Center stand removal

marc11

Joined
Apr 3, 2024
Messages
14
Age
56
Location
Orange County, NY
Bike
2004 ST1300
Want to remove mine for painting it's a bit cruddy. Seems like it's just remove the bolt on right side, remove spring, remove cotter pin on left side and slide out pivot rod.

Anything I'missing? Is that pivot rod an issue to remove due to corrosion and other than the mufflers , which I already have off for other work, does the exhaust get in the way?
 
When I removed mine, I had to yank the exhaust header and associated exh system parts. That bolt will not come out to the right with the exhaust pipe in the way. I was swapping mine out for another with an extended foot lever that I bought from some guy on this forum. It came to me as welded, and I sent it out to be powder coated. You will need a new copper gasket (looks like a copper o-ring) for the header to cyl head connection. Don't over torque these nuts - you don't want to break a stud.

I found the springs to be very powerful and it was all I could do to reconnect them. I don't remember anything about removing them, but even using one of those brake tools, replacing them was no picnic. Be sure to use a waterproof grease on the axle and inside the pivot holes of the stand. You will be amazed how freely it moves when the job is complete.
 
Because I am a bit lazy I would not consider fighting with the springs, stuck pivot or mufflers in the way. My approach would be to wire brush the worst of the crud off and then use a small paint brush with some semi-gloss enamel, I use Hammerite but other brands would do. Two coats will give you a lasting, almost new, "perfectly decent from two feet away" finish and won't take you many days or skinned knuckles to do. I've done this on many of my bikes and it has proven to be a great improvement on sidestands, fairing sub-frames, triple clamps and the like.

YMMV.
 
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