Topic: Not using the center stand, can I cut the bracket off the frame?

[kwaggs27]

Will it make a difference if the bracket is removed from the frame since Im not planning on using the stand? I cant remember if thats a rear lower motormount but will it effect the rigidity of the frame if its removed? Thanks for the help. New to this restoration process.

[CBJoe]

What bike??

Are you modifying the frame in other ways??   If not, then Why not leave the brackets there "just in case" you or the next owner wants to mount the swingarm again. 

That being said, I know others have cut the brackets off, but I'm not sure if there was other bracing done. 

Joe

[mystic_1]

It won't affect the rigidity of the frame, but cutting stuff like that off the frame isn't really considered part of a restoration and as said, you or a future owner may want to put the center stand back on at some point.  Some people put the center stand on to service the bike and then take it off again when they're done.

mystic_1

[cafe2be]

I chopped mine right off the frame. No regrets or looking back. Feel that it cleans up the underside of the bike just a bit more. Would do it again. Then again, I cut alot of other metal off the frame as well. 

[stickman]

For the 'what it is worth' dept, this 64 yr. old will never consider buying a bike without functioning center stand.  Without going into what is obvious, you will at least loose some of your potential buyers when you eliminate your center stand when you resell it, and yes, I know you think otherwise now but you will eventually grow tired of it and decide to sell.  Remove the center stand, store it where it will be protected and you can locate it when the time comes so you or another owner can put it back original. Just my 2 cents..  Stick

[myhondas]

+1 x 1K on that. Kills alot of resale value.

[Gorms]

I cut mine off my cafe project for a lighter, less cluttered look.  No plans for resale so I wasn't worried about that.  Glad I did it.  Looks great.

[Don R]

I put one back on my bike. JMHO.

[Noel]

Assuming it's your CB500 that you're talking about, no, chopping off the tabs will not affect structural integrity.

FWIW, though, when shaving my frame (passenger pegs, horn mount, sidecover mounts, etc.) I gave serious thought to removing the centerstand brackets, and decided not to just yet, primarily because the centerstand was so useful at the time. (I was doing a lot of work on it.)

A couple of years later, I'm very glad I didn't, as I am ordering race pipes for the bike and they will prevent the use of the sidestand, ie. the centerstand will be the only option short of leaning the bike against a tree or something. In that light -- and considering that the centerstand brackets are essentially invisible -- I'll add my voice to those who suggest you not worry about 'em.

[fastbroshi]

  Don't do it.  I don't agree with the less cluttered argument.  When taking pictures and just generally admiring, it's not noticeable.  Heck no one ever comments on my brackets that have been half-torched off.  If you wanna drop weight just disassemble and save it.  Cutting off those brackets isn't worth saving, what, a few grams?  Just order the chicken caesar instead.

grumble to self: stupid frickin po's, why I oughta...

[kwaggs27]

I have already cut up the frame a little bit, removing the passenger pegs and dropping the frame from the backbone to just under the shock mounts. My plan was to make this bike a solo seat, lowered cruiser with ape hangers and a killer "Boat Flake" paint job. I think I will keep the mount on the bike now and if I need to use it I will put it back on and then remove again when Im done working on the bike.This isnt my bike but the same frame mods on mine.

[mystic_1]

Better gusset it well at the bottom of the vee where the seat rails meet the tubes from the shock mounts.  Konged frames tend to crack there due to the forces from the shocks pushing forward on the shock mounts.

mystic_1

[kwaggs27]

Never thought about adding a gusset there. So the gusset is to keep the rear frame from folding over the seat there? And Mystic did you tell me about the tappered bearing spacer from Z1 Enterprise? I want to order the roller bearings from them but just wanted to check part numbers to see if Im ordering the right set. Im looking at AB22-1011 but it doest specify if it contains spacers for under the lower bearing. Ill just call them and ask to make sure I order the right set.

[mystic_1]

That's the All Balls 22-1011 kit, which contains two different spacers (you choose one to use) and seals for both top and bottom.  That's the kit that I like to use.

Regarding the gusset, yes it's to keep the rear frame from bending forward, the forces from the shock will be pushing the upper shock mount up and forward.

mystic_1

[JS550]

I almost cut my center stand mounts off, but glad I didn't! Makes working on it easier. I pull the stand off then put it on when needed. The brackets aren't that noticeable. But ultimately, its up to you.

[Johnny5]

Im glad I kept my mounts on. I install the centerstand when doing service. So much easier than dealing with jacks and blocks. I dont mess with the centerstand spring and put a block in front of the front wheel. Two seconds and the bike is up and I can adjust the chain.

[Turbogrimace]

I have a konged frame.  The seat tubes were moved about 5 inches down and there's no gusset.  You can see that it's started to bend already.  There are many many people riding around without gussets or reinforcements.  A friend of mine has one of Kongs original modified frames where the seat is dropped pretty low.  It's got a slight bend in it but it's been on the road for years.

If you're in the process of modifying the frame, I'd gusset it so you dont have to worry about it.  Keep in mind how your seat is going to fit though.

Here's a shot of one of Kongs first bikes



and here's a shot of mine.



Sorry to get off topic, but it's good information.  Check out hondachopper.com if you want more information on modifying the frame. 

... As for the center stand.  Mine's gone.  Dont really miss it either.  On the other hand, Im building one for my Santee swingarm chopper.  Convenient? Yes. Ugly? Yes.  If you want to keep it on, cut it short since you've lowered the bike and tuck it under the frame where you'll forget about it until you need it.

[Turbogrimace]

Just to be thorough and because everyone likes pictures, here are some other Kong originals.



Here's a picture of Kong with the bike in the above post before some new paint and a new owner.  Kong passed away a couple of years ago.



And for some tutorials, here are a few websites that detail the mods.

http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/konging/konging.html

http://konga750.blogspot.com/2008/08/konging-frame.html

[kwaggs27]

TurboGrimace thanks for the picks, I really like the top picture. That is kind of the look I would be going for with my bike. Im painting the frame and tank green boat flake and repainting the motor so it will look amazing. When its all done I will post new pictures for everyone to see. I will add gussets to the frame so I dont run into problems with the frame cracking.

[Don R]

Maybe this one needs Konged.



whatta ya think?

[JS550]

Gotta cut the passenger foot peg mounts off. Kwaggs frame already looks better then the other pics. Much cleaner. Look at the ones with the pass mounts still, too cluttered in the middle. No offense to anyone, the other bikes are great, but I would come up with a different way of mounting pass pegs.

[Turbogrimace]

Maybe this one needs Konged.



whatta ya think?

I'd cut the seat down a bit, drop the frame a few inches, get shorted tubes up front and make a digger.  Get a skinny tank and put a little pullback in the bars.  Add some chrome and a crazy ass paint job and voilà.

[754]

The last pic has a front section on the frame, hard to compare it to a stock necked frame..

 All the konged bikes on here, I cannot imagine why, they dont extend the swingarm.. easy to do and would look far far better..

[Turbogrimace]

All the konged bikes I posted have an extended swingarm.  They're all DOHC swingarms.

The digger in the previous post has a single downtube hardhead with a little gooseneck.  You could make the bike Don R posted look similar in stance with minimal mods.

[754]

I realize that was a  hardheaded frame, what I never really liked about them was with the seat still above the stock frame rail position , they still look like a half framed bike. You sit on it, not in it, the main reason a lot of modded Honda frames look terrible..

 re the swingarm, if an imaginary line was drawn from top of neck thru to rear axle, and the frame followed it, it looks a lot cleaner.... takes few inches more on the swingarm to pull the look off nicely..

 of course JMO FWIW..