Center stand for 1952 R51/3

Grant R26 · Post by **Grant R26** » Sat Jan 19, 2019 11:37 pm

My barn-find 1952 R51/3 has no center stand. Mike Benoit found me an original one and it appears to be the same as those reproductions I see on eBay.

As expected ...it does not fit as it should (grin).

When compared to my 1951 R51/3 it looks "about" the same and has the same spacing.

but it swung forward much further than it should when engaged. I've had more steel weld built up on the ears that stop against the frame and then I ground it to fit. Now the bike sits as it should when up on the stand but it does not retract far enough when I take it off the stand. The lug or boss that the return spring hooks onto seems to be the problem.

I've been told that the earlier straight-header-pipe R51/2 and R51/3 center-stands were different to the 1953 and later center-stand for the bent header pipes.

I think the difference might be where the return spring lug or boss is fitted to the left leg on the stand. I'm thinking that I need to cut if off and re-weld it on the other side of the left leg ???

I'm realizing now that my 1951 probably also has the wrong stand and it has been modified to fit... so using it as a guide is not helpful.

My request: if anybody out there has a 1951 or 1952 R51/3 or a R51/2 ...could they possibly snap a couple of photos showing where the spring lug is welded onto the stand.

Plus confirm if it is welded to the right side or the left side of the left-hand center-stand leg

this would be very helpful

Thanks
Grant in Toronto

wa1nca · Post by **wa1nca** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 9:36 am

Salis part diagrams
2 versions of the center stand

Wide version 240mm
Used on Full hub wheels with S bend pipes

Narrow version 190mm
Used on Half hubs bikes

The spring lug is welded onto the stand on the left side of the left-hand center-stand leg on both center stands but looks like they are in a different position as the stands are not the same

https://www.bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/p ... rt-one-30/

Tommy

The Plunger · Post by **The Plunger** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 10:16 am

Tommy, you beat me to it. Your '52 should have straight headers and the 190mm wide center stand. I'd like to see some pics of BOTH your plungers!

Brian

wa1nca · Post by **wa1nca** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:05 pm

1st pic
240 mm wide center stand 1954 R51/3 Full hub S pipe
This is my center stand
The legs are 240mm wide (9.5 ")
As Brian says yours should be 190mm (7.5") and spring attachment most likely also different

2nd pic
My frame just back from powder coater
Tommy

Grant R26 · Post by **Grant R26** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:49 pm

Thanks Tommy, I have the correct 190mm spacing, for the straight pipe exhaust headers. No issues there.

now that the welder is done today adding metal the stand is perfect when extended. Goes up easily and sits exactly where it should

but it does not retract nearly far enough. the boss where the spring attaches hits against the frame exactly as it does on the 1951 but somehow the geometry is different. when retracted the feet of the stand sit 1 1/4" closer to the ground and I'm afraid it will get hung up on stuff, especially when I trailer it on my MotoLug trailer.

so next plan is to use heat and some brute force to slightly alter the curve of the legs so the resting point will be further from the ground. that will change the extended position so I'll no doubt need to add some more weld but finally I think I can see a way to make this work.
As with all old bikes...nothing fits exactly as it should.

thanks
Grant

Grant R26 · Post by **Grant R26** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:50 pm

Hi Brian
do you want specifically photos of the plungers or shots of both of my R51/3 bikes ?

Grant

The Plunger · Post by **The Plunger** » Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:34 pm

Just some overall pics of the bikes is fine, I just like to look at plunger bikes!
Yeah, I'm kinda weird.

Brian

Grant R26 · Post by **Grant R26** » Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:00 pm

Hmmm...sounds totally normal to me ( but my wife might not agree...grin)
here are some shots of my 1951 and my "new" barn find 1952

Sit back and enjoy

Grant ...freezing in Toronto

oh...and I've included my 1951 Norton ES2 which also happens to be a plunger rear end

luca.stere · Post by **luca.stere** » Thu Jan 24, 2019 4:47 am

My barn-find 1952 R51/3 has no center stand. M

Until you find an original one I believe you can use an Ural M72 center stand. BMW R51/3 has the same frame as Ural M72 and most likely the same center stand: https://www.ural-zentrale.de/en/body/frames/main-stand

Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

Center stand for 1952 R51/3

Center stand for 1952 R51/3

Center stand

Ja!

240 mm wide center stand 1954 R51/3 Full hub S pipe

Thanks Tommy, I have the

Hi Brian do you want

Just some overall pics of the

Hmmm...sounds totally normal

Center stand Ural M72