Centerstand

How easy is it to install a center stand? Does it need to be on a lift?

 

Not a clue for your 1200. I installed one on my 91 using a lift. Better said, we installed. If you bought it from your local Honda dealer or are going to buy it (??), get a quote from them on price and installation in writing.

Getting a couple of matching prices from other dealers is good back up.

 

I'd like to think on the 1200 it's pretty straight forward in a process, as I've done a couple on other bikes, that said, the spring could be your nemesis

 

If this dude has to wait until spring, I'd be looking for another supplier.

 

I was referring to the spring in ones step , as in first part of any project is to get on with it, no lollygagging. or is that no dillydallying.

 

I was going to get one off of Amazon, I just need to know does it have to be on a lift or can I just have someone hold it upright while I install?

 

Well I found instructions on another message board and it looks like its pretty simple I just still was wondering if it was easier to do it on the side stand or if it's easier to have someone hold it up.

 

awe.. simple answer is, it's always good to have some one hold you up during a task like this. You can bolt it in on it's pivot point bracket Now the mighty spring is another ??? in the past on other models, It just took a good set of hands and a good set of pliers, since I don't have a clue to the tension amount here, it's tuff to say how much effort needs to be applied, give it a try, pop it up, you'll know whats what, from that worse thing is you'll have to take it off, thing is it's a tad easier to install the spring when it's folded up IIRC. But you know the law of springs right?

 

I found using a screw driver with a thick shank works on the spring. Put tip screw driver on retaining hook and the spring on the shank, pry up till spring eye can slide down onto hook. Will still take several tries.

 

For front tire removal using the centerstand, is there room underneath to prop the bike up with a jackstand or is the exhaust in the way?

 

Would ya go for shilly-shallying?

 

Got the center stand put on today, wasn't too hard maybe 45 minutes and most of that was struggling with the springs. Looks like I'll be able to prop the bike up where the oil drains and service the front wheel.

 

See I tolds ya, no willy-waggling and it's done. yes you can lightly lift the front up with a jack of your choice.. disclaimer; if it falls over, it's on you

 

I don't see How it would fall "over", maybe "forward", but if there's a jack under it......

 

You should be able to just get the front wheel off the ground with a little jacking up under the chin faring or what ever is there that is structurally secure, , thing to watch for is don't let the rear tire have much in the way of contact

 

RVFR you have been around here long enough to appreciate Badbilly's unique sense of humor. It is a wonder he didn't introduce something humorous about HD's and centerstands.

 

Sounds like the OP has the problem solved. Never installed a centerstand on a 1200 but I have on my 91. Used a lift and another set of hands. Same deal with an install of a Reynolds Rideoff stand on the BMW and a couple of fixes on the centerstand on the SR500. Thin tubing on that one. Now fixed with gussets.

Having somebody hold up a 500lb+ bike and trying to install a centerstand with a bigass spring to battle is not a great idea on any bike. Like the man sez. " It's on you" if it gets dropped.

As far as doing one on a Harley? Forget it!!!

 

i just installed the centerstand on my new 2012....(a deer ate my 2010)...it was easy....the trick for installing the spring is to prop the centerstand in the up position and use auto mobile brake spring pliers.....the hard part was getting the cotter pin in.....very close to the rear header pipe

 

ta da smart man.. I mean for putting up the photo