1983 FXRT kickstand question : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

oldiron47 · 11-04-2012, 08:54 AM

Just recently bought a 1983 FXRT and I am going through it to make it road worthy by fixing some minor problems. One thing I am having a problem with is the kickstand, it hangs loose and wobbles when in the up position. It is not a spring issue, it appears to be worn where the pin moves in frame. Does the motor need to be raised up from the frame to get to the cotter key in order to release the kickstand for a better look? Any information I can get is greatly appreciated.

Krowbar · 11-04-2012, 01:47 PM

Release the front motor mount and raise the engine slightly so upper adjusting screw is accessible. Do not loosen front stabilizer link.

oldiron47 · 11-04-2012, 05:40 PM

Thanks Krowbar, I'll loosen the front mount. It doesn't look like I have an adjusting screw but it should give me access to the cotter key. Nice looking bikes!

oldiron47 · 11-14-2012, 11:43 AM

Well I was not able to get the to the cotter key by raising the front of the engine. Looks like I will need to remove the inner primary to access it. I will also either have to put a bushing on the pin or weld the elongated hole where the top of the pin has worn out the metal. Has anyone else ran into this problem?

Krowbar · 11-15-2012, 05:57 PM

What I posted was directly out of the service manual. I haven't had to replace mine, just heat it up and bend it... haha

Thermodyne · 11-16-2012, 12:13 PM

Lots of people have run into that. It's a weak point on FXR's.

oldiron47 · 12-26-2012, 02:09 PM

Well I was finally able to remove the cotter pin by loosening the front motor mount, jacking up the engine and using a cotter pin removal tool purchased from Sears. The service manager at my local Harley dealership told me about the cotter pin removal tool; he was around when the 1983 FXRT was new and told me that is what they used. It turns out there were 4 issues with my kick stand, the spring was worn, the tab on the original kick stand that the spring attaches to was bent, the pin was worn and the welded bracket the pin turns in was also worn. So a new spring, a replacement $10.00 swap meet kick stand which had only a slight amount of wear, and a bushing made from some old stainless steel pipe I had lying around I am back in business. When the vendor at the swap meet told me he wanted ten bucks for the kick stand I nearly ripped my pocket pulling my wallet out. After I handed him the money he wanted to know what bike it fit. Once in a while you get lucky. Happy New Year to all.

gretsch58 · 12-26-2012, 09:41 PM

Good you got it fixed. I know it takes more time, but it's good on these forums if you can take pictures of the process when fixing issues like this for others to possibly learn from.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy that bike of yours.

oldiron47 · 12-27-2012, 09:06 AM

I like pictures too Gretsch58. I am not an artist by any stretch of the word but between the photograph and my sketch hopefully what I said in my previous post will make sense.

gretsch58 · 12-27-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldiron47

I like pictures too Gretsch58. I am not an artist by any stretch of the word but between the photograph and my sketch hopefully what I said in my previous post will make sense.

Hey thanks, it's always good to have info here to help others.

Cheers!
Bob

creepyben71 · 01-13-2013, 06:45 PM

HI, I've run into this problem many times at my shop. You have to first remove the outer and inner primary to be able to see whats really going on. With that out of the way ,your kickstand bracket on the frame my be worn out or broken. Now comes the fun part you can sometimes just weld up the worn part and file it down.Or you can just replace the frame bracket.I have gotten one from Paughco before.Its a total pain to properly fix this problem.To replace the bracket the motor has to be removed. Then make sure all of the associated parts are in good shape ,and re assemble. Without a doubt the FXR kickstand sucks at best. It will work ok as long as all of the parts are in good shape (not worn) and assembled correctly.Good luck with it.