Dre-XT-Stück - self-retracting sidestand

 Let's assume you have a (pretty) extensively modified motobike in a country with relatively strict laws on the matter and it's time for the annual inspection (TÜV/MOT/call it what you will, you get the idea - overhere it's colloquially simply called "the sticker"). Now the logical assumption would be that the bike failed on one of the more or less obvious modifications and not one of the few bits that were still stock. 

So now we're turning the sidestand into one of the self-retracting variety. (Not that something like this ever existed on an XT600 before 1987 and this one is a mid 1984 model.)

 After looking at how it is done on other Yamahas of the era, I dug out a German model XV750 or XV1000 sidestand and realized the only thing I really needed was a pin to act as an over center pivot.

As that weld has to take ALL of the force of the spring and is under pressure all the time while it is parked on the sidestand, I decided to make a proper weld with the amps cranked up to eleven-and-a-half.

 

 Looks pretty unassuming and very stock. 

... and that was all it took to pass the inspection.