Kickstands....eh?

Ok, so first thing I noticed about my VF500 when I got it up and running, was that shifting was a pain in the ass due to the kickstand being completely in the way of my foot placement when shifting. Here's a pic:



Ignore the bent linkage, I've straightened it out since. It hasn't changed the position much of the shifter, and to be honest, I haven't really found any adjustments that are comfortable, that get the shifter away from the stand.

Now, here's a pic from APittslife and his stand:




Look at how much further back the mounting point is on his. The entire assembly is further back. I took a look to see if mine was adjustable, and nope. Welded to the frame. If any of you guys have a second, do me a favor? Snap a pic and post it here of your kickstand/shifter area. Trying to see what the deal is, here. Did Honda change the mounting point? Mine in an '86. I'm close to grinding the welds and moving it, and welding it back on further back, but I want to see if maybe I'm just missing something else, first.

Because it's extremely annoying.

 

It does appear to be a bit messed up. I think you are on the right track and should simply grind of the welds and relocate the encumberance before it causes bigger issues.

Interesting when you compare the pictures. His frame is different than yours when you look at the web that comes down from the swing arm pivot. Wonder why they changed that?

 

Mine was the same way when i got it. The slot that the kickstand sits in was bent outward allowing the kick stand to settle further out than it should. Just put the centerstand up, remove the kickstand and bend the slot back. Havent had an issue since.

 

Thanks, boys. Me and the BFH are going to go investigate.


Fat chicks on this bike? Good god I hope not. At least from now on, not happening.

 

Also looks like my shifter is bent. Actually, bent initially, then bent back... so it's got a twist as well as a bend in it. Awesome!

Just curious - are other Honda sportbike shifters interchangeable, say from a CBR?

There's and availability of CBR parts locally, it'd be easier/quicker (and cheaper) than going through Ebay, I think.

Thoughts? Anyone try it already?

 

Looking from above, is the shifter supposed to be straight? Or is there a slight bend to the right (looking down from the front of the bike).

Mine is definitely disfigured. Considering having one fabricated and tapped for a larger toe piece, as well.

 

hahahaahaaa

Yeah, took me a bit to realize. New to VFs, and nobody around to compare mine to, didn't see how FUBAR'd it was at first.

 

Look in the Original thread, as I posted a pic of mine from above along with the side view.
But it may be better if someone with the same year as yours, would be nice enough to post a pic of theirs.

 

My '85 VF500 is also a PIA to shift until i get my foot nestled into just the right spot.



I think i'd be happy slidding the kick stand back about 2" so that the space between the big rubber end, and the sprint was where my foot would go, but mine is also welded Did you end up grinding yours off?


I had a glimmer of hope when i noticed about a 1" of play in the kickstand, but there's no way to bring it in permanently

 

i don't know if a simple pounding will do it. The stand is pretty straight, and i'd have to aim pretty good to bend the attachment to the frame to accomplish anything that the spring won't undo.

 

I think my Dad has an old one, i'll give'r a go this morning. Are we talking 5 or 10 wacks? Or is this going to be a short marathon with the hammer with beverage break in the middle?
I was also going to try just squeezing it with a bench press, but i don't know if i have one that's big and strong enough.

 

I actually ended up solving my problem with... proper foot positioning. Heh.

I was originally riding it like I was on the KLR 650, which is a dual sport... upright... feet resting flat on the pegs, heels locked it. Someone told me that on a sportbike, gotta be balls of your feet on the peg, then stab-shift (easiest way to explain it), and return foot to position. Realized that if I did that, there was enough room to pop the shifter with just my toes, without interference from the stand.

Not sure if it solves your issue, but it did mine. AND made me feel like a n00b-ass dope for a few minutes. haha

 

Well, i wacked and i wacked, then i wacked some more, but that kick stand was not give'n. So i ended up using the vice to pinch the fork part at the top where the bolt goes through, that brought it in a little bit. Then i sat there for a bit looking at everything, when i realized that if it just swung up a little bit more, it would tuck right in under the peg. So i grinded a slot below the fork so that it would swing up a little bit further and voila!


Ahhhh!!!! The freedom! I was even able to adjust the shifter down on notch. The rubber on the kickstand does contact then shifter when i downshift, but it's working well, and if i wanted to shift a little lower, i could always cut off the rubber and supporting section on the kickstand.