Centerstand spring

Lost my centerstand spring while out riding today. Made a heck of a racket when it started dragging. I thought the engine or gearbox was about to blow.
I happened to have a spare spring but before I install it I want to make sure I am doing it right. 72 Commando
I am assuming the left end with the dog leg goes in the hole in the side of the engine cradle and the right end into the hole in the center brace of the stand?
Any other tweaks? Is it better to try to fit the spring with the stand down or up?

Looks right but with no idea of scale from picture its hard to say more than that.
Bend it by holding one end in vice and as coils open push washes or coins in gaps between them keep adding them evenly and as you do the spring gets longer . it is bit fiddly but far far easier than trying to stretch it. when its long enough fit it with flat hook in gearbox cradle and as you then move stand down it stretchs even more and washes fall out job done. If end of spring catches on stand as it moves up or down file stand away or it will dislodge spring in time. This is how Les Emery of Norvil fame told me how to do it an you would need to be Superman to just pull it into place. Have fun

I used the washer method, but could not quite get enough in the spring to get full lenth. I ended up taking mounting bolts out, adding washers to the spring, and then with the spring hooked at both ends and the stand loose I got enough to get one bolt thru. Then it was an easy matter to get enough leverage on the spring by tugging on the leg of the stand to get the other bolt lined up and thru.

Personally I'd avoid the washer inserts. Here's the no effort way. Get a 6 foot length of tough thin rope. Fit the spring to the frame tube and the centre stand. let it dangle free. Loop the rope around the cross brace of the stand, then feed it through the spokes on the front of the rear wheel and tie off as connected loop. Move the bike forward and as the wheel grips the rope, the tension lifts and pulls the stand up and rearwards. With a Phillips head screwdriver, wiggle the right hand bolt holes into alignment, insert the bolt and fit the nut. Do the same on the left, pushing the left stand ear into alignment by hand. Roll the bike backwards to relax the rope and fully tighten the nuts - PS Nylocs are good for this.

This is the method I used, popsicle sticks.

When I put mine on, I had the rear wheel off, so I just mounted the stand, attached the spring to the frame (in my case) and just pulled it over the stand with some vice grips, I had my feet on the cradle. Went right on.

Dave
69S

i had read all these styles before and was ready to use them. I bolted the stand on, attached the spring to the cradle, then tied a little piece of rope around the other end of the spring, put the stand up, put the palm of my left hand on the bottom of the stands foot and pushed forward, then wrapped the rope around my right hand and pulled it back. Brand new spring went in on the second try with some umph. they make spring pulling hooks that do the same thing, probably better, but hell i had rope! :lol:

kevbo82 said:

i had read all these styles before and was ready to use them. I bolted the stand on, attached the spring to the cradle, then tied a little piece of rope around the other end of the spring, put the stand up, put the palm of my left hand on the bottom of the stands foot and pushed forward, then wrapped the rope around my right hand and pulled it back. Brand new spring went in on the second try with some umph. they make spring pulling hooks that do the same thing, probably better, but hell i had rope! :lol:

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I used a very similar method to this, except that I happened to have a length of light chain handy that was perfect for the job.
With the bike on a workshop stand (the sidestand would probably be just as good) I fitted the centrestand, hooked the spring to the cradle, and attached the chain to the other end of the spring with a D shackle. Then, lying on the floor with one knee holding the centrestand horizontal, I stretched the spring into position. With both hands free to pull on the chain it was easy to do and took only a few seconds. The D shackle allowed the chain to be removed once the spring was in the hole.

Martin

Got it back on. Actually used a heavy duty zip tie. Bike on side stand. Center stand held up with a piece of wire. Hooked front end in cradle. Used looped zip tie to pull spring back and insert in hole in stand. Then cut zip tie off. Lets hope it stays.

htown16 said:

Got it back on. Actually used a heavy duty zip tie. Bike on side stand. Center stand held up with a piece of wire. Hooked front end in cradle. Used looped zip tie to pull spring back and insert in hole in stand. Then cut zip tie off. Lets hope it stays.

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oh yeah i used a zip to hold my stand up while i was pulling. Zip's are the new duct tape.

I used a small ratchet tie down to pul the spring back , wire hook on the spring , easy to get off , ...absolutely effortless .
I did it a couple of times just for fun , it was so easy .