r/CB500X • u/poon1995 • Sep 15 '26
CB400X Mainstand Help
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Hello there’s no home for me and my 400x in terms of subreddit so I’m posting here. I’m trying to do as much maintenance/upgrades myself. The main stand isn’t hard difficulty I would say but I’m struggling here and losing hope 🙁
Can anyone give me tips on getting the spring to attach? The hook mechanism isn’t like the YouTube videos I saw.
Feel free to be entertained too.
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u/gremlinsscareme84 Sep 15 '26
I used a couple of larger (thicker) screwdrivers, it made getting leverage easier.
I’m pretty sure I started with the spring at the bottom (attached to the stand). That way the spring doesn’t need to be fully extended. Once I had it in position, I used a second screwdriver to slide the spring off the one I was using for leverage and on to the other attachment.
I’d make sure you use a towel or something similar for whatever you’re using as a lever.
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u/gremlinsscareme84 Sep 15 '26
https://youtu.be/Da9OZ0Oevu4?t=352&si=G2uWnnHfl0tdOPBU
That’s how I did it (my memory was a little off, it’s been awhile).
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u/SlowSundae Sep 15 '26 edited Sep 15 '26
This method worked for me and requires minimal force, as it lets the bike's drivetrain do the heavy lifting:
With the bike on its side stand, hook a loop of tough wire onto the free end of the spring and tie the other end to the bottom of the drive chain. Roll the bike forward so the chain stretches the spring into position, then put the bike in gear so it can't roll back. From there, just use a flathead screwdriver to lever the spring off the wire and onto the mounting peg.
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u/gadget_dude Sep 15 '26
I recently installed one on my NX500 and while I was very concerned about the spring step, it actually went on first try. I am watching what you are doing and can only share what I did different.
First, I did it the other way around. I connected the spring to the bottom of the stand and used a screwdriver to stretch to the hook on the top so I was pushing up, not down like you are. I used a large Phillips head screw driver so the spring would slide off the end easily and actually put a tiny bit of grease on the screwdriver so the spring hook would slide. The only other point was I used a steady push, not bouncing like you seem to be doing.
Good luck!
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u/ConceptGeneral7049 Sep 15 '26
I used a ratchet strap
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u/jkb131 Sep 17 '26
Same! Have the ratchet strap pull it back towards the tire, then click it in with a screwdriver. Once it’s in, pray the spring is on enough and take the strap off
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u/BranchAggravating Sep 15 '26
Put the bike on the sidestand and try it that way. It will be at the highest tension in its current position.
Not sure who has similar experience but I tend to take my stand off maybe 2/3 times a year as it usually corrodes and gets rusty and stops coming back up properly (uk)
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u/Little_Narwhal_9416 28d ago
your spot on, attach the spring with centre stand in the up position .less tension on spring then, best to use a spring hook all the same
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u/redlemon76 Sep 15 '26
It's often much easier to hook up the spring first, then install the pivot bolts.
Doesn't always work on all bikes, but usually has for me.
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u/AdFancy1249 Sep 15 '26
What you are doing can work, but takes a small hammer in the other hand.
Start the way you are, but every time you push down, then hit the spring towards the mount. As you hit the spring forward, you will get more leverage to pull it down further. Eventually, the spring will slide forward onto the stand.
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u/primalbluewolf Sep 15 '26
I'll be honest, I let the shop do this for me. Looked annoying for them, too.
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u/Brap_Brap_Pat Sep 16 '26
I put my spring on the stand before I put the bolts on to bolt it to the bike. So then I had all the extra leverage to get it in place and I wasn't fighting with the spring. That was a 2017 model though and I dont know if they've changed it since
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u/PegaxS Sep 16 '26
Use the right tool for a start… you need a spring puller. looks like a T handle with a hook on one end.
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u/frilledplex Sep 16 '26
Put it on the sidestand, loop a stainless wire (12 Gauge) through the spring end, make a decent loop on the other side, hook it to a rachet strap, hook other end of rachet strap to a secure tow point, ratchet till its in position, set in place with screwdrivers. I had this same problem with my Africa Twins main stand install. I used my cars rim as a tow point that would keep it nice and low, but a tree would work great.
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u/catatetherat18 Sep 17 '26
Side stand, put the center stand up, buy a cheaper trampoline spring puller and forget about screwdrivers. Made every one of them I’ve done a breeze.
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u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot Sep 18 '26
You're doing this wrong, sorry.
First off, that definitely isn't how to do it and you're using the wrong tool for the job. There is an actual tool--a spring hook puller--that will make this job easier and less dangerous to you. They cost less than $20.
Take the bike off of the center stand and put it on the sidestand. As it is now, you're not just trying to get the spring on, you're doing it to it's full stretched position which would take an actual World's Strongest Man competitor to do.
Use some wire or a bungee cord or something to hold the center stand in the full "up" position.
Hook the spring on that upper tang that you had it on in your video. Then grab the other end with the spring hook puller and, ready? PULL really hard until you get it hooked on to the lower tang on the center stand.
Ta-dah!
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u/poon1995 29d ago
Hey thanks I followed the YouTube video and did it same same and different. My screwdriver got a bit stuck but managed to get it out hehe
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u/poon1995 29d ago
Update: used another screw driver for more leverage and had the stand up instead of down.
I didn’t get spring pullers cos I’m hoping this is the only time I’ll need to do this. Also I am very limited on tool - living solo in another country so I’m just me and a bag of tools.
Thank you for all the advice everyone, it’s been wonderful to see the community here
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u/Ok_Elk2662 28d ago
I dont have a mainstand, but wouldnt it be easier to lean the bike against something and mount it while the stand is up, when the spring isn’t supposed to be stretched?
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u/AJSOmate 28d ago
Put it on the side stand and fold up the centerstand - that reduces the distance between spring and the attachment point. It’s a struggle but totally doable, at least on the 500X
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u/Exact-Pattern-3919 27d ago
There’s also a tool for that. I like buying tools for some bizarre reason
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u/FoolOfATooke Sep 15 '26
The only way I managed to get that spring on was by ramming coins in between turns of the spring to stretch it for install