2014 VFR800 Centerstand Install

Discussion in '8th Generation 2014-Present' started by Vulcanator, Feb 17, 2018.

  1. Vulcanator

    Vulcanator New Member

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    As posted in another thread, it was my plan to install a centerstand to my 2014 VFR800. Today I finally did it. The attached photo shows after 4 hours of work the finished product. I decided to go with the centerstand for ease of maintenance and better parking stability. I was tempted to buy a Pitbull stand but changed my mind on that.

    Like many others, I tried to source the kit, but they are unobtanium in the USA. So I bit the bullet and ordered all the parts individually from Bike Bandit. The total cost of the parts were just over $160, which I received inside of 2 weeks after ordering.

    I downloaded the PDF of the installation instructions and set to work. I just wanted to share my experience of this installation to be of help to others who may contemplate this job. Firstly I did this job by myself, If I had an assistant, I probably would have saved some time. Some of the clips you have to remove to remove the fairing were a bit fiddly. They have a center that you push in about a couple of mm, then you can pry them out. I actually had a couple missing on mine, which surprises me as I have a 2000 mile bike.

    Follow the instructions carefully when removing the fasteners from the fairing. I nearly busted the screw attach point of the middle fairing halves where they bolt together at the bottom! Step 17 where you remove the bolt collar and washer direct you to discard the bolt. I thought I had screwed up because I didn't order that part. The reason they say that is the original bolt is swimming in Blue Loctite, and took a bit of effort to remove. I cleaned up the bolt and used some Blue Loctite that I had on hand when I reused the bolt.

    Step 23 was a pain in the arse. The 2 smaller bolts that go through the rear brake master cylinder kept turning, why? Because the exhaust heat shield they're attached to is by a free nut and washer-no nut plate. Steps I did contrary to the instructions, firstly step 26, it has you take out a couple of bolts that allow you to free up some wiring. After careful examination of the bike I couldn't see the necessity of it. Secondly, I separated the muffler from the exhaust system, this would pay dividends later.

    Installing the stand wasn't too hard, The right side has a collar, rubber washer, and nylon washer. The left side has a spring washer and collar. This made the stand install on the attach bosses a press fit. Here an assistant would have been good. I was able to work this by feeding the right side slightly before the left side. A little bit of wiggle and heft and I was in business. The right side bolt has a left hand thread, and I reused the the left side after applying Blue Loctite to it, they both installed without incident.

    Before I installed the centerstand springs, I reattached the exhaust. I made the mistake of attaching the rear headers without checking the fronts first-oops! I used a dab of grease to hold the front exhaust gaskets in place, and then by judicious moving of the radiator lined up the front headers first, followed by the rear headers. The rest of the exhaust installation was straightforward.

    I installed the rest of the centerstand hardware then had to figure out how to install the 2 springs. The instructions tell you to use 2 people for this part, but I was able to do this by myself with no fuss at all. With the muffler still removed, you can raise the centerstand high enough that the distance to hook the springs is less than 1/2" I clamped a copper washer in a vice grip, place the spring hooks in the center of the washer and using the sidestand as a brace easily installed the springs!

    I finished things off by installing the muffler, reattaching wiring, and securing the radiator. After 4 hours, I was running out of good light, and I was getting tired. So I will finish the job off tomorrow by re-installing the fairings. In all I'm pleased with the result, yes it's a pain to do all this work because you have no clearance to install the right centerstand bolt, but I now have my bike how I want it and enjoy that extra versatility when parking, maintenance, and cleaning.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Feb 24, 2018
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  2. fink

    fink Member

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    Well done on installing and the write up.
     
  3. Economist

    Economist New Member

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    You really did a great job!

    Out in the real world, the centerstand really is worth its weight in gold. Your write-up makes me glad I paid the dealer to install mine.

    I had enough trouble installing the factory heated grips a few weeks ago!
     
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  4. Vulcanator

    Vulcanator New Member

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    Thanks for the compliment. I must admit there were times I wished I had a dealer do it, but I had nothing else to do on a miserable weather weekend in Portland. I have no issue working on my own bike, I've always done my own maintenance. I'm a bit rusty because of my 15 year absence from motorcycling. I suspect the dealer would charge you about 4 hours in labor which at current hourly rates here would be about $400. I rather spend that money on gas, the genuine Honda service manual that's on its way, and a new summer jacket I'll be needing.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2018
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  5. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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