219 Himalayan side stand to long

[Afan]

I have an issue with the side stand on my 2019 Himalayan. It's too long, and I always have a feeling it's going to lean too far to the right. Until several months ago, it was slightly better, but now it only works when the ground is 100% flat and level. If I'm parking somewhere outside, on a gravel road, or similar surfaces, it takes me 10 minutes to park it safely. I've become a 'parking joke' with my Hilmo.

What could be the reason for this behavior?
First, there might be a mistake: I bought it used with a lowering link, but the previous owner had the original links. I replaced the links and sold the lowered ones. Now, I'm wondering if there was a misunderstanding, and I got the bike with the original links, and the previous owner gave me the lowered link, which I installed?
So, what's the length of the original one vs. the lowered links? The one I have now is approximately 6 inches from the center to the center of the 'hole.'

Second, is it possible to change the position of the shock absorber if I bottomed out just a couple of times within the 2 years of having the bike?
As a matter of fact, can the shock absorber change the position of the bike when on the side stand?

Third, my tires (Shinko 804/805) are so worn that the tire profile makes them 'lower'?!?

I was thinking about buying that 'adjustable' side stand for my Hilmo, but somehow, I don't trust it so much. Or should I buy a shortened side stand (BS6?)? Or should I cut off about 1/2 inch or so from the original side stand?

Thanks for any help.

 

[johnny42]

Do the links on your bike show any type of part number? The rear shock setting could have an effect on your 6" result. If your bike leans a bit on the side stand, I would be pretty sure you don't have the lowering links installed. Lowering it even an inch would probably make the side stand unusable and your bike would fall over.

A second check might be how easy it is to deploy the center stand. If your bike is lowered, it might be impossible to raise it on the CS.

 

[Afan]

... your bike is lowered, it might be impossible to raise it on the CS.

 

[johnny42]

CS =
Center Stand?

 

[Afan]

CS =
Center Stand?

No, no... I got the CS abbreviation. I was "thinking" why would be impossible to put it on CS if the lower link is installed?!?
I got the bike with the lowering links, and, except to be lower than I like, everything else was ok.

 

[OldGuy]

The side stand on the early Himmas was too long to begin with. When you lower the bike, the situation for the side stand (and the center stand) just gets worse. The moderator of this forum ("Jerk") used to sell shortened side stands to help this problem for stock bikes, but if the bike is lowered, I think you'd have to shorten both of them by quite a bit.

I lowered mine by 1", and immediately changed it back when I realized how unstable it was. I'd already shortened the side stand, and it was ok before lowering, but after lowering, it was grossly unstable. I was working on it at the time, sitting on a mechanics stool, and pulled a bit too hard on a zip tie, and the bike came over on me, pinning me to the floor. My wife had to call 911 and get the paramedics out to lift the damn thing off me. Nothing injured except my pride.

As for "Why?". Because if the bike is lowered, the center stand has to lift the bike that much higher to get "over center". The leverage built into the center stand foot pedal isn't enough to lift the bike that much more (unless you weigh 300+lbs or can lift the bike that much more). For the side stand, the bike is lower, so the stock side stand keeps it too upright to be stable (and it wasn't stable to begin with).

 

[Roy Gavin]

H's lowered links are nearer 6 1/2 inches centre to centre.
INHO I would get or make an adjustable stand, then you have all bases covered when it comes to tire size, spring sag and luggage loading.
Making one has been covered on here a few times

 

[captrees]

I'm thinking the stands off a Scram might fit?

I lowered both stands on my Himmy after lowering the bike. I found a friendly welder who was a biker and we worked out how they needed to be.

 

[grymsr]

I'm thinking the stands off a Scram might fit?

I lowered both stands on my Himmy after lowering the bike. I found a friendly welder who was a biker and we worked out how they needed to be.

Do you recall how much you lowered your center stand? I have lowered links and have shortened the side stand as per the links' instructions. Unfortunately there was nothing about center stand height.

 

[tom_d]

I was thinking about buying that 'adjustable' side stand for my Hilmo, but somehow, I don't trust it so much. Or should I buy a shortened side stand (BS6?)? Or should I cut off about 1/2 inch or so from the original side stand?

I have a 2019 and did drop it a couple of times because it was too upright. It caused me a lot of worry and I always pulled up on the suspension to unload it and give it a little better chance. I finally bit the bullet and bought a shortened side stand which was once offered by a forum member as a service to the community. I would not hesitate in purchasing the one from Hitchcock's as many others have, just be sure to get the right one as they changed over the years. You can also shorten your existing, either way it is money well spent to not have this worry.

 

[Afan]

... You can also shorten your existing....

I'm assuming 1/2" would do the job?

 

[tom_d]

I'm assuming 1/2" would do the job?

Mine seems right on, according to the maker’s video it was shortened 3/8” as well as adding a steel 2” circle for a foot. The video is also helpful as it shows the easy way to install it so you aren’t fighting the spring too much.

Here’s Hitchcock’s version which can be 10mm longer and 20mm shorter.

SIDE STAND ADJUSTABLE LEG, Early 411 HIMALAYAN

accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com