I just bought a 1991 XLH883. I assumed the installed kickstand spring was weak because the kickstand would not contact the rubber bumper and just flopped around. I ordered a new OEM spring and found it was the same length and when installed the kickstand still flops around. I don't believe there were any alterations to the kickstand or spring attachment points. Anyone else have this problem?

 

I have a 1991 as well, I bought a replacement spring off Ebay, but have not installed it yet. My kickstand is a bit floppy as well. Someone posted up about using a 4" spring from Home Depot that pulled it up tight. If you take off the rubber bumper, it's supposed to be easy to install the new spring. I think the post about the Home Depot spring was on this forum, but possibly over on XLF

John

 

I'm not sure why the Home Depot spring would have worked because at 4" it is longer than the 3.7" OEM spring. I'm wondering if the spring is not the problem but I don't see any other changes that could take up that much slack in the spring.

 

I don't know either, all I know is what I read, and it was a 4" utility spring from Home Depot. Use the search function, maybe you can find the original posting.

Here, I saved you the effort:
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ckstand+spring

Here's the Home Depot part for you:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...5608/202045475

John

 

Thanks John, I will try those Home Depot springs; it's worth a shot.

 

I measured the replacement that I have not installed yet. 4" from outside hook to other outside hook. I tried to make sure the hooks were extended. I have not changed mine yet, perhaps over the holidays. Good luck.

My 1991 is fairly stock, I bought her brand new. No mods to stock kickstand. Is your rubber bumper stopper missing?

Please post up your results, I can use the knowledge.

John

 

I'm having this problem on an '07 Fat Boy. The bronze bushings were destroyed, but even after replacement, it's still floppy. The new spring was exactly the same as the old one. I'm wondering if something is bent.

 

I bought the Home Depot spring that John cited and it worked! It isn't any shorter than the OEM spring so maybe it's the strength of the spring. I'm not sure what the OEM spring tension is but the Home Depot spring is 60lbs. It's strange though because it's easy to get the spring on just by pulling one end with pliers while the jiffy stand is in the retracted position. Whatever the reason, the spring keeps the stand tight against the rubber bumper/stop.

 

For reference, the correct spring is #50005-85A. With my 1990 Glide, also bought new, the spring has stretched over time, so I have replaced it twice. There is a trick to installing a new one, to avoid over-stretching it. I'm not sure if there is also a trick when changing the Sporty one.

 

I've read that on our bikes (1991, at least) you can remove the rubber bumper and push the stand so it slackens the spring, then replace it. Haven't done mine yet, but I might just go get a Home Depot spring in case my replacement is the same as the OP and still allows flop.

Glad to hear there is a solution out there!

John