Center stand Springs

[Dale C]

my 2006 ST 1300 has two springs on the center stand. I’m trying to reinstall the springs and having some difficulty. The inner spring went on easily, but the outer spring will not go on for me. Is there a trick that someone knows of to install the outer spring, I simply don’t seem to be able to stretch it far enough to hook it on. I’m using pliers, but there has to be a better way.

 

[Larry Fine]

Welcome to the forum.

One popular method is to insert nickels in the spring.

 

[Bug Dr.]

I've used paracord through the hook of the spring. Leave cord long enough to run over both ends with the back tire and roll bike forward. This will stretch the spring enough you can then move it in place. Can't remember which bike I used this technique but it worked.
Mike

 

[dduelin]

To hook center stand springs I have used a long screwdriver inserted between the handles of large vise grips clamped on the spring so I could pull with both hands. I couldn't grip the vise grips tightly enough with my bare hands. I got this idea from seeing a purpose-made tool in the hands of a motorcycle mechanic. Long piece of hooked steel wire with a T handle to pull on. Another method I've used is to remove the center stand's pivot bolt nut and withdraw the bolt enough to release one side of it from the frame. The stand will hang loose on one side and it was relatively easy to get the springs on. I used a rachet strap pulling at 90 degrees to align the bolt again and thread the nut back on.

 

[Sadlsor]

I've also used Larry Fine's method.
Bend the spring enough to slide a coin in every coil until it behaved like you're the boss.

 

[Igofar]

Take a small screwdriver and poke it between a coil then insert a penny.
Do this several times.
It will lengthen the spring and you can simply hang it on the mount, then pull the coins out one at a time.

 

[Igofar]

There is no mechanical feat so difficult that it cannot be overcome by brute strength and ignorance

 

[ddemair]

There is no mechanical feat so difficult that it cannot be overcome by brute strength and ignorance

Great saying.

 

[Larry Fine]

Take a small screwdriver and poke it between a coil then insert a penny.
Do this several times.
It will lengthen the spring and you can simply hang it on the mount, then pull the coins out one at a time.

And it only costs 1/5 as much as using nickels.

 

[SMSW]

If you are short of change, use washers. In fact, different sized washers have different thicknesses. I used quite a few large (for 1/2" bolts) washers last time I needed to stretch a spring.

I've also used a brake spring tool. Its a funny style pair of pliers that grabs a brake spring, but one of the handles (roughly 3/8" diameter) has a deep groove near the end and this end is flattened somewhat. You put the groove over the post the spring connects to, and hook the spring around the round shaft. As you lever the handle stretching the spring, the hooked end of the spring slides down and over the post. I know this will probably not work on the ST (the spring needs to land on a post, or rod, not in a hole) but it might give you ideas. I remember struggling mightily to hook both ST's springs on my center stand.