Tightening loose side stand

Rubio

Rubio

Joined
May 26, 2025
Messages
56
Age
65
Location
Ontario, Canada
Bike
ST1100A
My side stand is slightly loose causing it to rub the muffler. The nut was impact tight so I’m assuming it’s due to 25 years of wear. Has anyone pressed the top end of the stand to tighten it up? It looks like cast iron so I’m concerned I might crack it. It only needs to move less than 0.5 mm. I don’t know is I can find a washer that thin to shim it. Looking for ideas.
 

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Often, the rear tab is threaded, meaning the nut is actually a lock-nut.

Loosen the nut, tighten the bolt just enough, then re-tighten the nut.
 
What usually happens is the bolt hole in the frame gets wallowed out.
You can squeeze the top of the sidestand and try all sorts of stuff but the issue will return if that is the case.
It will also lean over far more than normal when that happens.
My thoughts (not done it yet) is to drill out the frame hole large enough to put a proper bushing in the frame for the sidestand bolt.
You could weld the frame hole up and redrill it if you are a good welder (I am not ;)).
 
Are you sure that you have the correct bolt in there? I1776925189542.pngt isn’t actually a bolt - it is a pivot with a threaded end and a threaded hole in the hex end to secure the side stand switch.

If the shank/shoulder has worn that will make the stand free to move around - but it is more likely that the hole in the stand has worn.
Bolts and stands are still available.

Check the springs - two of them, one inside the other. Remove the stand to remove the spring. It is a lot easier to fit the springs before mounting the stand.

Make sure that the plate onto which the side stand is bolted has not been bent.
 
I had a similar problem over 10 years ago and found that the hole through the stand was wallowed out and too large. This resulted in too much play, so the side stand did not meet the stopper when in the up position. I bought a new stand at my dealer and this eliminated the problem.
 
Uncle Phil said:
What usually happens is the bolt hole in the frame gets wallowed out.
You can squeeze the top of the sidestand and try all sorts of stuff but the issue will return if that is the case.
It will also lean over far more than normal when that happens.
My thoughts (not done it yet) is to drill out the frame hole large enough to put a proper bushing in the frame for the sidestand bolt.
You could weld the frame hole up and redrill it if you are a good welder (I am not ;)).
Click to expand...
A grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't! :rofl1:
 
I couldn’t tighten the bolt more to draw the two sides together since it’s a shoulder bolt so I used a shim washer under the head to push the shoulder back a smidge and it worked. Lubed the shifter pivot too while I was down there.
 
Rubio said:
I put the washer between the bolt head and the kick stand so the shoulder wouldn’t be in contact with the left side until I crank it down tight. A little grease on the assembly to ease the future wear and I think I’m good for years to come.
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Do you think it would have the same effect if you had put the washer after the shoulder; at the start of the threads between the stand and the frame? I’m going to have to look at mine.
 
Sunday Rider said:
Do you think it would have the same effect if you had put the washer after the shoulder; at the start of the threads between the stand and the frame? I’m going to have to look at mine.
Click to expand...
I tried that initially but it was too difficult to align the washer so that the shoulder passes through the washer. You have to squeeze the washer in the very small gap and align it with a spud wrench or some other tapered tool but the gear shifter is in the way even when I removed it front the pivot.

If the hole in the kick stand head isn’t wallowed out or the bolt shoulder worn just pull the bolt, put a thin washer on then tighten to your liking.

Probably some Loctite LB 8012 would be good in this situation. I just used some wheel bearing grease.
 
Rubio said:
My side stand is slightly loose causing it to rub the muffler. The nut was impact tight so I’m assuming it’s due to 25 years of wear. Has anyone pressed the top end of the stand to tighten it up? It looks like cast iron so I’m concerned I might crack it. It only needs to move less than 0.5 mm. I don’t know is I can find a washer that thin to shim it. Looking for ideas.
Click to expand...
I solved this on my 1100 using a shim washer as you considered.

I don't recall its thickness, but it works.
 
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