I feel like a total novice asking this question, but here goes. Recently I've come across two pictures (different bikes) that show what looks like a vertical hand lever that looks like it's attached to the left foot rest. What the heck is that for? Shifting? Brake? Espresso machine?
Handle?
- Thread starter mkmachine
- Start date
Lifting handle for a center stand.
Espresso Machine sounds good to me. The series D does look like it could be a fancy Espresso Machine.
It's a conversation creation addition
I dont have a centre stand on my bike but people who do love them.
This is from Dave when I asked about ordering:
This is the measurement I would like please. With your bike leaning against the wall and as upright as possible, measure from the centre of the rear pivot down to the ground. If you do this both sides, them add the two figures together and then divide by two this will give you a pretty accurate answer. Once I know this dimension I can calculate the stands leg length.
This accounts for tire diameter and spring combinations.
My stand, with holes added:
This is the measurement I would like please. With your bike leaning against the wall and as upright as possible, measure from the centre of the rear pivot down to the ground. If you do this both sides, them add the two figures together and then divide by two this will give you a pretty accurate answer. Once I know this dimension I can calculate the stands leg length.
This accounts for tire diameter and spring combinations.
My stand, with holes added:
go for a stainless one i did painted it black after as the only reason is the stand is low down and get covered by all sorts of shit like salt the stuff that helps create the patina of rust.
Mr mkmachine,
Commuting 100 miles a day for 2.5 years on my '52 Rapide while in the RAF at Wittering in the late 1970s, I needed a good luggage-rack/panniers/top-box and the ability to get the bike on a centre-stand safely and easily in all weathers. The solution was based on a beefed-up Series D centre stand and a longer handle supplied by ClevTrev and a quality rack designed by Tony Wheatley. The next posting was 3 years in Germany with the prospect of a few commutes back to the UK and lots of continental rallies. So that rig was left on the Rapide - and came in especially useful for the International Rally in 2003 (with pillion passenger) - organised by those intrepid Vancouver guys and gals.
The rig is still there to this day, and I can still heave the plot on to its centre-stand before dismounting
And yes, I guess it could be used as an emergency brake!
What's not to like? (Except that at 40+ years, it's probably out of warranty now... ).
A couple of photos attached.
Peter B
Commuting 100 miles a day for 2.5 years on my '52 Rapide while in the RAF at Wittering in the late 1970s, I needed a good luggage-rack/panniers/top-box and the ability to get the bike on a centre-stand safely and easily in all weathers. The solution was based on a beefed-up Series D centre stand and a longer handle supplied by ClevTrev and a quality rack designed by Tony Wheatley. The next posting was 3 years in Germany with the prospect of a few commutes back to the UK and lots of continental rallies. So that rig was left on the Rapide - and came in especially useful for the International Rally in 2003 (with pillion passenger) - organised by those intrepid Vancouver guys and gals.
The rig is still there to this day, and I can still heave the plot on to its centre-stand before dismounting
And yes, I guess it could be used as an emergency brake! What's not to like? (Except that at 40+ years, it's probably out of warranty now... ).
A couple of photos attached.
Peter B
