What grease?

[Farjo]

Centre stand is no longer smooth and gets stuck half-way up and needs to be lifted by hand. So I want to take it off to clean and grease it.

Having had no spanner experience before biking I need to ask what grease to use. There seems to be many mentioned on an internet search - lithium, white, or mostly just "grease". I already have copper grease - is this good for the job or should I get something else?

And finally is this a job I can do myself - have read darsi's thread http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,2879.0.html however I would suggest that there is a gap between his years of experience and expertise and my own

[Fazerider]

I hope yours comes off easier than mine. My centrestand has been getting harder to use lately as it's developed a twist... it was fight to get the r/h bolt undone, had to take the angle grinder to the rounded-off locknut in the end.
Grease: main requirement there is something really thick that's going to stay put. I use Castrol Heavy.

[simonm]

I'm not altogether positive you need to take the stand off to do what you want.  Clean all the gunk off, use a degreaser, move it through it's entire range of movement.

A different bike, but you might learn some useful info on this page http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.qgntgwplktwyjcps&pageId=2214557

But in answer to your question, I am sure copper grease will be fine, just don't put much on.

http://fazerowners.yuku.com/topic/26806#.UdAdm_msiSo
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=6868.0
http://www.bikerforum.co.uk/topic/8355-centre-stand-spring/page__view__findpost__p__85378

[bandit]

Try lubricating with engine oil if you want to use grease lithium/general purpose or molydisulphide.

[andybesy]

Some lithium grease should do the job, you can usually pick up some cheap stuff from the pound shop.

Andy

[Dead Eye]

I'd probably go with lithium grease as well - seems a bit more resistant to water / muck than copper. I use copper on bolt threads to prevent corrosion more than anything else

[darrsi]

I could be very wrong but the reason it may be sticking might be because the stand is twisted, they have a bad habit of doing that?


As suggested i would degrease the joints first with brake cleaner, or whatever you have, and see if it helps at all. Then a heavy lithium grease is what i'd also use.


Don't bother with copper grease, that's used more to stop metals bonding together, rather than a moving parts lubricant.

[Punkstig]

Don't bother with copper grease, that's used more to stop metals bonding together, rather than a moving parts lubricant.

Yep, only use copper grease on nuts and bolts so they don't get stuck, normal grease on moving parts.


Tbh I wouldn't be too concerned about what type (lithiumetc) just greasing its going to be better than no grease at all!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Looking on 1000s corner, twisted stand seems to be a prelude to the thing breaking altogether, dumping the bike on the floor. If you're taking it off, might be a good idea to check that it's not cracked. Don't know if this has been a problem on the 6's?

[darrsi]

Looking on 1000s corner, twisted stand seems to be a prelude to the thing breaking altogether, dumping the bike on the floor. If you're taking it off, might be a good idea to check that it's not cracked. Don't know if this has been a problem on the 6's?

Yeah, they start with a bit of rust first, then twist.

[Farjo]

A big thanks for all the replies I think I'll leave it in place for now but try to clean it with chain cleaner and lube it with engine oil, see what that does.

[JZS 600]

I've got some white spray grease that does the job. Came from the WD 40 range that they brought out a while ago but does the job, even if it splatters a bit.

[JZS 600]

http://www.audiomate.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=WD1020&gclid=CMnnle2-jLgCFWzItAod22gADA


That's the bugger!


Got some of their de-greasant as well that does the job too...

[Doddsie]

Noticed mine was sticking yesterday (dont use the main stand much) I just gave it a few squirts of 3in1 oil and its fine again now!!

[Dave48]

When my centre stand twisted it was due to severe corrosion of curved tubular bridge section which has been cut out & a new piece welded in, restoring shape & strength If you can remove the stand bolts/nuts the shouldered part of the bolt dries out and gets rusty. Clean off & use lithium based grease on reassembly. Otherwise spray grease with "straw" attachment into the parts between stand & frame bearers. Double check springs ok-they do wear out intime.

[darrsi]

That tub would last me 20 years!

[unfazed]

Centre stand is no longer smooth and gets stuck half-way up and needs to be lifted by hand. So I want to take it off to clean and grease it.

Having had no spanner experience before biking I need to ask what grease to use. There seems to be many mentioned on an internet search - lithium, white, or mostly just "grease". I already have copper grease - is this good for the job or should I get something else?

And finally is this a job I can do myself - have read darsi's thread http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,2879.0.html however I would suggest that there is a gap between his years of experience and expertise and my own

Spray WD40 liberally on the spring and around the 2 bolts attaching it to the frame. Move it up and down to see if it frees out. If so it just needs greasing. I usually use good quality chain grease and it works fine. Worst case scenario is that it is starting to crack and needs to be replaced. Not a difficult job just awkward to get at.

[Slaninar]

I use some spray lubricant. I believe it is mixture of teflon (PTFE, whatever they call it) and lithium soap base lubricant. Easy to just spray beneath the bike.

If you want to be thorough: 1st some degreaser, then wash it off, then some WD40. Let it drip. Then apply some grease and spray lubricant.


I got cheap some red "coplex lithium grease". It is very good. This explains advantages:

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/28381/grease-lithium-production-resistance

The complex grease doesn't get more gummy in cold than the regular one, at least it appears that way.


When in doubt:

Elastica - Vaseline