DesertRat

To get my 87 Venture on the center stand I use a 12" section of 1" pipe. Slip the pipe over the foot pad on the center stand, grab the handle bars with your left hand and the passenger grab bar with your right. Put your right foot on the end of the pipe, pull the bike backwards and at the same time step down on the pipe with your right foot. The pipe gives you extra leverage and will "pop" right up on the stand. I carry mine in the left saddle bag.