Centre stand spring

[WozzA]

Is there a EASY method to replace the centre stand spring on a plunger?   

[duTch]

 Yep- but I forget the details.....I think is best if the stand is in 'up-ish' position where the spring is shorter, and use a thin piece of flat bar that'll fit between the eye of the spring, and slide it up the bar till 'just right', and use the home-lug as a fulcrum, and stretch the spring with the rest of the bar and slide the eye down the bar to the lug.....I think..... ...it's a while since I discovered that method by accident, and I think the stand was in the 'down' position  , but however it was, it was tooooo easy

[BSA_54A10]

Yes make a spring stretcher.
Easiest one is made from 2 turnbuckles, OR one turnbuckle & a eye bolt.
Bent the eyes over 90 deg then cut a slot in both of them
Slip the spring into the slots so the eyes of the spring are free.
Undo the turn buckle to stretch the spring then slip the eyes over the anchor points.
Easier if one is on an anchor point first

[Greybeard]

I used a large cross-head screwdriver to stretch/slide the spring along and on to the locating peg.

[mikeb]

is the plunger spring that different from the swingarm spring? I know their shape/end is different, but as a spring i've had a fair run from putting the swingarm bike on the centre stand and pushing the spring sideways into an arc to fit washers between many coils. then take the bike off the stand and the spring stays long enough to remove. fit new one by adding springs to the arced spring held in a vice, and fit on side stand (if you have one). would this work on the plungers? i learned this from this forum.

btw the turnbuckle idea sounds better long term - i may make one eventually

[duTch]

 

is the plunger spring that different from the swingarm spring? .......

 Fairly much completely different and attaches in the middle of the cross-brace....I tried the washer method but it went to shit.... that's when I did my above method.... forgot to say 'attach to the top lug first '...
 The spring will probably be  longer when the stand is down, on both mine they are at least, so much easier when stand is up

 (Compare length measurements up/ down)

[WozzA]

10 minutes to fit the stand...    4 hours later the Bloody spring is STILL not fitted.. 

[muskrat]

G'day Woz.
You could try removing the c/stand, attach the spring both ends and use tyre levers to lever it into position. I've done that on a few different bikes but not my plunger.
Cheers

[BSA_54A10]

Well here is another spring stretcher I pinched off the web.
Can't find mine right now so it is probably out on loan to some one

[Greybeard]

I used a large cross-head screwdriver to stretch/slide the spring along and on to the locating peg.

Or was that the side stand?

[duTch]

 

10 minutes to fit the stand...    4 hours later the Bloody spring is STILL not fitted.. 

 What methods have you tried ?

 Edit 1 hour later; I'm fairly sure it only took me about a minute or two with no real fancy tools...I can't accurately replicate the action because the spring has since broke and I've done a bodge fix and it's now a few mm longer....

[Bsareg]

Have you tried using a rachet strap ?

[WozzA]

10 minutes to fit the stand...    4 hours later the Bloody spring is STILL not fitted.. 

 What methods have you tried ?

 Edit 1 hour later; I'm fairly sure it only took me about a minute or two with no real fancy tools...I can't accurately replicate the action because the spring has since broke and I've done a bodge fix and it's now a few mm longer....

I attached it at the top mount hole & used the screw driver to wedge it down over the bottom mount..  No Good...  then I bent the spring over in the vice & inserted washers on both sides.. ( it looks like a Christmas tree )  & tried wedging it again.. it's still not long enough.. This spring from Brett is 150mm long & for the life of me it wont stretch to approx 170mm..   it's one tough spring.. 
I'll try Muskys method of attaching it first then wedging the stand tomorrow...
Failing that it will be a spring expander like  Trevor's

[Bsareg]

Here's my version of a spring expander I made to fit the rear stand spring on the m21. Alongside is my fork stanchion tool. Both were knocked up quickly using stainless.

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
I have fitted quite a few centre stand springs by, hooking the spring on the frame end and tying some strong wire to the other end  Then tie the wire securely to the rear wheel, so turning the wheel stretches the spring
Then swing the stand up to engage the peg to the spring

John