I think I posted this question a day or two ago,
but don't find it now, I realize there is/are
ancient threads or a thread on center stands.
Should I necro the old threads and ask my
question or is this a good place to have
the conversation?
---
-Clearance issues
-Best CS available today
-Does the foot-press catch calf when
sitting on bike, backing up etc, a
model where the foot-press is less obtrusive?

Should I necro the old threads and ask my
question or is this a good place to have
the conversation?

Personally, I necro the old threads unless they're already really long. If nobody's going to read 8 pages, might as well start a new thread.

I never considered a center stand because it's so antithetical to what my concept of a sport bike is supposed to be. You carry along a lot of weight that has no use except for when you're not riding. On the other hand, I'm, ten years younger than you. If carrying a center stand lets me enjoy the bike ten years from now, I'll do it. There's going to come a day where i can't lift the bike but I'll still be perfectly capable of riding it and enjoying all the wrenching activities.

If you do all the weight loss mods on this bike, it will be a lot easier to lift. A center stand still might be exactly what works best for you so do it.

Yeah, ,surely not a weight saver

I'm really just looking for a means to safely lift
my bike as close to center when working on it, I have
a paddock stand but don't 'love' it, I want both wheels
off the ground with NO drama. I keep considering ways
I can get this done without a permanent center stand,
I may buy the TREX cs, and see if there's something
I can do there, I've been fabricating 'stuff' for
decades, it's a matter of how much time do I want
to invest in a given project.
----------
I did jack my bike up a month ago just lifting on
the pipes with a floor jack , I watched a video
where another ZX14R owner did the same, bad idea
I'm sure.
---
I also have a Harley
type of lift, but there's no 'approved' obvious,
or 'safe' areas to use as lift points, it seems like the
receiver for the cs is the best 'target' area for
fabrication, without changing anything permanently
on the bike.

Yeah, I wouldn't lift under the pipes. You might consider an Abba or Heindl Engineering stand. These stands insert to the swing arm pivot holes. It's impossible to drop the bike after it's lifted to vertical as long as you hold up on the handle. It's still not easy peasy to lift a bike with stock mufflers but its the safest stand I've used. I have never used a center stand. I don't know if that would be any easier than an Abba. It looks like a center stand lifts at just about the same point as the swing arm pivot. You have to pull backward to lift on the center stand don't you? I think I'd feel safer pulling forward with a swing arm pivot stand. It seems like there would be a lot more leverage with the long handle plus you can also step on the lower bar of the Heindle Engineering stand and you can't drop the bike as long as you're holding pressure up on it.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/16/2025 @ 12:57 PM *

Yeah, I think they're pretty much all the same; Pull back,
but mostly HEAVY weight on the foot-pad.
I'm way under the typical/targeted 160lb rider so, I
really have to stomp on that footpad hard.
A video of deploying the TRex cs for zx14's looks
to be the same, but much easier to deploy,
probably being that its close to 400lbs lighter
than a GL1800 (GOLD WING).
---
A Heindi search returns with 'sold out' I'll have
to check them again later.

I'm way under the typical/targeted 160lb rider so, I
really have to stomp on that footpad hard.

Good for you man! I'm about 215 right now. I've been up to 230. The extra weight can come in handy for things but for the most part, it taxes your heart and makes a lot of bodyweight focussed tasks (like walking uphill) a lot harder. No BS about it, we all want to be great big men but there comes a point where it's a risk to your health even if it's lean mass. I was always happier with "Svelte". I'm pretty tall so getting under 190 lbs is a little unrealistic but if I could just get to that weight, I'd feel a lot better. Even 200.

A Heindi search returns with 'sold out' I'll have
to check them again later.

I saw that too. The Abba stand is another option and possibly a little nicer with the screw in spikes that fit to the swing arm pivot holes. You can lift the front and rear at the same time with the Abba. There was another stand like this too but the name escapes me.

The Heindl is very good. I think the Abba would be a little nicer.

What about Trex, they make one for gen 2 and have a video
for it, looks pretty straight forward, nice foot pad, but
weird looking feet, still might be ok though.

Go for the one you want. I still think a swing arm pivot stand will be easier and you won't need to carry it on the bike.

I stopped looking for 'info' on both products
once I found that the first search was sold out,
being not even sure how they were supposed to
interface, and assuming we were both using the term center
stand as in an oem or TRex style permanent center stand.
---
Neither of these brands/models are readily US available,
but a search I just went through does indicate that
the ABBA is absolutely what I'm looking for, just
not an 'easy' US item.
----

You mentioned 'swing arm' pivot points,
that should have been a clue for me but
I was still stuck thinking you were talking
about center-stands in the traditional,
permanently attached center-stand, I didn't
realize that the conversation was segwaying
into bike lifts, which seems to be what
the ABBA is, and the ABBA is exactly what
I would prefer, over my paddock stand.
I want to be able to lift the bike via
a frame member, and doing so at the
swing arm pivot point/s would definitely work.
---
Since ABBA 'lift' isn't readily available here,
I'll cool my jets on it, and just save
there AUS description page.
-----
Considering 'now' how a 'center stand' attaches
to the 14's I think I've sorted this whole thing
out;
Since I don't actually want a permanently
mounted Center Stand, I can buy one anyway
and just push the two bolts through the
mounting holes, loosely turn the nuts on the ends,
nix any spring action, and wham, I have a
'center lift'


Don't laugh, I think it could work.
----
I was asking someone why my new Delkevik
slip-on (right side) has a rubber bumper
attached to the underside, lol, that would
probably be a 'stop' for a center stand.
I was also asking why the oem arrangement
of the OEM pipes comes with midway pipe
anchor point on the right side, but does have
one on the left side, another LOL,
an issue that looks to be good insight on the
part of kawasaki, as in using a
typical full exhaust that ends in
just one 'muffler' or pipe end on
the right side of the bike, that
support is probably a 'key' support,
and also why the left side has no
midway support, not needed.
I stumbled on that issue, while looking
at full exhaust kits.

If I'm skidding in wet pavement or gravel
on the back tire, when I come to a stop
I hear this very quick little slap slap,
is that my kick stand slapping or the chain?
Is that normal?
(this is with clutch in of course, or disengaged)

I've had the centerstand on all 4 of my 14's for chain lubing and tire changing. I have a bike rack, back wheel is easy and then for the front, I strap the rear, lift the front so it just turns the front wheel, and change the front tire that way.

Need to remove a muffler to install the pivot bolts so you have to deal with that each time you temp the centerstand if going that route.

I tag a foot before I tag a scrapper pin at the foot pegs. Bike is way too heavy to dance the Marquez at 60°... LOL

Need to remove a muffler to install the pivot bolts so you have to deal with that each time you temp the centerstand if going that route

If I'm skidding in wet pavement or gravel
on the back tire, when I come to a stop
I hear this very quick little slap slap,
is that my kick stand slapping or the chain?
Is that normal?

Probably the chain lashing. Even with only the rear brake applied, the bike pitches forward and the front suspension dives. The rear does the opposite, it skims or floats the road. That's why the rear brake isn't something to count on for effective and safe braking. I know my Hayabusa has ticks in the paint on the swing arm and that looks like it was caused by the chain. I think my old 14 had it too. I definitely remember hearing a not too nice noise in emergency braking situations and it felt like the rear tire was off the ground. ...not a "slap,slap" more like a "rattle, clang, clunk." I don't remember ever coming to a complete stop in emergency braking so I don't know what noises might occur there. There can be noises just from braking hard and I'm pretty sure it's the chain whipping. I think it's normal.

Thanks.
''paint chips'' Interesting.
I'll run a test one morning, I'll put
a strip of tape along the top and bottom of swingarm
and see which side is slapping, maybe both are.

Need to remove a muffler to install the pivot bolts so you have to deal with that each time you temp the centerstand if going that route

Hub,
I bought an M10 1.25 bolt approximately
sized to one side of the mounting bracket,
I was confused about why they need a shoulder bolt,
and thought the inside hangers were threaded
(sht vision lol), after sorting it all out
I realize that the inside hole is just a hole
and the shoulder bolt is used so the tightening
pressure is on the inside tab, so the mounting
tabs don't just get squeezed together.
---
I finally concluded that to use the
center stand (trex of whatever brand) ONLY
when working on bike, all I need to do
is get an approximate bolt of pin in those
mounting holes, and not need to spend time
removing the pipes.
---
I'm also figuring that since you had
them on your 14's and the weight
is down low, it might
be worth just permanently mounting it,
so long as the foot-press isn't going to
be something that gets in the way, the
GOLD WING foot press was definitely in
the way, I'd catch my leg, boot etc on it
frequently.

On the centre stand, very useful for rear end maintenance,chain clean/adjust and wheel out jobs etc and maybe chain work or puncture repair on a long tour.
Other than that, extra weight yes but very low down as has been mentioned.
I don't have one but I have used one on a 14 without problems, at 240lbs if I rode naked, suited up, who knows.
I have the ABBA Sky lift which not only lifts both wheels but makes manouvering a 250+kg bike round the garage easy. Not cheap though.

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 11/20/2025 @ 1:16 PM *

On the centre stand, very useful for rear end maintenance,chain clean/adjust and wheel out jobs etc and maybe chain work or puncture repair on a long tour.
Other than that, extra weight yes but very low down as has been mentioned.
I don't have one but I have used one on a 14 without problems, at 240lbs if I rode naked, suited up, who knows.
I have the ABBA Sky lift which not only lifts both wheels but makes manouvering a 250+kg bike round the garage easy. Not cheap though.

Motorcycles always came with a centerstand. Every street Bike I have owned since 1971 had one.

Until I bought my 2012 Zx14r. The stock mid pipes have dents in them to give clearance for a centerstand. I ordered a centerstand and a Shop Manual the day I picked up my motorcycle. The factory stand was $185.
Here is one on eBay, used cheap, $35 plus ship.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/317442571956?_skw=kawasaki+zx14r+cnterstand&itmmeta=01KAP0VN7KZH3BEVHNMJ48HCHM&hash=item49e90d3eb4:g:Mx8AAeSwbiVo9sS0&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fp5YvcDLmpiWiEUO90NnPi9eGb8A0mxqJxB%2BsuuS%2F5m2%2BgWBmvGQ4GdhVaL1kInj1CjEaWIv93%2B9AEzWWrkjwdVQkR5ayibAHtpcGNMEQZvnaUcUAKjL6Uo6y9xQXzC%2FKzAc%2BPsrvtE35I5x3%2Fgve5BnzXmzJY%2B9wsYe%2BuqM0zDtXxQqUivHDs5%2FXkr72bDn7OVzX6fSD4neO7lhD1b5eI%2FMyxKqALB2RKdSWKnWZRFw2%2BaexPt7kkwYbPhf2hj2xv%2Bz3%2F4jp8F21uY5qJsl0S%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4DV7sDVZg

It is crazy to me how everyone is hung up on weight on their motorcycle. My 1974 KZ900 weighed 559lbs. My 1989 Zx10 weighed 576lbs. My 2012 ZX14r weighed 584lbs; it had 2 Catalytic converters, holds 5.8 gallons of fuel, has a larger rear wheel and tire, 445cc larger engine than the zx10, larger radiator, holds more oil, yet it only weights 8lbs more.
A centerstand is essential for maintenance and for travel.

I still use a Laptop for all my Internet communication. I have an external harddrive with all my photos to insert. Today, most people are using a smartphone.

* Last updated by: doubleD on 11/22/2025 @ 9:01 AM *

The stock mid pipes have dents in them to give clearance for a centerstand

My right side oem pipe has 'like' a triple dent,
the left side just one dent on the inside surface,
so I guess the left and right interface with a
center stand differently.
In any case, I wonder if an oem stand is shaped
differently than an aftermarket one.
I put an offer in for the ebay item you linked
I think its an oem, the design doesn't look
like the aftermarket ones I've seen, so it
may not fit my bike as I just put a set of
slip ons on it, and they don't have dents on
the insides.

---
I like a light bike if I can get it and lighten
this one up if possible, but its not an obsession
with me, I bought the pipes mainly for the sound
though appreciate that they are less than 1/2
the weight.
So now my bike is probably 585lbs_+ - .
A regular sport bike, (liter bike) , is around
440lbs, one great feature about my zx14r on
windy days is that it's not 440lbs lol,
at close to 600lbs, I feel like it is and
will remain considerably more stable in
crosswinds.

My new right-side pipe does have a little bumper on the
underside, which I figured out a few days ago 'must' be
a bumper for a centerstand 'stop' , nice thought from
Delkevic. Maybe the 'midway' pipes, (I think that's how you
labeled them)from this aftermarket exhaust will be angled or shaped
in a way that a centerstand might fit.
I may not want to mount the centerstand permanently
for reasons explained a few days ago, but I would
definitely like to have one that I can lift my
bike with even though not a permanent mount.

* Last updated by: Stratovarious on 11/22/2025 @ 12:02 PM *

I like the centerstand and the swing arm spools

Abba stand. Highly recommend. You can use it on many bikes by getting different stand pins. Lift rear, front or both.

Abba has a US site https://abbastandsusa.com/

Using a center stand to lift a heavy bike is easier if you run the front tire up on a plank. I used to do that and was able to do it with just socks on.

Bobby.. How do you like the BeadRiders ?