Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: center stand, honda cb750, custom honda

Question
Hi--i'm wondering if maybe you could tell me where I could get some info on finding a center stand for a 1980 900 custom honda?--used would be ok--and cheaper.I can't find one

Answer
Hi Bill,

The internet, obviously, is going to be the best place to START looking. After that, it's time to call used bike parts houses that don't have their items listed online. Look in the back of Cycle World and other magazines (especially Classic Bike) and start dialing. Here's a great one that just happens to be close to me:

http://www.mikescycleparts.com

Some tips on looking online: don't be TOO specific. I typed "honda centerstand" into the search box on ebay and got 11 returns. Nothing specific to the CB900C, but remember, Honda used the same centerstand across many models. So if another centerstand from a large Honda (CB750, 900, 1000 or 1100) from, say, 1979 to 1982, pops up, you should check with a Honda dealer parts person (or use an online resource) to see if the same part number is used on both bikes. If so, then you've found one.

Also: on ebay, feel free to email people who are selling lots of old Honda parts and ask them if they have one. If they don't, chances are they may know someone who does. Try this guy:

http://feedback.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=olhonda...

That's the beauty of ebay and the net in general, it extends beyond the computer.

You'll round one up eventually, I've found parts a lot more rare than that. It just takes time and persistence.

Good luck!

Bill Roberson