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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Install Center Stand Pivot Bolts

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

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

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

The center stand slides over the outside of the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• 18 BMW 1983 R100RS Install Exhaust System
  • Install Left Header Bracket And Brown’s Side Stand

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. 🙂