Center Stand spring trick that WORKS!!

[Bombman]

The dilemma I had was accidentally half removed my center stand when I was putting on my new ACD skid plate. I was trying to push the bolt out with the new bolt for the ACD. The bolt popped out but the new one going in didn't make it. The spring tension pulled the stand forward and out of alignment and I couldn't get it back in place. SO I pulled off the springs and got the stand back on and installed the skid plate no issues. The big issue was getting the springs back on.
The trick I have was actually something my dear old dad suggested. Apparently this is an old school way of getting the center stand springs into place. He said to use a bootlace. I am in the US Army and used what I had handy. I took a piece of 550 parachute chord about 5 feet in length. I tied one end to one of the bottom holes in the brake rotor. I ran the string up to and looped through the smaller spring bottom hook and then ran it under the wheel spacer between the swingarm and the brake bracket. I stood beside the bike at the back and pulled straight up which pulled the spring onto the steel peg. It didn't pop into the slot which was a good thing. I left it close to the swingarm leg. I pulled off the string and did the same with the large spring which I popped it into the slot. I then slid the smaller spring into the slot to the left of the large spring hook and I was all set. Total time once I figured out how to run the string- 5 minutes! Hope this helps someone out in the future.

 

[avc8130]

Great tip on the string. I've used string to put exhaust springs on before. It is amazing how much easier it makes it.

ac

 

[Motowalt]

Penny Method Center Stand spring trick

I've used the penny method and it works well if you don't have access to a spring tool.

Put the spring in a vice and flex it side to side to insert pennies in between several coils of the spring
until it expands to the length needed to reinstall it.

When the center or side stand is extended the pennies will fall out.

I haven't tried it for spring removal, but it should work in reverse just as well...

 

[Koinz]

I've never seen either of these methods. Great Tips. Thanks for Sharing. ::012::

 

[avc8130]

WOW! That penny method is GREAT!

ac

 

[viewdvb]

WOW! That penny method is GREAT!

ac

It's better than great - it's sheer genius!!!! I can remember more than a few instances when that would have sorted a problem perfectly.

 

[terrysig]

Penny trick is great. I've struggled with the spring tool (and it slipped) far too many times. Can't wait to try this.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Thought I'd mention the use of a Phillips screw driver as a spring lever. Works very much like a proper spring tool.
LOL, used a shoe string to hold up my side stand once while I rode back to the dirt berm that took the spring off.

 

[HHH]

Thought I'd mention the use of a Phillips screw driver as a spring lever. Works very much like a proper spring tool.
LOL, used a shoe string to hold up my side stand once while I rode back to the dirt berm that took the spring off.

+1 on the screwdriver, learned as a kid from my father and used the technique so many times replacing springs on heavy duty trucks brake shoes.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I've always used larger washers instead of pennies, but pennies are probably cheaper.

It does work in reverse. Find where the spring is at it's most stretched point. Keep the centerstand (or whatever) at that point and stick in your washers/pennies. I like to wrap a little tape around it when done just to make sure the washers don't pop out. Move the centerstand to the least stretched place and the spring will fall off in your hand.

 

[Tyke]

I've used the coin method on a number of occasions over the years...it works fine ::012::