Sidestand Strengthening Revisited after scary MOT

[MIMbox]

Hi Guys.
For the non UK folk, the MOT is the yearly legally required test done on vehicles here.
Last week I caught the MOT testers levering the front, then rear of the bike up to check play etc using the sidestand as the pivot and the opposing wheel wheel to lever.
I mentioned loudly that sidestands have been known to fail, and do they have insurance..
This led me to wonder, I wont get time to fit a centre stand this season, but how did those of you who strenghened your sidestands get on?. I have a good spare Stand to strenghen, but am interested in Who did what, and if it worked. Thanks in advance. Phil

[rybes]

be the last time i used that place. if they do that on an mot are they doin the job properly ? sounds like jesse james n his gang to me.
not had to strengthen me sidestand as i got a center stand i use. dont trust the side stand for long periods.

[rf9rider]

Most places i`ve used for MOT`s use that method to check the play in the wheels etc.

So glad i`ve got the centre stand on the Steamer :)

[Rocinante]

Mine gave in at some point in time many years ago. I straightened it back out  more than original, and got a welder to weld on a ca 15cm rod on the stand, with the bent part in the middle. Piece of cake for a welder I guess.

[BigDan]

I use my sidestand to spin the bike round all the time...

As below in this vid by another guy on youtube;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nW1HzzS38c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nW1HzzS38c)

Although, note that my bike is the Girly not the steamer, so I don't know if that makes a difference.