Fitting Centre Stand

[BRIANW]

Santa was kind enough to deliver a genuine Honda centre stand for my '04 TA but unfortunately the fitting instructions are not that good. The stand is supplied with two spring (1 large and 1 small) but its not clear from the instructions if the smaller spring fits inside the larger spring or along side it. Can anyone help?

[boboneleg]

inside and get (or fabricate) a spring-puller to pull them over the lug on the frame.

[24ftlb]

Ive not messed with the centre stand springs but know they are under massive tention when in place. Its probably safer to fit the springs to the stand and bike and then pull the stand into the desired position. If the springs come adrift whilst pulling them you could loose an eye so eye protection is manatory.
PM piguglyshandydrinker... He has done battle with the center stand on a couple of occasions.

Paul

[Austin]

try this thread

http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtop...t=center+stand

[BRIANW]

Austin, Thanks for the info. I figured I might need to attach a length of cord to the spring in order to pull it but hadn't appreciated the amount of force required to stretch it. I may try an use a webbing ratchet strap as the wrecking bar method seems a bit brutal. Looks like a pig of a job but its got to be better than paying Mr Honda to fit it.

[russh]

Yep, I did it that way, using webbing straps, note the way which the smaller spring fits, the longer end goes to the frame,(I think!) I didn't first attemp..doh, and it wouldn't fit the wrong way round.

It took a couple of attempts as we changed the way the webbing strap was routed so as it passed the frame lug, it sort of forced the spring down onto it if that makes sense.

[Dessert Storm]

I used a method suggested on one of the XS650 sites: put spring in vice, and (carefully) force a large screwdriver between each coil one at a time, opening them enough so that a 2p piece can be inserted and then gripped by the spring when the scewdriver is removed.This extends the length of the spring. Keep doing this until the spring is long enough to fit over the hooks with only a small amount of brute force (with stand in 'up'position). When all is correctly attached, stand is put down and all 2p pieces fall out.

Made life a lot easier, but as others have said be very careful.

[Austin]

I used a method suggested on one of the XS650 sites: put spring in vice, and (carefully) force a large screwdriver between each coil one at a time, opening them enough so that a 2p piece can be inserted and then gripped by the spring when the scewdriver is removed.This extends the length of the spring. Keep doing this until the spring is long enough to fit over the hooks with only a small amount of brute force (with stand in 'up'position). When all is correctly attached, stand is put down and all 2p pieces fall out.

Made life a lot easier, but as others have said be very careful.

I tried this trick first but found the spring just bent like a banana. Anyway doesn't help with the inner spring.

[RainMan]

I used the stout screwdriver method as well and managed to get the springs on after about 3 attempts. The (genuine) stand has worked faultlessly for two years, only annoying niggle is that you have to put the side stand down first before you can use it.

[BRIANW]

Managed to sucessfully fit both springs using a ratchet (spanset) strap attached round the rear wheel. The ratchet strap I used was rated for a 1/4 Ton and it was starting to struggle towards the end. Its amazing the amount of force thats need.