center-stand spring

[Glen]

anyone have a particular method for pulling the spring? I just bought a center-stand for my '83 1100E, and for the life of me I can't get enough leverage to pull the spring around the hook. anyone have any tricks? thanks

[jwhelan65]

anyone have a particular method for pulling the spring? I just bought a center-stand for my '83 1100E, and for the life of me I can't get enough leverage to pull the spring around the hook. anyone have any tricks? thanks

Try a small vise-grips, usually the problem is grip.

[Nessism]

I do it by attaching the spring to the swingarm and then sticking a phillips screwdriver though the spring loop and the loop on the frame and prying the spring over.

[srsupertrap]

Here is a good method: With the spring attached to the frame and hanging down vertically bring your centerstand up and attach the loose end of the spring to the Centerstand. The centerstand will now be hanging horizontially. Now grab the centerstand foot rest and pull back so the centerstand bolt hole on one side is aligned with the frame hole so you can quickly stick a skinney screwdriver through both holes. This takes care of the spring pressure. With that done grab the other side of the centerstand, pull back and insert the first centerstand bolt. Remove the screw driver on the first side, pull the centerstand back and install the second bolt. Done and with no bleeding knuckles.

[Glen]

Try a small vise-grips, usually the problem is grip.

I actually tried with the big vice-grips, I couldn't do it

[Glen]

I do it by attaching the spring to the swingarm and then sticking a phillips screwdriver though the spring loop and the loop on the frame and prying the spring over.

I tried that too, no good

[Glen]

Here is a good method: With the spring attached to the frame and hanging down vertically bring your centerstand up and attach the loose end of the spring to the Centerstand. The centerstand will now be hanging horizontially. Now grab the centerstand foot rest and pull back so the centerstand bolt hole on one side is aligned with the frame hole so you can quickly stick a skinney screwdriver through both holes. This takes care of the spring pressure. With that done grab the other side of the centerstand, pull back and insert the first centerstand bolt. Remove the screw driver on the first side, pull the centerstand back and install the second bolt. Done and with no bleeding knuckles.

I'm gonna give that a whirl, that looks like it might do it. Thanks!

[RyanJ]

Another method I've seen recommended and used on my other bike was to bend the spring into a 'C' shape (with hands or vice grip/pliers) and insert a dime in one of the spaces that that open up. Bend the other way and insert another. Repeat. It makes the spring longer and will make it easier to attach. Once the stand is all bolted on, put the bike up on it and the spring stretches and the dimes fall out or at least are easy to pull back out.

[posplayr]

Another method I've seen recommended and used on my other bike was to bend the spring into a 'C' shape (with hands or vice grip/pliers) and insert a dime in one of the spaces that that open up. Bend the other way and insert another. Repeat. It makes the spring longer and will make it easier to attach. Once the stand is all bolted on, put the bike up on it and the spring stretches and the dimes fall out or at least are easy to pull back out.

Great Idea; amazing how many ways there are to solve the same problem

[Steve]

If you are broke, like me, just use washers.

.

[max parsons]

spring tool

You can buy a little tool that makes this job easy.It's a T handle with a hook on the end and I think they come from Motion Pro.If I can buy one in Finley I'm sure you'll be able to find one.

[Glen]

I just wanted to say that I used the dime trick (pennies in my case) and it rocked. I had to use pliers to pull the pennies out buy elbow grease was minimal. The spring slipped right on. Thanks for the ideas