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phot
02-26-2011, 04:27 AM
Guys, I just noticed that Cliff Evans (VulcanE) asked in the thread about saddlebag lights about my stand. One of the guys in the Drifter Forum was kind enough to add my report to his site and here is a link to it. I am a Mechanical Engineer and was determined to prove that I could make a stand, something a lot of owners regarded as not possible. The project is probably beyond the average riders capabilities to manufacture, although an easy item to fit. I also think that it would be quite expensive to manufacture unless some work was done to simplify the design/manufacture, something I have not had the time to do. As I mention in the report, the project was very much a working prototype, designed/manufactured/tested as I went along. Once completed, as with all first builds, I could see ways to improve/simplify the item, possibly a machined casting rather than a fabrication. Anyway here it is, it may inspire the more adventurous owners.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/abbottcenterstand.html
AlabamaNomadRider
02-26-2011, 08:50 AM
You ought to start selling those. I am sure there are several on here that would be interested. Looks like a good design.
VulcanE
02-26-2011, 09:34 AM
I'll tell you one thing, John don't "half way" do anything. He can figure out how to do it, and do it right. And on top of that, he's a great guy and willing to share! He has designed and made a lot of "goodies" for his Nomad.
cajun2wheels
02-26-2011, 10:01 AM
I certainly miss center stands and kick starters.Very nice article and a very professional looking project.
AlabamaNomadRider
02-26-2011, 10:04 AM
I know the companies cut back on some really good items such as kick starters and center stands to save money and to keep costs down. I sure miss them though. Kick starters were a lifesaver and that is one thing I wish they still had.
ringadingh
02-26-2011, 10:10 AM
It looks well made and im sure it works well, but it seems to be a lot of parts for a center stand. I wonder why you wouldn't try to use the tabs thatare provided and create a Harley style stand. They are a lot simpler in design.
ponch
02-26-2011, 11:39 AM
Rivco makes centerstands for some cruisers. May be a look see there will be productive in some way. May be you can sell your design to Rivco. May be you should sell them yourself. That's the ticket.

I will say having one is a big plus. My first two bikes had them and my current one does. I don't know how I lived without it. It also makes parking the bike in the garage easier and I can shift the orientation too when it's on the stand.
Dave
02-26-2011, 11:56 AM
I put one on my Ultra. Sure makes cleaning the right side easier. (but then I never clean it)
rickyboy
02-26-2011, 12:02 PM
A center stand would be nice http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

This is for a Triumph but it almost looks like it would fit. So I think Steve is on the right track. http://www.rivcoproducts.com/products/product.php?productid=512&cat=220&page=1
rickyboy
02-26-2011, 12:11 PM
I've sent a msg. to Rivco to see if they have any plan for a center stand for us Vulcan/Nomad owners. Just wait to see if they reply now.
I won't hold my breath though. :-/
ringadingh
02-26-2011, 12:14 PM
Thats a lot more of what I was thinking Rick.
rickyboy
02-26-2011, 12:20 PM
Thats a lot more of what I was thinking Rick.

I heard you loud and clear Steve. I'm on it. See what Rivco says.
cactusjack
02-26-2011, 01:12 PM
Nice job! I'll say one thing: you're thorough.
rickyboy
02-28-2011, 04:05 PM
OK!! I received a rtn. email from Rivco about the center stand for the Vulcan/Nomad Here is what he had to say.

Richard,
We have no plans at this time to make a center stand for the Kawasaki Vulcan / Nomad line. I will pass your request onto the ownership, I would tell anyone you know to conatct us and request this center stand, the more requests we get the better the chances of us making one.



Chad Hensiak
Rivco Sales, Install Tech
440 South Pine Street
Burlington, WI 53105
Phone 262-763-8222
Toll Free 888-801-8222
Fax 262-763-8949
Web www.rivcoproducts.com (http://www.rivcoproducts.com)
E-mail chensiak@rivcoproducts.com
ringadingh
02-28-2011, 05:28 PM
Thats certainly sounds like a very reasonable response from Rivco. However I figure that if enough guys wanted one they would have made them during the twelve years Nomads have been around. I personally can live without one. I have the bike jack that I can lift it up with when it needs to be.
cactusjack
02-28-2011, 05:44 PM
RIVCO only makes a couple of items for our bikes. They make a lot of stuff for Goldwings and Harleys.

I'm sure if they figured it was worth the trouble, they would make one.
caper
02-28-2011, 05:47 PM
I with Steve on his thoughts:)
rickyboy
02-28-2011, 08:13 PM
Personally I don't care if I have one. If it was there to purchase I might buy one.
What I want is an air/hydraulic platform motorcycle lift. I have seen them at Princess Auto/Harbor Freight the latter place having a reasonable price. But the H.F. store in Bellingham don't stock them and they tell me the only thing I can do is order online and pay the extra shipping, or drive to Cal. and get it. They won't ship to the Bellingham store where I could pick it up. I thought there would be somewhere in between Bellingham and somewhere in California. But NO !!! Ok I've drifted away from the orig. post now. Sorry,...
b1rider
02-28-2011, 08:22 PM
I also contacted Rivco several months ago about a center stand. I really miss having one for cleaning and checking tire pressures. I received the same response and I doubt there would be enough request to make them move on it. I would buy one as soon as it was available!
ponch
02-28-2011, 08:58 PM
Personally I don't care if I have one. If it was there to purchase I might buy one.
What I want is an air/hydraulic platform motorcycle lift. I have seen them at Princess Auto/Harbor Freight the latter place having a reasonable price. But the H.F. store in Bellingham don't stock them and they tell me the only thing I can do is order online and pay the extra shipping, or drive to Cal. and get it. They won't ship to the Bellingham store where I could pick it up. I thought there would be somewhere in between Bellingham and somewhere in California. But NO !!! Ok I've drifted away from the orig. post now. Sorry,...

Have you tried the 5 other stores further down 5?
Idaho
03-01-2011, 12:16 AM
I was asked recently to consider trying to make a center stand for the Nomad. It looks like John certainly came up with a workable solution although to fabricate that piece would be very pricey. Not to mention that you MUST get rid of the goat bladder for it to fit.

The thing that I keep thinking about with a center stand is how will we lift these bikes with a jack with the stand attached? It would either need to be recessed as John has built or form a flat frame like my jack adapter does to provide a stable platform. Makes my head hurt thinking about it. While there is some interest in seeing this project brought to fruition I'm not sure that the final package would be all that marketable.

As long as John is willing to share his design I suggest that whomever wants one to take him up on it and make his own.
Top Cat
03-01-2011, 01:08 AM
I can't even imagine trying to lift a Nomad with a center stand.
My back hurts thinkin' about it. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif
ve3hzz
03-01-2011, 08:35 AM
On my old puny (in comparison) Yamaha the center stand (before I bought the bike) was removed as it had a 4 into 1 collector and it would have been in the way with that header so the stand was removed.
I looked at putting it back on (but realized that the header was in the way) and decided I'd rather have the header then the center stand.

Now most of my riding buddies back then had a center stand and used it most of the time. It made me want one, but I lived without it. Infact after I stopped THINKING about it I lived without it just fine. After that I found a lot more bikes coming out without center stands at all from the factory and again most WANTED it for the convenience but then didn't like the extra weight ::)
So it's a trade off, and as some have said not an easy idea to adapt for this nor make one to bolt on to ALL Nomads (with factory exhaust) cost effectively.
Since Rivco didn't do it from the start (as not a large enough market) I would bet they originally looked into it and decided it wasn't worth the headache nor profitable/marketable so didn't develop it.
I doubt that now they would revisit it, again as it would have to work on ALL of them and with the goats belly (for one) it's not an easy design to get to work, and would not be inexpensive which would kill it in the first place.
Nice idea, and I agree it would be a bear to get up on one anyway for many!!!!

Scott
ponch
03-01-2011, 09:47 AM
I can't even imagine trying to lift a Nomad with a center stand.
My back hurts thinkin' about it. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

It wouldn't easy for some, that is for sure. My RT has one and I can get the bike up on the centerstand just by stepping on the foot lever and standing on it. Other people complain how hard it is, so I have no idea why as the bike only weighs 570 with a full tank of gas. The Nomad is closer to 815-820. All I can say is using the grab rail to help lift would be mandatory.