1100 Spectre centerstand

I don't think 1/2" is enough to remove rear wheel.

It's a shaft bike, wheel comes off sideways so I don't see why not.

REALLY happy that the mod worked out for you. I've been contemplating doing this, and it really looks like I should because I'm fed up with avoiding using the centerstand. I'd have to source a welder/fabricator to do the job, but I think it'd be worth every penny.

It took me about one and a half hours for the actual fabrication and welding time I bet, so whatever someone charges for that. I can lift the bike with one hand and steady it with the other on the left handlebar now, before I had to use two hands on the back and hope the bars didn't twist around. Also, the 1/2" of tire clearance I have now is with an almost new 130 rear tire, not an old worn one.

DGA wrote: It took me about one and a half hours for the actual fabrication and welding time I bet, so whatever someone charges for that. I can lift the bike with one hand and steady it with the other on the left handlebar now, before I had to use two hands on the back and hope the bars didn't twist around. Also, the 1/2" of tire clearance I have now is with an almost new 130 rear tire, not an old worn one.

Is there a specific spot where you cut the 5/8" out of? Does it matter? Pics would be appreciated if possible.

Second time writing this, it ate my text the first..... On the pic you can see on the left side, just at the bottom of the gusset is where I welded it, so the 5/8" was below that of course. On the right of the pic you can see where the original MIG weld ends and my TIG weld starts, that is where I cut it there. I Cut up the welds and removed the gusset pieces, after fully welding around I welded them back in place and sanded the welds. Apologies for the rap flat paint, I thought it was gloss.

I bought a replacement stand yesterday (my rule on modding...if I want to modify something, don't use original parts). The pic is much appreciated, I didn't think of cutting the bottom 5/8" off, I assumed it was the top portion. Wish me luck!

Yes, good luck! If you cut above the cross brace you then lose the pivot alignment and will have a hard time getting them to align again, this is the reason I cut below the brace. I agree with you on not cutting up original, nice parts, but my stand was a POS anyway, one foot caved in that I had to fix etc.

Good to know Im just not a weakling Dont think I have the welding skills to do what you did though.

Pretty easy welds to do there. But I can hardly believe Kawasaki would release a bike with the stand that hard to operate, had to be close to a 200 lb dead lift, I would cringe when I had to put it on the center stand and avoided doing that.

DGA wrote: Pretty easy welds to do there. But I can hardly believe Kawasaki would release a bike with the stand that hard to operate, had to be close to a 200 lb dead lift, I would cringe when I had to put it on the center stand and avoided doing that.

Sixteenth year, and would be lost without the center-stand for servicing needs and wheel removal...difficult at times, but well-worth living with IMO.
This year is first time off the bike until needed for service, since it was interfering with leans into turns. Temporary installation takes about a minute to put the bolts in, since changing out the stock exhaust for a header. Once the service is done, off it comes in thirty seconds.

daveo wrote:

DGA wrote: Pretty easy welds to do there. But I can hardly believe Kawasaki would release a bike with the stand that hard to operate, had to be close to a 200 lb dead lift, I would cringe when I had to put it on the center stand and avoided doing that.

Sixteenth year, and would be lost without the center-stand for servicing needs and wheel removal...difficult at times, but well-worth living with IMO.
This year is first time off the bike until needed for service, since it was interfering with leans into turns. Temporary installation takes about a minute to put the bolts in, since changing out the stock exhaust for a header. Once the service is done, off it comes in thirty seconds.

Plus the weight reduction of a cpl lbs. is a big plus for weight conscious riders and given the low location of the center stand wld effectively raise the bikes' overall center of gravity a slight amount. I am a fan of a leaner sleeker speedier look for highway riding and curvy mountain roads. Center stand, grab bar and rear pegs (total weight in the 5ish lbs range) are non-essentials for me and can be easily remounted in less than 5 minutes with minimum effort whenever the need arises. ...................................Mike

Vroom-vroom!!!