of dumping it in the garage, and the subsequent posting of such a embarassing event in this forum.

So, if you dump it, just dont tell anyone. Saves you some embarassment.

 

Well if you are like me? When I had my old Venture as the years piled up (mine) I got so I could not put it on the center stand by myself, so I would just ask (you notice I said ask) the wife to help, between the two of us it wasn't that hard, just my skinny little ole butt couldn't do it alone :roll: :lol: :wink:

 

I am scared to death of dumping it in the garage, and the subsequent posting of such a embarrassing event in this forum.

I was intimidated at first as well. But, here's the trick:

1) Put the bike on its side stand to start with.
2) Make sure the ground is level ... trying to get the bike up on its center stand on a slight uphill incline is hard
3) Lower the center stand with your boot until the near side side stand foot is on the ground, then gently rock the bike up until both center stand feet are in contact with the pavement. The bike is not on its center stand at this time ... the center stand is merely down and touching the pavement. As long as you have pressure down on the center stand and both its feet are on the pavement, it won't go over on you. The bike is actually quite stable in this state.
4) Put your full weight on the center stand lever while pulling up on the passenger handle grip. This is where you need good solid shoes ... I tried doing this in slippers and damn near broke my foot.
5) When coming off the center stand, be on the bike. Don't try to bring it off the center stand while standing next to the bike. I tried that once and it almost did go over on me.

You'll get it ... it takes a time or two to get the hang of it. For me the key that unlocked this was discovering just how stable the bike was when I had the center stand down with both its feet in contact with the pavement (step #3 above). That gave me the confidence to know the bike wasn't going over on me. Then I could put my full weight/strength into it.

It's never easy ... it always takes some "oomph." But it's not impossible. You can do it.

 

Find a wreck BMW with the hydraulic operated centerstand and adapt it?

 

I decided I wanted to see how to check the oil and coolant on the Wing, so I pulled out the manual and it tells you to have the bike on the center stand first.

OK

So I stand my scrawny ass alongside it, put my foot on the center stand arm, grab the passenger handhold as directed, and heave with all my might. Other than a momentary surge of adrenalin, nothing. The bike did not move.

There must be a trick to that, right?

Don't pull the bike up so much as guide it up; the major work will be done by pushing down on the center stand's pedal. You can't lift a 900lb bike. The center stand will pivot it up. You have to be standing next to the bike with the bike vertical so that both legs of the center stand touch the ground.

 

Watch this video. I found it on YouTube. Pay attention to when he speaks about "don't try to lift the bike" and "use your leg muscles". He gets this woman to do it first try.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lDNqCMNau9A

 

What TucsonDon said +1

With one exception. Right up front raise the preset on the suspension to the maximum height. It will go up alot easier.

 

Circles....you just had to tell him a little known secret....didn't YOU!!!! :shock: :lol: :lol: Yep, that helps some.

OH by the way, there are air or hydraulic center stands for most of the Wings made. A little costly but if you got a lot of medical issues (or old age) it's a pretty good item for a birthday/Christmas surprise. :wink:

Bullzeyet

 

There must be a trick to that, right?

Danno:

I think the problem is that your past the age of owning a Wing so its time to go back to the ACE and give me the dang Wing. Heck I will even let you ride bitch with me. If that doesn't seem to fit your plans then I will be glad to lend you some ass. Lord knows I have enough for us both.

All joking aside these big bikes take time to get used to so don't hammer yourself to hard. I strained to get my bike stood up till a buddy showed me a trick - Turn the dang wheel right and stand it up. Works great. On a center stand, I have seen guys heave them up without problems. How they do it I do not know but I bet there is a trick to that as well.

Chris