How to Install a Centre Stand on a Suzuki V-Strom 650
Installing the genuine Suzuki centre stand on a V-Strom 650 is a manageable DIY job with basic tools. The stand itself is relatively straightforward to mount; the difficult part is stretching the two return springs into position. I found that looping strong cord through the spring and pulling from behind the bike gave me the leverage and control needed to hook each spring onto its mounting point.
Why I fitted a centre stand to the V-Strom A centre stand was high on my list of additions when I bought my 2020 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT. For the type of riding I plan to do, it isn't just about parking the bike. Being able to get the rear wheel off the ground makes chain cleaning, lubrication and adjustment easier, and it's useful for a range of maintenance jobs at home or on longer trips. I decided to fit the genuine Suzuki centre stand rather than an aftermarket alternative. Having now installed it myself, most of the job is reasonably straightforward. There is, however, one part that deserves a little more explanation. The springs. Before you start Give yourself enough room to work comfortably around the lower part of the motorcycle and have your tools laid out before you begin. I also recommend watching the installation video above before tackling the job. Seeing where the components sit and how the springs are installed makes the process much easier to understand. As always, use the correct Suzuki workshop or accessory installation information for fastener specifications and torque settings rather than relying on figures copied from an unrelated installation. Installing the centre stand The centre stand itself mounts underneath the motorcycle using the supplied mounting hardware. Take your time identifying the components and their orientation before tightening anything. I found the machining and fit of the genuine components made this part of the installation relatively uncomplicated. Once mounted correctly, the stand should pivot freely through its range of movement without binding. But getting the stand attached is only part of the job. It still needs enough spring tension to pull it firmly back against its stop when you're riding. The difficult part: fitting the return springs The V-Strom centre stand uses two return springs. They're under substantial tension, which is exactly what you want once everything is installed. Unfortunately, that same tension makes getting them onto their mounting point considerably harder. Trying to simply pull them into position by hand wasn't going to work for me. I needed more leverage. The cord method that worked for me The solution was surprisingly simple: strong cord. I looped the cord through the end of the spring and used the additional length to give myself a much better pulling position. Rather than trying to generate all the force with my hands immediately beside the spring,…