I have been suffering from difficulties to handle my Moto
Guzzi Le Mans iii. To get on and off, unlike the modern bikes, its side stand
is unreachable with your foot while you are on the bike.
Some Japanese Guzzi riders have found a
reasonable way to add a side stand on a normal location. (Thanks to Mr Nene-jiichan, thanks to Mr Sironeko, and thanks to Mr. Yamaya)
This is a guide to convert a Honda Super
Cub (Japan Post Version) side stand to a Le Mans.
You will need the following;
Side stand for Honda Super Cub, Japan Post
version. (Available at Yahoo! Auction of Japan in the range of JPY1000 to 2500)
(Please be noted that the most of the seller at Yahoo!Japan Auction do not ship goods to overseas)
A metal bar to add a hook
M10/55mm bolt & nut
Black paint
Tools:
A vise (better be a large one)
An angle grinder
A 11mm drill
A welder
Preparation
Place your Moto Guzzi Le Mans on a solid
base using a jack, so that the bike is stably vertical without its center
stand.
Remove the mufflers and H tube from your
Moto Guzzi Le Mans
Check the engine mount bolt in front of the
center stand to see if the nut is on the right of the vehicle. If it is on the
right side, pull out the long bolt and reverse the direction to have the nut on
the left.
Then, remove the center stand bolt, and
replace it with the M10/55mm bolt & nut. Make sure the direction of the
bolt is that the nut is on the left side.
Processing
Insert the metal base place of the SuperCub
stand into a vise to flatten it.
Make it as flat as shown here
Then, cut the base plate with an angle (disc)
grinder to the size shown in the photo
The gap between the edge of the plate and
the stand arm is stated here as 15mm, but actually it is up to you. You may
adjust the angle of the arm by shaving the plate near the pivot. Please do it
gradually and carefully, or do it at the very end of the all process. Should
you have shaved it too much, it will be difficult to restore it.
Next is drill the holes accordingly as
shown in the photo. 80mm between the center of the each holes, and 14mm between
the bottom edge of the place and center of the farther hole. Before starting
drilling, please make sure the locations of the holesyou’re your bike. The
positions define the angle of the bike with the side stand deployed. Diameter
is recommended to be 11mm.
Also, the shave the edge of the back side
of the plate as shown here
This is required to avoid contact with the
bike frame. Again, fit the plate to bike before you actually start the process.
Next, is to shave the end of the stand arm
in order to make a surface parallel to the plate
Actually, when the center stand is
deployed, the spring of the side stand may touch the surface of the center
stand. Perhaps, adhere a black tape on the center stand to avoid the paint to
come off.
These are the basic part of the procedure.
From here is the supplemental procedure at
your will.
How about adding an extra bar to make it
easier to deploy the side stand?
In this case, why don't you cut the metal anchor bar
like above and weld it on the arm as shown here
It may require different angle, different
length in accordance with your silencer shape.
You may ask a local professional ironworks
to do the welding or the whole procedure.
What is left now is paint it in black, bolt
it on, put the muffler back on the bike.
Moreover, the additional thickness of the
side stand plate reduces the excess length of engine mount bolt. You may replace the washer with a thinner
washer of remove it at all.
This is a picture from a friend of mine,
showing the complete unit of the modified Super-Cub Side stand.
Remove the H-shaped chamber and mufflers

Shown here are the removed H-shaped Chamber and right-side
muffler.
Remove the long bolt of the engine mount
Reverse the bolt and put the modified side
stand on with the nut of the long bolt coming to the left side as shown in the
photo
Easy peasy.
Adjust the angle of the stay
Done
This beautiful Le Mans III is owned by Mr Yamaya
In my case, I have asked an ironworks in neighhorhood.
The pro has modified it so well as shown aboveLooking down the side stand
The added side stand is easy to reach with your foot while you are on the bike.
Pull it down
So easy to keep the heavy Le Mans steady
Isn't it cool?
Now I love my white Le Mans III even more....
All procedures must be done at your own
risk. We are not responsible for any consequences you may face by reading
this document.
With a side stand in a proper position,
riding a Le Mans or a Tonti Guzzi will be much easier and more comfortable,
enabling you to ride farther and faster.
Enjoy!