New guy here.

 

I fitted a centerstand onto my US F4i, Bought a cheap used EU model centerstand from ebay, just had to source longer bolt from Fastenal.

 

I think it was because the US bikes were based on the F 'Sport' Twin Seat, that due to its slightly sportier intentions were removed for weight savings. Not sure why this then carried onto the banana seat versions as they always had the stands for the European models.

'A' I have the same paint scheme as yours (mine is a 2006) but for some reason the pickup holes on the bottom of the shock mounts are a smaller diameter!!!!
Did you have to drill them out to fix the sleeves in or did yours already have them fitted, it was really odd, I have a stand ready to go but haven't replace the mounts or drilled out as yet.
Another little wriggle is that the aftermarket link pipe for the Yoshi that is fitted to mine does not have the stand bump stop bracket

 

I fitted a metal sleeve without drilling, the used centerstand that I bought came with all the small parts, spring, bracket, sleeve..
just not the long bolt that holds the centerstand.
Aftermarket exhaust without the bumper can probably have a bracket spot welded to the pipe. I don't think it requires much strength to stop the centerstand.
Good luck with that.

 

@"A" So you have a factory exhaust on yours? Does it have the bump stop on it? I know the F3's are the same way. EU has and US doesn't. I did fit one to my wife's 1997 F3, the purple one. Dealing with not having a bump stop with aftermarket exhaust is a pain. I don't recall what I did back then.

 

I think my centerstand bumper does not make contact with the exhaust, it makes contact against the bottom part of the rear shock mount when centerstand is not deployed.

 

Now that you mention it, I can see the rubber bumper above the spring on your pic.
My F5 had a bump stop on the intermediate pipe. I shall have to check the stand that I have to see where the bump stop is.

 

picked it up last week

 

Very nice, really like the colour

 

Best color scheme going! I might be a little biased though...