Centre stand springs... secret technique??

[AndyR34]

Having removed the stand (& springs) with a view to addressing the corrosion by removing the surface rust (!), priming, repainting and lacquering it I thought all was going well until I tried to reattach the twin return springs... OMFG! I didn't think I was weak but clearly I am as no matter how hard I try, I am still 10mm short of being able to get it over the lug.

Things I've tried:

Heat springs in oven... Unsuccessful
Remove mounting pins, attach springs and try to reinsert pins... Unsuccessful
Remove one spring and try try to attach other when brackets are correctly fitted... Unsuccessful

HELP

Andy

 

[Big Lee]

Get a loop of paracord or the like and hook that over the end of the spring and pull the end of the spring over the pin

 

[haditlowered]

i saw a suggestion to put coins between the coils ... it seems to make sense but I've not tried it

 

[DING-DONG]

I just put a centre stand on the new Africa twin, to stretch the springs I reversed the bike upto the back of the car, rear bike wheel against bumper, bike stand fully up, strong boot lace hooked on to spring and use a ratchet strap thro tow hook of car and other end on to boot lace and just ratchet away into spring in line. .

 

[Bem]

FWIW, on my 658 after securely jacking the motor up I undid the pivot bolts on the stand, attached springs, then used the levering action of the stand to get in to position - a third hand is always useful in these situations!

 

[MikeO]

Unwind a wire coat hanger - bend it in half and snag the spring's hook in the bend. It will allow you to use enough force to pull the bike over (joking - get someone to steady it) - you'll easily refit the spring. I've used this technique dozens of times...

 

[ChazzyB]

You can get a spring puller - a hook with a T-bar handle. OTOH, I use a large nail, bent in the vice, then held with a large mole (AKA vise) grip. Tip: wear eye protection when pulling springs.

 

[mrtee43]

Don't bother with bent nails or wire, if it slips you are going to scratch something big time. I used the same method as Ding Dong and it is just so easy. No force required, just a smooth easy action.

I used a thick flat bootlace to do the job instead of cord.

Before that I tried the coin method and a bent wire from a cheapo bucket. Both failed miserably and a waste of time.

 

[patzx12]

All wrong, use a rachet strap

 

[CPJS]

i am another one for the cord method.
Ingrediants : Loop of strong cord a ft. long and a hand sized piece of broom handle
One spring at a time.
Put the spring on the pivot end of the stand, then put a loop of cord on the other end of the spring, the other end of the cord round your handle.
Sit on the ground facing the front of the bike and put your feet against the side stand and pull like a rower, you'll get the idea.
I have used this method for years on all sorts of springs, just vary the cord strength and method of pulling

 

[Nutty]

I just put a centre stand on the new Africa twin, to stretch the springs I reversed the bike upto the back of the car, rear bike wheel against bumper, bike stand fully up, strong boot lace hooked on to spring and use a ratchet strap thro tow hook of car and other end on to boot lace and just ratchet away into spring in line. .

I didn't think an AT would be your cup of tea.

 

[AndyR34]

Gentlemen, again I am indebted to you all.

Will give it another go using the wisdom (and brute force) listed above

Photos to follow... if I get it back together... centrestands are overrated anyway...

Cheers

Andy

 

[Stevie4scoops]

I stretched the spring in a vice, put 2p peices between each gap and it worked a treat!

 

[DING-DONG]

I didn't think an AT would be your cup of tea.

It's not, the feckers i no seem to think I've become some kind of Dealership ! 3 turned up today, can you do this little job for us.

 

[Nutty]

It's not, the feckers i no seem to think I've become some kind of Dealership ! 3 turned up today, can you do this little job for us.

If only you were closer, I'd have enough jobs to keep you busy as well!

 

[mrtee43]

All wrong, use a rachet strap

Didn't Ding Dong and I just say that ?

 

[AndyR34]

Hurrahhh!

Using a combination of the above techniques, said centrestand is returned to a fully assembled and functioning state

I eventually used two loops of paracord (Royal Blue in colour to match my bike colour ;-) ), the ironwork on my front wall topping (slight angle to give two fixed points with enough room to spin a ...), ... a large flat screwdriver for applying tension and 11p in two pence and one pence pieces.

By spinning the longer of the two loops I was able to expand the spring enough to get the coins into the spaces between the coils (also with a bit of force using the screwdriver to encourage them in), as I was doing it I was very conscious of the tension in the spring - had resorted to paracord after the plastic-coated garden wire had failed to handle the tension... - but the paracord was brilliant.

I offered the now-extended spring up to the bike which I'd already fitted one spring and the two attachment brackets to, and it went on with only a small amount of pressure pulling the lower spring hook rearwards.

Many thanks again guys, I also managed to fit a pushbike chain protector sleeve (neoprene with velcro attachment) to the horizontal bar and also the rather dapper rugged roads crudcatcher, took the opportunity to liberally coat the underside of the engine, paralever, shock mount etc. whilst it was all stripped down and accessible

Fingers crossed my work will be worth it and I won't see rust for at least another week ...?

Andy

 

[ymfb]

Hurrahhh!

Using a combination of the above techniques, said centrestand is returned to a fully assembled and functioning state

I eventually used two loops of paracord (Royal Blue in colour to match my bike colour ;-) ), the ironwork on my front wall topping (slight angle to give two fixed points with enough room to spin a ...), ... a large flat screwdriver for applying tension and 11p in two pence and one pence pieces.

By spinning the longer of the two loops I was able to expand the spring enough to get the coins into the spaces between the coils (also with a bit of force using the screwdriver to encourage them in), as I was doing it I was very conscious of the tension in the spring - had resorted to paracord after the plastic-coated garden wire had failed to handle the tension... - but the paracord was brilliant.

I offered the now-extended spring up to the bike which I'd already fitted one spring and the two attachment brackets to, and it went on with only a small amount of pressure pulling the lower spring hook rearwards.

Many thanks again guys, I also managed to fit a pushbike chain protector sleeve (neoprene with velcro attachment) to the horizontal bar and also the rather dapper rugged roads crudcatcher, took the opportunity to liberally coat the underside of the engine, paralever, shock mount etc. whilst it was all stripped down and accessible

Fingers crossed my work will be worth it and I won't see rust for at least another week ...?

Andy

What happened to the photos ?

 

[DANE]

Great news - Would you mind slipping the springs off and taking some photos when you put them back on again ?

They do say it's always easier the second time.

 

[Neil W]

In the past with both the r1150gs and the r1200gsa tc and any Japanese bikes I have always fixed the springs to their correct location of the frame and stand , THEN using the stand itself as the lever line up the mounting bolts , usually a 2 minute job without the faff of paracord/ spring pullers or ratchet straps