Like many, I'm sure, I was disappointed to see that our bikes don't come as standard with a centrestand ( mainstand ). I was even more disappointed to find that the optional stand was only listed for the F and X models. An enquiry at my dealership met with an adamant "it won't fit". However, a bit of Internet research seemed to suggest otherwise, so I made a pest of myself in the showroom and crawled around on the floor amongst the bikes with my tape measure...
And, whilst the CBR500R lacks the little bracket/stop on the silencer and yes, the belly fairing on the left hand side of the bike extends back past the stand mount, it's hardly "completely blocking" it like the parts guy and the workshop were trying to insist.
So, with the warnings of a 20% restocking charge ringing in my ears, I decided to take a punt. Now, there are two different stands available from Honda, one for the X, which I assume must be a little longer in the legs to account for that models greater ground clearance and another for the F, which is the one I went for as, aside from fairings and handlebars, these two models are identical. The part number is: 08M70-MJW-J40 and, in the U.K., has a list price of £105.
For that sum, you get a stand, a pivot pin, a securing bolt and a spring. Not astonishingly good value for a part that would have added about £10 to the cost of the bike if it had been part of the line build, but we are where we are and someone, somewhere has decided the market doesn't need them.
Once I'd got the parts in my hand, I started by taking the lower fairing off the bike.
This is the rear side of the silencer, showing the area where the F models have the stop bracket welded to.
I could have fashioned something and welded it on here, and may still do so. I'll also keep my eyes peeled for a take-off silencer from an F on eBay. Whatever, it's not vital as I shall explain.
Here's the area of the frame where the stand bolts up. This part is identical across the range of 500 models.
Next job was to offer up the stand. Unsurprisingly, it went straight on.
Right. So, what did I do next?
Moving to the right side of the bike, here we can see the silencer securing clamp.
This has a little tag on it and a series of notches around the silencer to locate it positively and stop it spinning. You can rotate it approximately 90° so the bolt is inside behind the pipe, rather than underneath it. You'll have to remove the bolt completely and spread the clamp slightly to disengage the aforementioned tag, but it is easy enough to do.
Next I cut a short, 40mm (1-9/16") length of 25x25x3mm angle (1x1x1/8") and drilled an 8mm (5/16") hole in it. I then chamfered it off and gave it a squirt of paint.
Which I then used the clamping bolt for the clamp to hold in place. The original bolt is long enough, which is a bonus.
Next up, rumble through the boxes of "might come in handy" bits of hose, and find a short length of 25mm (1") I/D hose. And split it lengthways.
This wraps snugly around the stand leg, and is held in place with a couple of zip ties.
This provides a positive stop to prevent the stand fouling the chain, with a buffer so there's no metal-metal contact, and it sits pretty much exactly where it should, with enough spring tension to stop things rattling. You can see it's about spot on in this view from the other side.
Fitting the spring is tricky, but a stout screwdriver and a bit of careful leverage gets it on ok.
Right. That's the stand on and working. The last job is to refit the lower fairing. Despite all the doom-mongering, it went straight back on ok. There was a very slight bit of scuffing as the stand passes it which I suppose I could either have lived with (unlikely ? ) or trimmed a bit (possibly), but I chose to simply pack out the rearmost mounting screw with three washers to give the required clearance. I had to use a longer screw for this, but fortunately had a stainless M6x20 button head screw which did nicely. I may make a proper spacer up on the lathe at some point, we'll see.
Space in my workshop is currently too tight to get a series of pictures of it all fitted and back together and it's been too dark and rainy to take any outside, but I'll update shortly with some "after" shots. For the moment though, I can definitely say that it fits, works and doesn't foul anything. ?
And, whilst the CBR500R lacks the little bracket/stop on the silencer and yes, the belly fairing on the left hand side of the bike extends back past the stand mount, it's hardly "completely blocking" it like the parts guy and the workshop were trying to insist.
So, with the warnings of a 20% restocking charge ringing in my ears, I decided to take a punt. Now, there are two different stands available from Honda, one for the X, which I assume must be a little longer in the legs to account for that models greater ground clearance and another for the F, which is the one I went for as, aside from fairings and handlebars, these two models are identical. The part number is: 08M70-MJW-J40 and, in the U.K., has a list price of £105.
For that sum, you get a stand, a pivot pin, a securing bolt and a spring. Not astonishingly good value for a part that would have added about £10 to the cost of the bike if it had been part of the line build, but we are where we are and someone, somewhere has decided the market doesn't need them.
Once I'd got the parts in my hand, I started by taking the lower fairing off the bike.
This is the rear side of the silencer, showing the area where the F models have the stop bracket welded to.
I could have fashioned something and welded it on here, and may still do so. I'll also keep my eyes peeled for a take-off silencer from an F on eBay. Whatever, it's not vital as I shall explain.
Here's the area of the frame where the stand bolts up. This part is identical across the range of 500 models.
Next job was to offer up the stand. Unsurprisingly, it went straight on.
Right. So, what did I do next?
Moving to the right side of the bike, here we can see the silencer securing clamp.
This has a little tag on it and a series of notches around the silencer to locate it positively and stop it spinning. You can rotate it approximately 90° so the bolt is inside behind the pipe, rather than underneath it. You'll have to remove the bolt completely and spread the clamp slightly to disengage the aforementioned tag, but it is easy enough to do.
Next I cut a short, 40mm (1-9/16") length of 25x25x3mm angle (1x1x1/8") and drilled an 8mm (5/16") hole in it. I then chamfered it off and gave it a squirt of paint.
Which I then used the clamping bolt for the clamp to hold in place. The original bolt is long enough, which is a bonus.
Next up, rumble through the boxes of "might come in handy" bits of hose, and find a short length of 25mm (1") I/D hose. And split it lengthways.
This wraps snugly around the stand leg, and is held in place with a couple of zip ties.
This provides a positive stop to prevent the stand fouling the chain, with a buffer so there's no metal-metal contact, and it sits pretty much exactly where it should, with enough spring tension to stop things rattling. You can see it's about spot on in this view from the other side.
Fitting the spring is tricky, but a stout screwdriver and a bit of careful leverage gets it on ok.
Right. That's the stand on and working. The last job is to refit the lower fairing. Despite all the doom-mongering, it went straight back on ok. There was a very slight bit of scuffing as the stand passes it which I suppose I could either have lived with (unlikely ? ) or trimmed a bit (possibly), but I chose to simply pack out the rearmost mounting screw with three washers to give the required clearance. I had to use a longer screw for this, but fortunately had a stainless M6x20 button head screw which did nicely. I may make a proper spacer up on the lathe at some point, we'll see.
Space in my workshop is currently too tight to get a series of pictures of it all fitted and back together and it's been too dark and rainy to take any outside, but I'll update shortly with some "after" shots. For the moment though, I can definitely say that it fits, works and doesn't foul anything. ?