Thruxton R Side Stand: Boot Lever Extension

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Cafe Racer, May 30, 2018.

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  1. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    I took a Thruxton R for a demo ride yesterday and placed my order directly afterwards. Collection is in two weeks. Can't wait.

    I have until then to solve the problem that ended in my calling for help after the demo; no matter which face of my riding boots sole or heel that I present to the side stand, I couldn't get enough purchase to push the lever down. The boot simply slid off.

    I can't be the only one with this issue, so before I start having a stub of metal braised on to my pride and joy, is there an off-the-shelf solution I can purchase, please?

    Cheers,
    CR
     
  2. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Welcome to the forum.
    I don't recall that happening when I test rode a Thruxton R and perhaps other owners can shed light on it. I would suggest changing your boots rather than buggering the bike! :cool:
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,198
    1,000
    Uk
    Go back to the shop and try another one, maybe the demo had been dropped bending it in slightly?
     
  4. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    Thanks for the welcome! After 20 years with a high revving Four, the Street Cup I had on loan during my bike's annual service seduced me to torquey twins but was too breathless - so I tried the R which I loved on looks alone anyway, and after a twisty, open country, demo ride I was sold. The R Nine T Racer S didn't get a look in.

    To my problem; I had the same issue on the demo R I rode and both secondhand Rs in the showroom. On all three I needed help to get the sidestand down as my boot wouldn't engage the small lever. All three appeared undropped too.

    Six month old expensive all weather Alpinestars - so they ain't about to be replaced and I need to find a mechanical solution. I see on the web that I am not alone with this. Any other ideas therefore welcome. At the moment I'll be picking up my shiny machine wearing my ancient Frank Thomas boots!

    Cheers,
    CR
     
  5. tcbandituk

    Subscriber

    Apr 8, 2016
    2,763
    1,000
    Reading
    I had a Thruxton R demo the last couple of days and had no problem with the sidestand.
    If they're sliding off rather than can't reach it properly, maybe put a flat on the tang to try to stop the sliding?
     
  6. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    Sounds like you’ve answered your own question and just need some sort of extension on it to make it easier for yourself :p
    Not something I’ve done myself but would if I had to :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    Many thanks. Yes, I can temporarily remove the stand to machine a flat, add an extension or heat and bend the boot lever, but I preferred to check first in case this was a well-known issue for which an off the shelf solution such as aftermarket side stand with longer lever existed. Others have the problem too from what I can find online, but it looks like I need to pursue one of the aforementioned home-made solutions (so long as I can find out which paddock stand to buy first!)

    Cheers,
    CR
     
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    I just took another good look at my boots to see if I could modify them without creating a safety hazard but it seems I am stuck with a side stand mod. The heel of the boot is very chamfered with a pronounced angle all around from the vertical, and the sole is very curved towards the edges and completely devoid of anything even remotely approaching a lip. On my current bike (1998 Honda Hornet) I can juuust get the sidestand down using the sole adjacent to my big toe (no chance with the heel) but on the Thruxton R, neither!

    Now to find a paddock stand for the R so the side stand can come off for a bit!
     
  9. Rich Bryce

    Rich Bryce Dead Eye Dick

    Sep 18, 2015
    2,987
    1,000
    Bedford
    Something like this maybe - a bolt on puck.
    [​IMG]
     
    • Like Like x 2
  10. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,198
    1,000
    Uk
    You should find plenty on paddock stands in this forum, I seem to remember long discussions and a solution!
     
    • Thanks Thanks x 1
  11. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    Back to the boot lever on the side stand.

    I wore my old boots to pick up my Thruxton R a few days ago and as expected, extending the side stand was easy.

    Back home though, and with my wife on hand to help, I tried my new boots and had the same problem as on the demo bike; I cannot get the boot toe in the gap above the boot lever nodule, and neither will my heel touch it. The latter is because the boots have a substantial ankle plate that contacts the static fixing for the footpeg. As I push down, the boot is move further and further out and away from the side stand nodule. Add that the boot heel is heavily chamfered and it never comes anywhere close to making contact.

    The boots are Alpinestars SMX Plus like these: http://www.dhautos.co.uk/ekmps/shop...estars-smx-plus-gore-tex-boots-[3]-8453-p.jpg

    I'm currently looking for a length of tubing to fit over the side stand lever to make it half an inch longer.
     
  12. Retired Phil

    Retired Phil Well-Known Member

    Jun 22, 2017
    211
    93
    San Rafael
    When I first got my R I had the same impression. After a few rides I had no more problems. I use the Heel of my riding shoes. 2 years now and it just becames a natural thing.
     
  13. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Note to Thruxton R riders - Don't buy those boots! :cool:
     
  14. Kinjane

    Kinjane Active Member

    Oct 15, 2017
    234
    43
    Bristol, Land of Enger
    I've used some high pressure fuel line to extend the tang length of my T120 side stand.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    When I had the Trident 900, I thought I better change my old boots for some a bit more substantial. Bought a pair of very nice TCX race boots - got on the bike and roared off up the road only to find I couldn't change gear however I wiggled my foot.
    Adjusted the lever and tried again and again but it never worked. Sold boots on ebay.:D
     
  16. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,064
    1,000
    Central France
    Hi CR, I think you've answered your own problem in that it's the boots and not so much the bike.

    Could you stick something to the heel of your LH boot heel?
     
  17. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    Six months old and for 300 squidlets so they are not going up for sale; they are ace, and everything I want in a boot - part from incompatibility with the Thruxton sidestand!

    They work just great on every other bike I have ridden with them (GS 1200R, Honda Hornet 600, Triumph Street Cup), and it is only the proximity of the side stand nodule to the foot peg that causes an issue.

    I am very reluctant to modify the boots (a) for safety (I don't want something digging in to the road if I am sliding down it) and (b) to avoid interfering with riding the bike safely, so will continue down the modified lever route when I am back from work travel abroad for the next two weeks; I'm just back from my final ride before travel - and wore my old boots! :)

    Cheers Guys.

    CR
     
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  18. ThruxM

    ThruxM Member

    Mar 17, 2017
    29
    18
    Avon
    I agree - my Thruxton R sidestand + my latest boots are not compatible compared with other bikes. I have accepted I just have to be very, very careful getting purchase on the sidestand nodule or whatever it is called and double check before relaxing when parking up. It takes a fair bit of faffing sometimes. Not ideal, but I'm slowly coming round to this "minor" Thruxton quirk.
     
  19. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    That may be so, but with my boots as written in this thread, it is physically impossible because a combination of cut-away heel and the proximity of the footpeg base means the heel never gets anywhere near the sidestand level - even with my wife pushing on my foot to bend and twist it to unnatural positions! There is always a gap of several millimetres.
     
  20. Cafe Racer

    Cafe Racer Member

    May 30, 2018
    47
    18
    UK
    I tried to do exactly this but the spare fuel pipe I have is too small in diameter. I'm currently in Sri Lanka but when I return home I will look for a length of plastic tube that I think I have in my box of "I might need that one day" junk.
     
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