When I first got this bike, I had to use all my muscle to rock it off of the center stand.  It made me wonder about the R65 model… but then I realized that both tires were still touching the ground while it was on the center stand.  I still wasn’t sure if this was correct or not.  I thought it could have been on of the R65 quirks until a local mechanic friend told me it was due to the center stand being slightly bent.

1980 BMW R65

So the bike went back up on the lift…

1980 BMW bent center stand tabs where it touches the frame

The bent area was filled in with a weld on both sides

Ground the weld down to be flat again. I could have kept a bit more material in hind sight.

Painted and ready for re-install thanks to my mini garage helper.

The front wheel no longer touches the ground and it is much easier to rock off the center stand.  I could have built up even more material so it would sit a bit higher but I was being conservative. I wasn’t really sure how much was too much.  But for now, the problem is solved.

1980 BMW R65 red