46 BMW 1983 R100RS Install Center And Side Stands

I am not using the stock side stand for three reasons: the bushing and bolt are trash, it’s in an inconvenient location hidden by the cylinder and lower fairing panel when extended making it hard to deploy, and the bike came with a Brown’s side stand which mounts further back on the frame so it’s easy to deploy.

Parts

I replaced the center stand pivot bolts and bushings, and the bumper it rests against when it’s retracted. The pivot bolt threads were damaged and the bushings were worn which made it hard to put the bike on the center stand. The lock nuts and return springs are in good condition so I reuse them.

Part #                   Description                                                                Qty
46 52 2 302 046  COUNTERSUNK HEAD SCREW – M10X30 (from 09/80), Cntr Stand 2
46 52 1 236 528  BUSH – 11MM (from 09/80), Cntr Stand Pivot Bolt 2
52 53 1 236 128  BUMP STOP – H=10 (from 09/80), Cntr Stand 1

Tools

On the earlier model center stands, I was able to install the center stand return springs with vice grips, and/or a large flat blade screw driver. Those failed on this design so I bought a brake return spring hook at my local auto parts store. It works like a champ.

Brake Spring Install Hook

Brake Spring Install Hook

To install the center stand pivot bolts, I use a shortened 6 mm Allen wrench that will fit between the oil pan and the center stand bracket.

Cut-Down 6 mm Allen Fits Between Oil Pan And Center Stand Bracket

Cut-Down 6 mm Allen Fits Between Oil Pan And Center Stand Bracket

Install Center Stand

I had the center stand powder coated, the holes in the feet welded up and a flat steel bar welded across the feet to prevent the feet from sinking into soft surfaces like hot asphalt parking lots in the summer.

Center Stand Wear and Tear After 82,000 Miles And 37 Years

Center Stand Wear and Tear After 82,000 Miles And 37 Years

Powder Coated Center Stand

Powder Coated Center Stand

Powder Coated Center Stand

Powder Coated Center Stand

The center stand mounts on brackets welded to the bottom of the frame. The hardware includes a flat head counter sunk  Allen bolt, a bushing and lock nut. There is a rubber bumper the left foot of the stand rests against when the stand is retracted. There are two return springs that mount on a pin on the inside of the frame bracket. The end with the spring coils goes next to the center stand.

Center Stand Hardware

Center Stand Hardware

Center Stand Return Spring Orientation

Center Stand Return Spring Orientation

Orientation Of Rear Exhaust Cross-Over Pipe

This year bike has two exhaust cross-over pipes and the rear one goes behind the transmission. The pinch bolts should be oriented vertically so they won’t interfere with the left center stand leg and return spring. I originally installed the rear cross-over pipe with the pinch bolts on the bottom as I did with the front pipe and had to reorient it.

Rear Cross-Over Pipe Mounts Behind Transmission, But Pinch Bolt Orientation Will Interfere With Center Stand And Left Return Spring

Rear Cross-Over Pipe Mounts Behind Transmission, But Pinch Bolt Orientation Will Interfere With Center Stand And Left Return Spring

Orientation Of Rear Cross-Over Pipe So Center Stand Clears Pinch Bolts

Orientation Of Rear Cross-Over Pipe So Center Stand Clears Pinch Bolts

Install Center Stand Bumper

The left foot of the center stand rests on a rubber bumper that installs in the hole on a bracket on the bottom of the frame. I used a lubricant (Ru-glide tire mounting lubricant, but soap or WD-40 should work) on the bumper stem to help slide it into the hole. It took some “persuasion” to convince the bumper to go into the hole.

Left Side Center Stand Bumper Bracket

Left Side Center Stand Bumper Bracket

Center Stand Bumper

Center Stand Bumper

Center Stand Bumper Installed In Left Side Bracket

Center Stand Bumper Installed In Left Side Bracket

Install Center Stand Pivot Bolts

The center stand pivot bolt and bushing fit through the hole in the frame bracket and the side stand.

Center Stand Pivot Bolt Bracket On Bottom Of Frame Next To Oil Pan

Center Stand Pivot Bolt Bracket On Bottom Of Frame Next To Oil Pan

The “top hat” of the bushing fits on the outside face of the center stand hole with the lock nut on the outside face.

Pivot Bolt Bushing Detail

Pivot Bolt Bushing Detail

Pivot Bolt Bushing "Top Hat"

Pivot Bolt Bushing “Top Hat”

Pivot Bolt Bushing Orientation With "Top Hat" on Outside

Pivot Bolt Bushing Orientation With “Top Hat” on Outside

Pivot Bolt Bushing "Top Hat" Orientation

Pivot Bolt Bushing “Top Hat” Orientation

The bolt head goes behind the bracket on the inside of the bracket next to the oil pan.

Pivot Bolt

Pivot Bolt

Center Stand Pivot Bolt Hardware Orientation

Center Stand Pivot Bolt Hardware Orientation

The center stand slides over the outside of the frame bracket.

Center Stand Leg Goes On Outside Of Frame Bracket

Center Stand Leg Goes On Outside Of Frame Bracket

I slide the pivot bolt into the hole in the frame bracket from the inside. I put wheel bearing grease on the top hats. I insert the bushing in the center stand hole and slide the pivot bolt through the bushing. I finger tighten the lock nut to hold the center stand leg and then the other pivot bolt and finger tighten the lock nut.

Pivot Bolt Slides In From Back Side At An Angle To Avoid Oil Pan

Pivot Bolt Slides In From Back Side At An Angle To Avoid Oil Pan

Wheel Bearing Grease On Bushings

Wheel Bearing Grease On Bushings

Pivot Bolt Loosely Installed

Pivot Bolt Loosely Installed

Install Return Springs

After both pivot bolts are installed, I tighten up the lock nuts tight enough that the center stand will stay in the fully retracted position without moving so it is easier to install the center stand return springs. I insert the cut-down 6 mm Allen key into the pivot bolt head. I had to cut down the Allen key so if fits between the frame bracket and the oil pan.

Cut-Down 6 mm Allen Wrench Fits Between Frame Bracket and Oil Pan

Cut-Down 6 mm Allen Wrench Fits Between Frame Bracket and Oil Pan

There are different length return springs and this bike uses the 143 mm long springs (part# 46 52 2 301 583). I tried installing the return springs using vice grips and a large blade screw driver, which works on the earlier design side stands, but had no luck. I picked up a brake spring install tool and this worked well.

I install the spring with the long leg on the pin on the inside of the center stand frame bracket so the hook on the spring end is curved upward as that orientation worked better for installation with the brake spring tool.

Center Stand Return Spring Mounts On Pin On Inside Of Pivot Bolt Bracket

Center Stand Return Spring Mounts On Pin On Inside Of Pivot Bolt Bracket

Use Spring Hook To Put Springs On Center Stand Loops

Use Spring Hook To Put Springs On Center Stand Loops

Orientation Of Center Stand Return Spring

Orientation Of Center Stand Return Spring

The rear exhaust cross-over pipe pinch bolt clears the left center stand leg and return spring and the left foot rests against the rubber bumper when the stand is fully retracted.

Center Stand Rear Exhaust Cross-Over Pipe Pinch Bolts

Center Stand Rear Exhaust Cross-Over Pipe Pinch Bolts

Center Stand Return Spring Clears Rear Cross-Over Pipe Bolt

Center Stand Return Spring Clears Rear Cross-Over Pipe Bolt

Center Stand Return Springs Installed

Center Stand Return Springs Installed

I loosen the lock nuts on the pivot bolts enough that the return springs retract the stand fully.

Install Brown’s Side Stand

The Brown’s side stand bracket has two holes. The rear hole mounts on the rear engine mounting stud with an added star washer to keep the bracket from rotating. The front hole uses a special bolt and nut to secure the left exhaust header bracket which would normally be mounted on the rear engine mounting stud.

Therefore, I installed the Brown’s side stand when I installed the mufflers and you can see how I do that here:

Brown's Side Stand

Brown’s Side Stand

Left Side Muffler Bracket Mounts On Front Hole Of Brown's Side Stand

Left Side Muffler Bracket Mounts On Front Hole Of Brown’s Side Stand

Brown's Side Stand Bracket Rear Hole Mounts On Rear Engine Stud

Brown’s Side Stand Bracket Rear Hole Mounts On Rear Engine Stud

Brown's Side Stand Installed

Brown’s Side Stand Installed

Checking Out the Side and Center Stands

I take bike off the lift to test out the side and center stands. Both work smoothly and it’s nice to be able to put the bike on the center stand again. 🙂

Side Stand Works

Side Stand Works

Center Stand Works

Center Stand Works

12 thoughts on “46 BMW 1983 R100RS Install Center And Side Stands

  1. Hi Brook,
    I am a big fan of your web site and enjoy your in depth articles. I also have a 1983 r100rs that I purchased new and currently have over 600,000 miles on the bike. How did you get the “Brown’s” side stand to look like new?

    • Hi Bill,

      Thank you for the kind words. In short, elbow grease, steel wool (0000) and AutoSol Marine polish.

      Best.
      Brook.

  2. Thanks for posting this, Brook.
    I am in the process of replacing the well worn centerstand on my 83R80RT. The right round foot is more than half wasted, the left pretty bad, too. I opted for a new used centerstand on ebay yesterday and removed the old one today.It definitely needs replacement. I noted that you wrote that the bushings I.D. are 11mm yet my old ones measure 10.1 maybe 10.2mm any idea why there is a difference?
    I will be ordering new ones and am wondering how they would work with my usable bolts? Buying new are an expense I would like to avoid.
    Also, are the new nuts nylocks?

    • Hi Mark,

      The bushing size is from the parts fiche which indicates it is 11 mm. I did not measure mine.

      The bushing and bolt take a lot of abuse. If they are worn, the center stand doesn’t work smoothly. That’s why I replace both the pivot bolt and bushing.

      Best.
      Brook.

  3. Hi Brook,
    The center stand for my 1972 /5 (46521234757) is different than that posted above and for the life of me I cannot find a method ( coins?) to stretch the spring the short distance to attach. Surely there is an easier method than using brute force. I tried vise grips, looping a wire and pulling which bent the spring ( new on order). Also purchase an auto drum brake tool as suggested but there’s no room to gain leverage. What am I missing (?), I’m sure there’s a better way.
    Can’t ride w/o cs .
    Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

    Also interested in the 327 mm engine mounting bolts as I have a set of Henry floor boards which leaves little meat for the nut on standard 306 mm. Do you have (2) in stock?

    TIA
    Craig T.

    • Hi Craig,

      First of all, the part# for the 327 mm engine mounting stud is (46 71 1 230 475) and you can get it at any BMW dealer. It’s the stock length for the 1983 RS for both the front and rear studs. The /5 motor used two different size studs: Front (46 71 1 230 762 [306mm]); Rear (46 71 1 230 475 [327]).

      Second of all, the center stand on a 1983 model is different from the 1970’s /5 series. You can look at all the /5 work I did here:
      –> 1973 BMW R75/5 Rebuild: Project Index Unfortunately, this material doesn’t include installing the center stand.

      Center stand springs can be a bear. I install them with the stand positioned so the distance between the two mount points for the spring is at a minimum. Recently I have used an automotive brake spring tool successfully.

      Best.
      Brook.

  4. Having fitted the centre stand I find that it was fouling the spring ,so I changed the mounting bolts ,as I got the bike in a million bits much doing and donting it’s on ,have rebuilt the bike r100rs many thanks to you brook Regards Derek

  5. Hi Brook. Great write-ups and videos.

    I’ve got an ’83 R100RS and I’m getting ready to install a Browns side stand. The instructions that were included with the stand must be generic, because on the RS the through bolt at the rear of the engine is not the mount for the foot peg (as the instruction sheet says).

    In your photos you show the exhaust clamp in front of the side stand, while the instructions say it is supposed to be behind. Is this just another difference for the RS?

    Thanks,
    Steve Shockley

    • Steve,

      I showed how I installed it, which is the way it was installed when I removed it from the bike. It works fine so I assume the way I installed it is ok.

      Best.
      Brook.

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