Well, after months of thinking, drawing, and designing, I have finally built a kickstand for my KX500. Instead of adding the pictures to this post, I added to my album in the Gallery. Also, I did not have any green paint left in the can, so just painted silver for now. It helps be able to see the mount a little better in pictures, so worked out just fine.
Thoughts:
- One of my concerns has always been that the main spring would come off and allow the kickstand to drop down. As you might expect, this could get pretty ugly. To address this, I incorporated a simply spring loaded push button and small bracket. I think you can see how it works in the pictures. KTM resolved this by using a rubber loop. I may try to incorporate this system later, but like the strength and security that the metal system provides.
- I wanted the kickstand to go up along the subframe when in the up position just like the Pro Moto Billet systems. This was a tough challenge to bend the kickstand to follow the frame and still be able to hold up the bike.
- I did not want to push my footpeg out by adding a bracket behind the bolt on mount, so wanted a weld on system instead. I sheared several various size pieces of steel, and just used the one that required the least amount of modification. The stop on my kickstand is a 1/4-20 allen head bolt. I think you can see how the head of the bolt hits the pocket and stops.
- I do not like how low most kickstands mounts hang on the frame, so wanted one that was high enough to ensure it would never touch the ground, even when the suspension was bottomed.
I tested the kickstand this past weekend, riding just under 200 miles, and never had a problem. We were also in the snow, so had several chances to try out how well it worked on several surfaces. My son Ben wasn't so sure about the addition of a kickstand, but after having to lay his bike on the ground several times this past weekend, wants one on his new bike.
If anyone has any questions on the specifics of the build, let me know. this kickstand can be made with a drill, a vise, and a grinder, so is easily replicated.
Rick