Centre stand springs....alternatives??

[moosehead]

Just discovered I lost 1 spring and destroyed the other on my 78 R100....arrrrraugh...

Didn't notice until putting on centre stand last night...

Going on small 3 day adventure this weekend with my 2 sons. So going to remove the stand for now or else bungee it up. Have Brown side stand but really like using centre stand. Can order the springs from Motobins or Max BMW but that takes a week or more.

Anybody come up with "home brew" alternative to these springs?

Safety wise, think I,ll just remove CS for now and enjoy the ride or if can come up with alternative for those springs. Guess will check my local TSC store for their spring assortment but those centre stand springs are pretty unique in their design as I recall.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

I'm thinking it might be worth a shot to take the one spring you have in hand and visit your local Lowes/Home Depot, fastener store, or really big hardware store and look over their selections.

Also you could advertise on the IBMWR want ads for the springs. I doubt they are in short supply and I reckon they don't move very well. This would be your best chance for a bargain. Also, if you're a member, I think the BMWMOA has a want ads section.

And there's always eBay for whatever that's worth.


Ken

[ME 109]

Get a spring from almost anywhere. They're just a normal spring, just gotta match it.
I lost one a few weeks back too. Two springs are overrated! Sort of belt and suspenders thing.

Cable tie? the stand in place till you get a new spring. It's a pain in the ass to get the stand off. ime, anyway.

[Kurt in S.A.]

I never found the big box hardware stores had that great of a selection of springs. I was really impressed with Ace True Value stores, though.

Kurt in S.A.

[moosehead]

Well, oldest son (yikes he'll be 40 next month!!!) finally out of the sack and so we had a look see over a coffee in the garage.

Found couple of old CS springs off an 83 R80 but they don't work on the 78...here's what the springs look like off the 78..


hooks at either ends are 90 degrees to each other..

So. off to the Tractor Supply store to see what they have (they got best assortment of heavy duty springs)...maybe come up with something.

Also noticed one of the bolts is knackered which may have been the cause of the springs disappearing..."screw it" #1 son says..."let's take it off"..."I'll make you a nice couple of 2x4's you can put under the valve covers so you can have the damn bike on a centre stand"...OK.

I guess for safety reasons better to just remove the damn stand, but I'm still going to see if we can jury-rig something.

Oh, #2 son has now arose....this will be interesting as he's Mr. Fixit....but he needs his 13 cups of coffee first to "contemplate" a repair....hmmm

I was hoping to get away "early" today...that's the operative word...but "early" to these guys is 10am not 6am! O well. all in good time....its now pouring rain so we're not in a rush right now. Better get the rain gear out.

Sigh....when it rains it pours...the starter relay is acting up or else its the start switch button...hopes it the switch. This could be an interesting run...going to clean contacts rather than hunt for spring solution.

[Duane Ausherman]

One person used a bungee cord as the spring. I don't recall how it was attached, as that was 100 years ago.

Enjoy your weekend ride.

[Kurt in S.A.]

Would an octopus strap work better?

Kurt in S.A.

[moosehead]

Enjoy your weekend ride.

We will if we ever get going.....my wife and grand kids are pushing us out the door...the wives are already out shopping...gee will we ever get going???

So bungeed and cable wrapped up the center stand plus going to add some baling wire for extra comfort. 2 x4's are packed. Will try take off centre stand tonight if we ever get to the first camp.

#2 son is still contemplating a "fix" now that he has finished coffee #12....told him to get on the damn bike and think about it on the trip...we"ll see

. Adios...aw shit...raining again and I'm on a naked bike...not even a windscreen ok maybe we can outrun it if we leave now!!!?.......NOW being the operative word....they just don't understand "time".... This could lead to thread degradation real quick

[Primate]

Adios, indeed. I hope you read this in a few days, meaning you're getting some miles for the rest of us (like me, at home with the boys & our nephew).

As for your center stand spring, my buddy once fashioned a damned good fix for his with a wire coat hanger. Never failed him, even on our rides on primitive desert dirt roads.

Ride safe, Moosehead.

[Primate]

Adios, indeed. I hope you read this in a few days, meaning you're presently getting some miles for the rest of us (like me, at home with the boys & our nephew).

As for your center stand spring, my buddy once fashioned a damned good fix for his with a wire coat hanger. Never failed him, even on our rides on primitive desert dirt roads.

Ride safe, Moosehead.