Centerstand

Looks like something oot of a dentist's office..

 

I put the Honda center stand on my 1200. Very easy. Hardest part was getting the cotter pin in place (hard to get to). Springs are easily installed with a screwdriver - just make sure you have someone else to steady the bike. No lift needed. Will take about 30 minutes.

 

That tool looks like could have many uses, off to Harbor Freight!

 

I finally got around to installing my center stand last week before taking the 1200 in for the drive shaft recall. I did not have a lift and did part of the job on the side stand and the final part when installing the springs with the bike upright in my roll in wheel chock. Honestly the hardest part was getting the cotter key in and bent properly. There is very little room between the mid pipe and the end of the center stands shaft for someone with big hands like mine. This part of the job was done on the side stand because when laying on your back trying to get the cotter key and washer installed on the exhaust side you have more room to see what you are doing. I needed a second set of hands to keep the hollow shaft fully seated while installing the cotter key and washer on the right side. The springs are very strong but I did not have that much trouble once I threw the instructions in the corner. Honda says to install both springs at the same time. Could not do it even with a special tool designed for this job. Install the large spring first, then insert the smaller spring through the large one and hook on the front. Use a flat blade screwdriver to lever the hook on the smaller spring over the rear spring tang. No problem with installing the two springs when I did it this way.

 

Oldest trick in the book: pound pennies into the spring at several points until it's as long as you need. :topsy_turvy:

 

The easiest way to install the center stand is to go on Pit Bull's website, order the custom stand for the 1200 and you are done!!
Super easy to put on when you need to do some maint or want to store it......super easy to take off when you don't need it.

I dunno but it may cost as much as the Honda stand.

Just my $0.02.

 

I say forget the center stand and buy a high lift motorcycle stand from harbor freight($149) or use a steel bar with a jack stand (80 cents at home Depot ), no more bending down