How to attach center stand spring

[bergson]

A no-sweat method of dealing with a minor, if pesky, problem.

Tools and material:
1. Stout broom (or other long tool) handle
2. 5-7" of stiff wire (e.g., cut from wire hanger) formed into rough circle by twisting free ends together)
3. Pliers/wire cutter for #2
4. Hammer
5. #50 Torx bit and driver
6. Wrench for nut for 10 mm bolts (which hold stand to bike)

Method:
1. Attach stand to bike, but do not tighten nuts maximally
2. Put bike up on the stand in stable place where you will have room to work
3. Attach either end of spring to bike so that free end (or opening) of spring is pointing foreward
4. From the right side of the bike, place one end of the tool handle a little behind and just to the left of the left side of the center stand; then lay handle down
5. Walk around to left side of bike and slip the circle of wire over the left end of the handle; attach wire to both springs; go back to right side of bike
6. Pick up right side of handle and find a place to plant the left side of the pole that brings the springs close to the hook on the stand and still offers mechanical advantage for the lever you have just built--remember, the closer the wire is to the left end of the handle, the greater the mechanical advantage
7. With the hammer close to hand, apply downward pressure on the right side of the handle, manipulating it so that opening of spring is in place beneath the hook--this may require a few taps of the hammer on the right end of the handle
8. Release pressure so that spring is now attached to hook; remove wire
9. Tighten nuts

[de100kb]

Thanks for sharing Bergson, and glad you were able to solve your problem.

If anyone is going to attempt to replicate this, please make pictures and post them here!

[Rob]

Pics please :D

[bergson]

Sorry guys, but I don't have a digital camera yet. When I get one, I'll submit the pix.
Cheers.

[ezee rider]

Wish I had thought of that. Fought mine for at least 15 minutes but your way sounds much easier. Better have stout wire and broom handle cause that spring has some good tension. Nothing like a garage door but no wimp either. lol

[avboden]

Its actually quite easy with a flat head screwdriver. Attach one end of the spring, put the other midway on the screwdriver. Place the flat tip of the screwdriver where the other end of the spring hooks. Use the screwdriver like a lever and the spring will slide down and hook into place.

[FLASHTOURS]

OK, but how about getting the springs OFF????

[redhededgreg]

I just got one of the new item center stands from F800depot. I'm very happy with it and my installation technique was different. Grabbed available household members: wife, me and son who is bigger and stronger than me.
1. I attached both ends of the spring hooks, one to stand and one to bike attachment point and let the stand hang below the bike.
2. Wife holds bike steady with front brake.
3. Son and I sitting on groung on opposite sides of bike are able to pull stand into alignment with bolt holes and push bolts through on each side more or less simultaneously.
4. Apply loctite and tighten nuts.

Footnote on the SW Motech stand sold through F800Depot: their install instructions show left side bolt going inside>outside (nut on outside of bike). Inside clearance would not allow bolt to be inserted that direction. Also, recommended tightening torque did not result in stand retracting freely-I used lower torque. Finally, on my ST, the center exhaust bracket bolt was almost exactly vertical on the back side of the exhaust manifold. It extended down so far that it prevented the stand from fully retracting. I loosened and rotated the bracket to get the bolt out of the way. It's a great stand!

[Dunny]

OK, but how about getting the springs OFF????

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/558395_lg.jpg

[steve n rose]

Ah, the good ol' Universal Key.

[Larry754]

I remember reading on the f650.com website "Chaingang" a couple of years ago the infamous Flash suggested putting pennies (lots of pennies) between the coils of the centerstand spring to stretch it. This method could be used to attach or remove the spring. While I have not actually tried this method, it makes sense and I'm sure it will work. After the spring is attached, pull the pennies out with a pair of pliers.