Author Topic: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?  (Read 11726 times)

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PATRICKW

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HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« on: February 21, 2007, 01:16:41 PM »
HOW CAN YOU STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING FAR ENOUGH TO CONNECT AT BOTH ENDS. I'M TRYING TO PUT MY CENTER STAND ON A 75 550.  DO I NEED A TOOL TO STRETCH THE SPRING.  ITS IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED
PW

Offline ProTeal55

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2007, 01:24:35 PM »
What's with the yelling ?
(ALL CAPS USUALLY MEAN U ARE YELLING !)
 ;D
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2007, 01:27:19 PM »
Maybe he is use to working on 3270 terminals. ;)

To the original question. I'm sure others may suggest a better way, but I used the biggest screwdriver I had and levered the sucker on.
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

PATRICKW

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2007, 01:27:57 PM »
No yelling, guess i just dont have the right tool to do the job.

Offline clarkjh

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2007, 01:29:33 PM »
I might be deaf but I can still read 8)

Try shimming the spring with washers to help lengthen it out.  Problem is it's allot easier to stretch it out while on the bike then after. :-\

James
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supersport_CB400F

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2007, 01:32:30 PM »
I might be deaf but I can still read 8)

Try shimming the spring with washers to help lengthen it out.  Problem is it's allot easier to stretch it out while on the bike then after. :-\

James

Connect the spring to the main stand and then whatever the other end of the spring attaches with and use the stand as a lever and move it into position and pop the pivot tube through the loops on the frame if the stand is already attached to the frame take it off so you have just the stand and spring in one hand.

Cheers

Offline Jim F

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2007, 01:34:24 PM »
you can try to heat just one end or a couple of coils but no more as that will take the spring out of your spring

Jim
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Offline RRRToolSolutions

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2007, 01:36:24 PM »
I use a brake tool from Autozone for my spring installations. It has a screwdriver handle and a recessed ball on one end made just for slipping the springs on drum brakes of your old Ford and Chevys. I think $3~4 and I've had it for years. I've never had a problem putting one on with it.
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johnny-from-bel

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2007, 01:37:02 PM »
You need a tool for that. http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8659&frostProductName=Brake%20Spring%20Pliers&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&frostubCatID=
Its called brake spring pliers but works just as well on your centerstand spring. Buy solid ones. Or make them youself.

I see someone beat me to it. The picture will show the tool

PATRICKW

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2007, 02:02:02 PM »
I'll try the brake tool.  thanks for the reply's

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2007, 02:07:01 PM »
Beats the screwdriver I'm sure. I will have to pick one up myself.
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

Offline jtb

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2007, 02:29:19 PM »
I'm going to try never to take it off again ;D ;D ;D
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Offline grumburg

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2007, 03:17:36 PM »
I have found it is much easier to install when it is up.
Fonda Honda

Offline jrrobertsjr

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2007, 03:20:10 PM »
I looped some heavy gauge wire around my vice on the front and another loop on the back. Then I hooked the spring to each of the loops and opened the vice to pull the spring apart.

I put nickels where i could between the coils. Then pennies. Then dimes. On the top side and bottom to keep the spring straight.

Closed the vice. Put the spring on and pulled the coins out with some needle nose pliers.

Worked great. No special tools.

Offline grumburg

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2007, 03:22:55 PM »
I looped some heavy gauge wire around my vice on the front and another loop on the back. Then I hooked the spring to each of the loops and opened the vice to pull the spring apart.

I put nickels where i could between the coils. Then pennies. Then dimes. On the top side and bottom to keep the spring straight.

Closed the vice. Put the spring on and pulled the coins out with some needle nose pliers.

Worked great. No special tools.
TForgot about that one. Was posted a long time ago. Works good!
Fonda Honda

Cattledog

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2007, 03:27:34 PM »
wire up a piece of bailing wire real tight to one end.  Make this wire about 2 feet long, wrap the other end tightly around a broom handle, then pull it will one end of the spring is installed in the bike.  Have a helper with needlenose pliers guide the end you want installed into the associate hole and viola, it is installed and still at its strongest.

Heating it will soften the temper and it will stretch out on you and not hold the stand up.

The pennies thing will work too.  Just don't get your fingers pinched if a penny slips out.

Offline 736cc

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #16 on: February 21, 2007, 05:18:04 PM »
SHOW THAT STUPID SPRING WHO'S THE BOSS! Use a big-ass screwdriver, loop the spring on the frame tang, stick the blade of screwdriver in centerstand tang while catching spring end on screwdriver shaft, lift the screwdriver while spring stretches and starts to slide into position, persuade the last little bit w/ a hammer. BOING!  Its on.

Offline pae

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2007, 11:29:12 AM »
I might be deaf but I can still read 8)

Try shimming the spring with washers to help lengthen it out.  Problem is it's allot easier to stretch it out while on the bike then after. :-\

James

Connect the spring to the main stand and then whatever the other end of the spring attaches with and use the stand as a lever and move it into position and pop the pivot tube through the loops on the frame if the stand is already attached to the frame take it off so you have just the stand and spring in one hand.

Cheers


Yep, this does it easily without tools. Take stand off, connect both ends of spring, refit pivot bolt.

regards, Phil
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supersport_CB400F

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2007, 11:48:08 AM »
I might be deaf but I can still read 8)

Try shimming the spring with washers to help lengthen it out.  Problem is it's allot easier to stretch it out while on the bike then after. :-\

James

Connect the spring to the main stand and then whatever the other end of the spring attaches with and use the stand as a lever and move it into position and pop the pivot tube through the loops on the frame if the stand is already attached to the frame take it off so you have just the stand and spring in one hand.

Cheers


Yep, this does it easily without tools. Take stand off, connect both ends of spring, refit pivot bolt.

regards, Phil





I’m glad I’m not the only person with a brain! ;D

Cheers

Offline mcpuffett

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2007, 12:58:57 PM »
I'm with biffta and phil , easiest way to do it  ;),    mick.
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Offline edbikerii

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #20 on: April 25, 2007, 03:16:03 PM »
I might be deaf but I can still read 8)

Try shimming the spring with washers to help lengthen it out.  Problem is it's allot easier to stretch it out while on the bike then after. :-\

James

Connect the spring to the main stand and then whatever the other end of the spring attaches with and use the stand as a lever and move it into position and pop the pivot tube through the loops on the frame if the stand is already attached to the frame take it off so you have just the stand and spring in one hand.

Cheers


Holy cow that was so simple and easy!  I can't believe that I didn't think of it myself.  The hardest part was lining up the pivot bar with the hole in the frame while tapping it in.  I'm really glad I stumbled on this post a few weeks ago. 
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Offline ic455

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #21 on: April 25, 2007, 09:46:03 PM »
SHOW THAT STUPID SPRING WHO'S THE BOSS! Use a big-ass screwdriver, loop the spring on the frame tang, stick the blade of screwdriver in centerstand tang while catching spring end on screwdriver shaft, lift the screwdriver while spring stretches and starts to slide into position, persuade the last little bit w/ a hammer. BOING!  Its on.

that's how I installed mine, was on in under 10 seconds.

Offline bharvey60

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #22 on: January 10, 2012, 08:22:17 PM »
Vise stretch and penny spacers worked like a charm.
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Offline rbmgf7

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #23 on: January 10, 2012, 08:53:46 PM »


I've alway had luck with the screwdriver method. Slip the spring onto a skinny flathead screwdriver, plant the tip of the driver on the tang, and lift.

Offline crazypj

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Re: HOW TO STRETCH THE CENTERSTAND SPRING?
« Reply #24 on: January 10, 2012, 09:18:40 PM »
I have a couple of tools for it.
 Simplest one is a piece of 5/16"~3/8" bar with one end machined to 'catch' on hook, pin, etc
 It's pretty much an end mill run into bar to make a 'C' shape about 1/4" deep.
 Slide it into spring loop and lever into position (like using a screwdriver but easier and safer)
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