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Hi: the sidestand for my recently acquired 350 Sport 1977 appears dimensionally standard (compared with original items for sale at eBay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274925243432?hash=it ... SwWoFhK2uE), and without any apparent damage or significant wear to it or the frame. However, the lean angle is excessive making it largely unusable. In case it's not clear in the photo, the centreline of the sidestand comes up to 12cm on the steel rule when the stand fully extended. Has anyone else encountered the same and consequently have suggestions? Is this normal! Tim

The frame is twisted. Common problem caused by using the kick start with the bike on the side stand. I took my side stand off, and then cut the mount close to the frame (to make it look better). I only use the centre stand now...

I've just measured mine and in a similar position the end of the sidestand in 7cm off the ground. I was going to say that the bracket orientation looks wrong and surmise that it had broken off and been rewelded wrongly but I guess a twisted frame is possible.

Hi,
For what it's worth, the stands are easily bent near the pivot. Might seem a bit 'brute force and ignorance, but with the bike upright and side stand down, stand on it and bend it down a bit. Mine let's me know it is time to straighten it when the rearset brake pedal hits it. After 43 years it still hasn't snapped off! And as has been said, don't get on or start it while on the side stand.
Other things that affect the angle are shocks too long/ forks dropped through yokes or too wide/tall/ odd profile tyres.

If everything else is fine, you might need to resort to parking on the wrong side of the road or carrying a piece of wood in your pocket!

Regards,
George

Thanks everyone!

70sbikes: yes, I was alerted to this possibility before, but until I read your message, didn't understand how it could happen. Thanks!

Vitesse: thanks for taking the helpful measurement. Following your note, I looked more carefully, and unfortunately discovered the problem. It's a little difficult to see on the poorly focused photo, and on the camera itself it looks more vivid than in real life (the sidestand is retracted in this photo). Essentially there's a tear/crack on the plate welded to the frame, presumably as a consequence of what "70sbikes" describes. It reminded me of the same problem I experienced on my first (and only other) Morini way back in 1982! At the time, I had the frame re-welded, but can't remember the impact on the sidestand lean angle. As I recall, I then experienced the problem George describes with a weak sidestand pivot itself.

George: thanks for the positive suggestion... and the "other things that affect the angle" apply to my bike! Yes, I currently use a large block of wood, but to take it with me I'll need a (large) rucksack!!

Having said the above, the only idea I have for rectifying the problem is to somehow "close up the crack" and re-weld. Any suggestions... a large club hammer comes to mind, or if I had a disposable sidestand to stand, adapting George's technique!

Thanks everyone again, Tim

I hate people who sit on my bike when it is on the stand. I bollocked a guy twice and he said the bike could take it. When I offered to wheel his bike off its stand and drop it he got the message. My bike, my rules.

Stands take the weight of the bike not the bike and my lard arse!

Have you tried a pair of mole grips on the crack to see if the crack closes up? If it does then it should be easy to weld.

Thanks Mickey. That's a good idea... I'll try mole grips once I get to that item on the list... In the meantime, I'll continue to just use the centre stand, which is so easy to use. Your comment and this experience has reinforced potential abuse of the stands! No doubt I've been naively guilty in the past. Tim