centre stand spring fitting tip.

[johnwalsh]

I know other methods have been suggested, but I struggled trying to fit new springs. This was my preferred method. With the stand in the down position the springs only need to be stretched about 5/8" to meet the hooks on the stand. Attach spring to the g/box spacer and using a strong ( nylon ) cord make a loop of about 5" and attach to the small hook on the spring. Pass the loop over the hook on the stand from the front and then up towards the front of the bike. Now attach a piece of rope to the loop which can be held by your accomplice. With one foot on the foot of the stand the accomplice can heave up on the rope while you attach the spring using pliers. A few drips of oil help the cord slip over and around the stand. Worked very well.

[paul.jameson]

The sad thing about tips like this one is that the factory staff probably had far simpler and easier methods to achieve this same objective. The much sadder thing is that we have no idea what these methods were. So, many thanks for the tip.

[johnwalsh]

Quite right Paul, in the day the factory must have had a purpose made tool for the job.

[ainsleybrand]

Bending the spring and putting washers in alternatively works a treat!

[johnwalsh]

Sorry Ainsley, I don't quite understand what you mean. Just curious.
Just noticed, now the proud owner of a nylon jacket

[Gary.Durrant]

hi John
I think what Ainsley is suggesting is bending the spring to open up a coil and inserting a washer or coin, then bend the other way and insert another washer in the next coil and so on, until the spring is stretched enough to hook it on. Then remove the coins/ washers...

it works, but you may need quite a pocketful of change if it's a big spring!

[ainsleybrand]

Yes John,
Gary has it right, bending the spring in alternate directions and inserting a washer, or if minted, coins does the job, as you acn see the spring extend to the right length. Worked for me! Needing my nylon jacket due rain!

[johnwalsh]

Hi Aisley, I thought I had already replied to Gary's post and explanation, but I couldn't have sent the post. I do see now and agree your method does seem a more relaxed ( and no need for safety specs ) idea.

[roger.attwood]

I've just refitted my centre stand, but managed it on my own.
Raise the back end of the bike so that the centre stand is off the ground by an inch or two - I used an axle stand under each axle nut.
Place the pins in the holes in the frame.
Fit the springs, so that the stand hangs from them, with the stand feet forward and down, the pivot holes rearward and up under the frame.
Line up the holes as close as you can get them, then on the right side press down on the stand foot with your right hand (keep your arm fairly straight and use your body weight). Line up the hole and press the pin in as far as it will go. It won't go all the way as the other hole isn't lined up.
Swap sides and hands (left stand foot with left hand), and push the pin home. Back to the right side again, and push the pin home.
I found it worked because I could use my weight to stretch the spring (no pulling/pushing).
I also tried it with the stand hanging under the frame, but with the feet rearwards. There are too many obstructions on the frame to line up the holes.

[Mike Nash]

Reading the above, I was a bit concerned about fitting my centre stand especially as I found that some of the springs I've got are impossible to loop through the holes in the stand without modifying the holes and trimming the springs. And spacing out the curls of the springs with washers and coins didn't seem to lengthen them enough.

But lining them up as in the picture above you can see they're different lengths, the original ones on the right. (The wooden battens are actually parallel although they don't look it; its a trick of the camera 'cos its poorly set by me.) I found that numbers 1 & 3 (counting from the right) fitted quite easily by allowing the centre stand to hang from them and then pressing the support bolts through one by one.
So I suspect that modern springs are too short as well as some having poor curls at the centre stand end.
Regards from MikeN.