What's the secret to hooking the centerstand return spring?

[gobstopper]

If you guys can help me out, I can avoid rupturing my spleen.

I'm trying to install a centerstand, and I'm trying to hook the return spring.

I can't pull it hard enough to get it to hook from the frame to the stand.

Is there a secret I'm missing?  Brute force doesn't seem to cut it, especially because the mounting points are so low to the ground that I have to sit down to see them, and therefore can't push with my legs.  As most of my muscle is in my thighs, what now?

Any ideas?

[TheGoodGuy]

does the center stand have a spring??

i thought the side stand only had one.

[gobstopper]

The centerstand actually has TWO springs that nestle on inside the other.  It should be possible to put one on at a time, but I just can't pull hard enough to stretch them.

Anyone?

[Rema1000]

I thought that someone here (Snowman?) had recommended hooking the stand to the spring, and THEN screwing it to the bike.  Or maybe, the advice was to have the bolts really loose and attach the springs then.  The idea was that the springs are hard to grab with a pliers; but once they are connected to the stand, then the stand gives you something you can really pull on.

[fmikex]

well the clymer book says to take it off you need to put it in the raised position with the bikes rear tire off the ground, so you will need a jackstand or wood blocks under the engine or frame to secure the bike. the use locking pliers to unhook the springs so it seems if you go in reverse it should be the same putting it on. i don't know if you has the centerstand up or down. i would think it would have to be up so the springs are relaxed to get it. if you tried it up then all i can suggest is to try a screwdriver to pry (stretch) the spring and then slid it up the screwdriver and hook it on, you may have to use some pliers to guide it in the hole. but please be careful if the screwdriver slip so will the spring.i know thats comon sense but i would hate for you to try what i suggest and lose an eye so i had to say it. well good luck

[ash999]

I've done this before on another bike. I found that hooking the springs on the centerstand and then pulling the centerstand into position whilst boliting it on, is the best way of doing it, not centerstand on and pulling springs on, as you have more leverage on a whole centerstand to pull it into position. It maybe different on this bike as i have never taken it out on my GS. Hope it helps  

[Hi-T]

I had to modify my center stand after putting on the Vance and Hines exhaust...  Find the angle where the stand and spring ends are closest.  Do one at a time ... I used a heavy duty screw driver and leveraged it in.  You can also try to prestrecth the srping and slide something in a couple of the coils.

[Nick]

Are you using locking pliers (Vise Grips)?  I had to do this exact same thing, and the only way I was able to get the springs on was with those.  I fastened them just below the hook, perpendicular to the spring.  Also, one thing I learned the hard way: fit the springs in one another (as they are concentric) and get everything lined up *before* you start pulling.  You can use the side stand as a model for how things should look.  The way I finally got them on was to seat the ends of the springs on the frame peg, and pull the springs out to the stand peg, inner spring first.   Good luck.  It's a real b*tch, so expect it will take a bunch of tries.

Also, other people suggested screwdrivers, and I thought of that, butI found it too hard to wedge it between the coils.  I just muscled it

[bibik]

gobstopper try this.Take the spring at your hands, bent it a little and have a friend to put coins between. Do the same to the other side.NOw the lenght of spring is increased and you can put it at the bike.When you set the bike at the stand the coins will fail and you dont lose your lovely money.

[D-Day]

I loop a heavy duty wire tie (zip tie) to the spring and then grab it with a vice grip.  Pull the spring back and hook it on.  Cut wire tie off if you cant remove it.  This is easier than even using the proper spring tool.

[gobstopper]

Well, I did get this finished this afternoon.   I finally gave up on just yanking.

Here's the story.

Get bike on paddock stand, Assemble tools, clean up stand and bottom of bike: 15 minutes.

Realize I have no grease, go buy grease a pound of grease, use 2 fingerfulls:  15 minutes.

Try to pull spring into place: 90 minutes.

Hit on the idea of unbolting stand to attach spring first, unbolt stand: 5 minutes.

Try to lever stand into place with spring attached: 55 minutes.

Get it hooked up, and realize "What about the second spring?":  11 seconds.

Put second spring in toolbox, clean up tools:  15 minutes.

Take shower, lay on bed under ceiling fan with muscles quivering like I just fought off the Barbarian Horde:  35 minutes.

Long story short:  It's on with one spring, and it works.  I didn't have the energy to try putting on the second spring.  I'll try it later on.

Thanks for your help, guys.

[Rema1000]

bent it a little and have a friend to put coins between. Do the same to the other side.

Now there's a cool idea I never heard before!  I'm a patient guy,  so if it adds 10 minutes, but is easy, then I'm all for it.

[sdanville]

Good to know it works with one spring.
My experience was better.  Bought bike, it stood crooked. Took off center stand and it was bent.
Bought a very clean straight one for $14 delivered.  mounted..found the shortest distance between the two conections
is when the center stand is up. Bungee can hold it..I held it with one hand while the other on the vice grips that man handled
the heaviest spring in place.  12 minutes for stand installation, 5 min to figure out the shortest stretch distance.
Hopes this helps the next guy.

[pliskin]

1. Buy that PX20 DVD
2. Work out with PX20 DVD for 20min X 5 times a week.
3. Put that spring on with your new found muscles.

You can do it in as little as 20min a day.

Sorry couldn't resist. I know that spring is tough to get back on. Makes me wonder how those Suzuki builders put them on without messing them all up.

[Janx101]

just dont overdo the workouts.... this could happen!! 

[adidasguy]

Wow! 2 threads on center stand springs? Go figure?

Put both springs on. You need them. It will  bounce up & down with only one.

Hook both on the frame.
Use a loop of wire or hook and hook them over the center stand peg one at a time. Do the inner one then the outer one.

Another way is to have the center stand off. Hold in sort of the right position with the springs in place. Pull on the center stand (easy to hold on to it and pull) then shove the bolt in when it is in place.

I've never had problems getting the springs on.
Modify message

[codajastal]

Buy this off ebay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/181310064946?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107

AU $4.00

[BockinBboy]

Last summer my friends and I put together a trampoline... All of us clearly older than we should be jumping on a trampoline... But we put that whole thing together without a single tool, and those springs - by about the tenth one your hands were getting blisters... Got the entire thing together and we check the box for any final missing pieces, and there is that darn spring pulling tool... Never did find out how well it worked...

- Bboy

[CndnMax]

I used a metal coat hanger to pull the springs into place.

[catch2otwo]

buy a spring puller like the one pictured above.  Buy a gym membership.  come revisit the spring 3 weeks later.  Should be much easier. 

I do like the coin idea, try that and report back!