Vara centre stand

[Athelstan]

Just bought an 09 Vara on a 59 plate. No centre stand...the Honda one looks a bit expensive compared to some after-market ones. Any advice would be helpful, meanwhile it will live on my paddock stand.

[Boris]

Have a look at SW Motech Mainstand

I think the prices have changed but my views still stand.

[Snaphappy]

I got the SW Motech one I presume its a fraction of an inch higher than the Honda cos its a bitch to use, without a good grab handle it aint going up the pannier rack is the best but can use the passenger grabrail

.... dont bother buying the extra grab handle thats useless

Just read the link from Boris, that sums the fitting and use, but have no problems with the finish rub down with an oily rag and it looks like new

[davsato]

ive got the honda one, although it does cost more (but not much) its a quality bit of kit and i can hoist my vara up even fully loaded with 1foot+1hand. good job because when you put the stand down and centre the bike prior to lifting it it feels like its going over! i haven't had the guts to let go of the handlebar yet during the operation!

[Curzon]

+1 for the genuine honda one. Yes it is more expensive, but I don't mind paying the difference for OE quality, ease of fitting and OE designed to fit! It has made a world of difference for routine maintenance, cleaning chain maintenance etc. From memory I think I paid something like £115 from David silvers about a year ago.

Hardest part of fitting was the main return springs. Most of us have struggled to fit this the hard way, then some wise old codger pops up on here after the event to tell you about the 2p coin trick! Doh!!

[Boris]

Hardest part of fitting was the main return springs. Most of us have struggled to fit this the hard way, then some wise old codger pops up on here after the event to tell you about the 2p coin trick! Doh!!

I tried that out of interest and it took ages and doesn't work.

The easiest way I found is to use a pair of small mole grips and clamp them to the peg the spring is to go on. Clamp them in such a way that they stop a long screwdriver sliding off the peg and lever away with said screwdriver. Works every time you can get the grips on. When you cant get the grips on use the longest fattest cross head or pozi drive screwdriver you have and lodge the peg in one of the "V" shaped grooves on the end of the screwdriver, spring half way up and and lever away. So far these two tricks have fitted dozens of big springs in seconds.

[davsato]

or use a spring puller?
make one by wrapping strong wire or string loosely round a spanner for a handle

[Steve T]

2p method . . .I tried that out of interest and it took ages and doesn't work.

Does so!

Used that method when fitting a SW Motec stand onto a previous @ and, with the aid of a vice when fitting the coins, the extension of the spring with the coins worked a treat

Shuffling off to the garage . . .

Steve T

[mathand1]

Quiet agree with the honda choice, but like they say 'You get what you pay for'...
The vara is a beast to lift up but I agree with davsato ..'When you put the stand down and centre the bike prior to lifting it it feels like its going over!'

After you down this a few times you do get used to it but the Honda stand gets my vote everytime..It looks better , better quality, and some of the other makes have been known to rust up pretty quick..

Could not be without my stand now, it makes life so much easier..

Happy hunting..