Getting FJ on the center stand woes

[PaulG]

All I do is drive down with my foot. Think of driving a shovel into the hardest ground you've ever dug into. Not jerky stabs with the foot and yanking on the bar, just determined that you're going to do it and the "shovel" is going to go into that ground. The bike reacts and rises, rotates about the stand axis and moves back. Done. The handle bar and the grab bar are really only to balance myself while the leg does the work...

Hmmmm... I've heard that before.  Over 30yrs ago in my MSF training when I first got my license.  Sorry to say I sometimes forget, especially at the beginning of the season.  After nearly pulling a muscle sometimes I give myself the forehead slap (or two)  and relearn it all over again.

[Tekime]

A LOT of great tips! Seems I'm not the only one that has had a few struggles.

Leveling it out made a huge difference for me, no real problems now.

Who are you guys 130lbs ! I haven't seen that number since I was 12 years old.

Haha, my dad swore I'd pack on another 30 when I hit 30... nope! I just got skinny in my genes I guess (not jeans, mind you :p)

[Earl Svorks]

There is a variation of this method that I sometimes use. Providing you have a foot or two of room, you
can roll the bike ahead , then reverse the direction . While you begin to roll the bike back, then deploy the stand and let the momentum do the work. You help with a quick push on the stand, the bike practically jumps up on it's own.
   Cheers
Simon

[Nova]

There is a variation of this method that I sometimes use. Providing you have a foot or two of room, you
can roll the bike ahead , then reverse the direction . While you begin to roll the bike back, then deploy the stand and let the momentum do the work. You help with a quick push on the stand, the bike practically jumps up on it's own.
   Cheers
Simon

The only downside of this method is if something goes wrong, the stand doesn't catch, you trip, etc... You risk having 600lb of motorcycle that is going either on its side, on top of you, or both.

[Earl Svorks]

 I think that what you describe is a risk not exclusive to this specific procedure.
   
   Simon

[Bearly Flying]

Vespa makes a really nice scooter that You might be able to handle.

My 120 lbs GF can throw the FJ on the center stand no problem.

[wainot-Phil]

Hi from Aussie,, Have you checked your Rear Wheel for UP and Down play while the Bike is on the center stand .
Put the Bike on the center stand ,then slide a  Bar or length of timber between the Tire and Floor and see if the Wheel has any UP and Down play in it at all.
The more play up and down you have ,the closer the whole Bike sits  to the ground,
Which means that you have to lift the Bike up that much more ,to get it onto the stand,
If you have a lot of play ,that will be the problem,,
the play will be in the lower joint ,under the rear shock,you need to replace the Bearings or sleave,
hope that helps,
please advise how you go,,
cheers Phil