Center stand doesn't lift the bike, is this normal

As I've posted before, I just got a '82 KZ750 (4) LTD. It came with a center stand, but last night was the first time I used it. Both tires still touch the ground when it's up on the stand. Isn't the point of the stand to lift a tire off the ground?

My old suzukis both had center stands that lifted the front end. My plan was to put it on the stand and then weight the front end so I could work on the rear wheel, but no luck.

So is this normal, or is something bent/broke?

I believe you may have the incorrect length stand, there are a lot of different ones, you could add some tube to it or some blocks on the feet with a welder. Most go for around $25 on Ebay + shipping.

Yup, somethings not right. On my KZ the rear tire is way off the ground and can be rocked back onto it to have the front tire off if needed. Get some dimensions on center stand and maybe some here with same bike can verify for you?

When I first got my bike, it would rest on the center stand, but both tires still touched the ground. I am not sure why, but the legs of the stand were tilted too far forward when supporting the bike. I solved the problem by welding some steel shims onto the "ears" of the center stand where they touch the mating part of the apparatus. The shims were less than 1/8" thick. Now everything is normal - the rear tire is about 1" off the ground. By pressing on the rear of the bike the front wheel can be easily raised. Good luck.

Could just position a board under the bike for the centerstand feet to stand on before lifting the bike.

Good Fortune!

WABBMW wrote:

When I first got my bike, it would rest on the center stand, but both tires still touched the ground. I am not sure why, but the legs of the stand were tilted too far forward when supporting the bike. I solved the problem by welding some steel shims onto the "ears" of the center stand where they touch the mating part of the apparatus. The shims were less than 1/8" thick. Now everything is normal - the rear tire is about 1" off the ground. By pressing on the rear of the bike the front wheel can be easily raised. Good luck.

The "legs tilted forward" happened to old Goldwings too, and the problem was rusted out mounts. Check the centerstand mounts on your bike for rust or damage.