82 GS650L Center stand height

[Guest]

I feel crazy. Ever since I've had this bike, I've always felt that the center stand is too short. With the bike on the stand, it is NOT raised high enough to get the front wheel out or in from under the fender, or to be able to slide the front axle through the wheel. Every time I need to do anything on the front end that requires removing the wheel, I need to jack the bike up and put the center stand on a 2x4 to get the front wheel off the ground. I'd say I have to get the bike up at least another inch, inch and a half maybe. Is this normal? When I look at the center stand, it doesn't look like anything is wrong with it. It's just a minor inconvenience really but I've always been puzzled by it.

[Steve]

When the bike is on the centerstand, there will be a little bit of weight on the front wheel. You will HAVE to place a jack under the front of the engine to raise the front to remove the axle. I usually just take enough weight off to allow the axle to slide out. Once the axle is out, you can jack up the front just a bit more, so you can roll the front wheel out.

Two things can change that:
1. As you suspect, the centerstand might have been cut. I don't have a 650L handy to measure, but I will suspect that is not the case.
2. Someone has installed longer shocks on the rear. Stock shocks on my 850s are about 13" center-to-center, I don't know if the 650 is a bit shorter. If yours are longer, that is what is preventing you from being able to raise the front enough.

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[exzachtly1]

I thought maybe the rear shocks were longer. That might explain it. I actually just ordered some new shocks so I measured them, and they are about 13.4" eye to eye. So probably 340mm. I ordered the same size as a replacement, the next size down in the shocks I bought was 320mm which I thought might be too short. Maybe I should have gone with those! I guess I'll see how the 340mm ones feel once I get them. Looking at pictures on ebay, it certainly looks like the shocks on my bike are the originals.

Anyways I'm probably over thinking it. I threw a piece of plywood under the stand earlier, put a jack under the motor to lift the front a bit and the wheel clears the ground soooo... not a huge deal I guess I was just curious!

[Steve]

One nice thing about the longer shocks, ... it makes it easier to get the bike on the centerstand.

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[tom203]

I think that you'll find the 13.4 too long.......I believe the 650L came with 12.7....mine arrived with 13's off a 750 . I got 12.7 on now...works for me but I ride solo. Bike is nicely balanced on centerstand and still easy to get up and off it

[Wingsconsin]

At least you are asking the right questions - and show you have done some research prior to asking the hive mind here.
Many will just come on - ask a question - then dis-believe the answers they receive -
The knowledge here being shared is incredible and your bike will get sorted out very quickly with the process you are using
Best Wishes

[exzachtly1]

Been a while but.... quick update. I put on the 340mm shocks and they actually work great. They are these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm quite surprised at how nice they look and handle for the price. A bit stiff, but I expected that with cheap shocks. And the bushings maybe aren't the best but... they work!

Y'all might be right about them being just a hair too long, but, on the center stand with a jack underneath the engine I can actually get ground clearance with the front wheel now. So it seems they are actually a bit shorter than what was on there (which I think was stock). Anyways, I always have my trusty piece of 3/4" plywood to put it up on when I need a little more ground clearance in the front