The centre stand was introduced on the post war B31 and carried on to the plunger variants...It was BSAs first attempt at that type and it shows...The weight distribution is all wrong requiring the bulk of the weight to be lifted when operating the stand. The feet of the stand are also a poor design and the pivot and feet wear quickly...When my rigid B33 is loaded with camping gear and has a lot of weight on the back I'm physically unable to get the bike onto the stand...
Really the centre stand is handy for doing maintenance but I've fitted a side stand to mine for daily use...I should have done it years ago..Ian
It's a 1954 B31 stand and spring (swinging arm) which I had 'lying around'...I made the mounting plate, pivot bolt and some longer studs to attach it to the engine plates...I had to 'tweak' the stand leg slightly to get the lean of the bike just right after I'd mounted it...Ian