The Center Stand
This is a "must have"item on your Nighthawk.
- There isn't a lot to maintain on a center stand, just keep it
clean, and lube the hinges every now and then.
- Since it does bear weight when used, check it occsionally to
insure that there are no cracks developing
- Also check the mounting hardware to insure that it remains
within factory torque specifications (or at least tight, for those
of you without a torque wrench!).
BUT HOW DO I USE THE DAMN THING? THAT'S
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW, ISN'T IT!!!
The center stand is one piece of equipment that frustrates many
new bikers. It seemed so easy to do when you watched the person at
the dealership do it. Why then, are you having so much trouble? I've
been there myself. I've tried it all; tugging hard on the handlebars,
pushing extra hard on the center stand (hurt my ankle doing that),
jerking the bike, trust me, I know every wrong way to do it. I was so
bad, I even dropped my bike into a brick planter and dented the gas
tank while attempting to get it up on the stand. Well, once you know
how to do it properly, it's ridiculously simple. Here's the secret:
- Insure your front wheel is straight
- Put your left hand on the handlbar (this is more for stability
than pulling).
- Put your right hand somewhere on the rear of the bike where
you can lift up, either under the rear seat area, or on a grab
rail, basically somewhere near the rear where you can lift.
- Carefully move the bike off of the side stand and straighten
it up.
- Put your right foot on the center stand "foot pad"
- Lower the center stand with your right foot until both sides
are touching the ground.
- Apply firm pressure with your foot to the center stand (you
don't need to jump or bounce, your body weight alone should be
sufficient).
- This will start the bike rocking back on the center stand. As
it is rocking back, lift with your right hand. The bike will then
set down on that center stand as easy as can be.
- Some bikes may tend to lift the front tire of the ground a
bit, but just maintain control until it comes back down.
- There are minor variations on the above, but it's a good
guideline. For me, I found it easier to pause at the point where
the foot pressure stops moving the bike backwards and up, then
shift all of my weight to the footpad while lifting with my right
hand.
- Read it through a few times, then try it. Once you 've done it
correctly, you'll be amazed at how simple it was.