Help needed - fitting stand!!

[Hammer]

I am trying to fit my stand to a series 3. Rather than fit the stand and then add the spring last I am trying to assemble it with the spring attached and then bolt the whole lot up. Problem is I can't get the bolt right the way through the cross member because the spring is holding it off!! Any help or tips greatly appreciated.

[MK Monty]

Bolt the stand on without the spring then pull the spring on with the stand up. Its a shorter pull than with the bike sitting on the stand, you can do it spring on with the stand up and get the bolts in but you may need three hands.

[Hammer]

Cheers MK, any tips on how to pull the spring? This one (Scootopia) feels very tough. Thanks in advance.

[Phil D]

As MK Monty said but a spring puller tool really helps

You can easily make one alternatively.

[carlos fandango]

or use the penny trick.

bend the spring and force pennies into the coils , cant remember how many you need ? 8 ish ?.... this effectively lengthens the spring and makes it easier to fit on the stand, do it in the up position. when you flip the stand down the pennies should fall out

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

Do it with N/S rear runner off.
Easy then

[rossclark]

I never had any success with the puller or the pennies, only way I got it on was to fit the spring to the stand and the frame then work to get the bolts in.

[HxPaul]

I've always fit them as Chris says.I take the non kickstart side runner board off,then fit the spring on the stand,you will have to lean the stand slightly to the nearside to fit the spring,once its fitted stretch the spring by moving the stand so that it lays on the cross member,but still keep the stand up and fit the bolts through the strengthening peice,cross member and hooks.

[Hammer]

Thanks Ross, I think I might actually get longer 40mm bolts as opposed 30mm just to give me a bit of extra reach to get the nut on the threads so that I can wind it all up.

[Hammer]

Thanks Hx Paul. I'm actually fitting the stand to a newly painted bare frame so no problem with the side runner. I am using your method (with the frame upside down to make it easier) but I just cant get enough of the bolt through the cross member to get a washer and nut on because the spring holds it off.

[johnnyXS]

have you got a G clamp ?
or bolt the stand up with 40mm bolts then fit a couple of adjustable wrenches or mole grips to hold it in place so you can undo and replace the 40mm with 30mm bolts

[HxPaul]

Have you got the spring on the right way around.The spring should fit flat against the cross member.

[johnnyXS]

Have you got the spring on the right way around.The spring should fit flat against the cross member.

he can't come to the keyboard right now ...as he's got his hand jammed in the stand spring

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

There's always a wait at A&E this time of the year.

[MK Monty]

I have a very chunky stainless steel version that I defy anyone to fit. I saw it glinting in the sun in the middle of a flower bed after it bit me and it was thrown as far away as possible.

[Hammer]

Thanks all. Got there in the end, used the pennies trick in the end and bolted all up together!

[derbystu]

This makes me feel a lot better about my own stand/spring issues - I'd put it down to my lack of mechanical skill until I saw this!

Over the last 3 years I've had problems getting the stand right - no matter what I've tried it just doesn't pull up near enough to the floor panels and it's a sod of a job to get the stand up & down. I've tried refitting it, using new longer bolts, new shorter bolts (even had some just snap), and a new spring. Improves for a short while then back to square one again. Watching others put stands up & down with a mere flick really cheers me up - reckon a new stand may be the only answer, but if that doesn't work then stuff it, I'll live with it!

[mcbrid]

You want to try putting the massive spring on an Orbar on!

To make it harder it stretches over the exhaust to a lug welded on the underside of the footboard!