[MNellis]

I used this technique when I removed the stands on my CL350 so I thought I'd post it up here since it worked so well on the 450 stuff too.

I struggled with the center stand and side stand springs. They're sometimes greasy and slippery and difficult to remove. I dug through my age old box of tools that don't get used much anymore and tried using a drum brake spring removal/installation tool and it worked great. The springs popped off even as greasy as they were and, once cleaned, the other end of the tool works great for installing them. No more struggling with pliers or vice grips trying to out muscle them.

Maybe this is nothing new to many, but it worked pretty well for me. They're still cheap to buy at the auto parts store for a couple of dollars. If you haven't used this tool before, post up and either myself or someone else can go into more detail.

 

[Brown Bomber]

Good idea, here's one I haven't tried it myself, but I've read where you can shove pennies in between the coils to spread the spring, then pull them out when the ends are in place.

 

[krukster86]

Interesting. For me, the hard part was putting them back on. Taking them off was a snap

 

[MNellis]

Interesting. For me, the hard part was putting them back on. Taking them off was a snap

The penny method would work well for installation too. Just bend the spring and insert the penny. Do that on both sides of the spring about every 3rd or 4th coil (or whatever it takes), then install the spring and remove the pennies with some pliers.

Using the tool in my example, on the other end of the tool is a a bare shaft with a cutout that allows you to hook the tool onto the stud for the spring. You then put the spring on the tool and rotate the tool so the spring slides down the shaft and onto the stud. It's pretty simple really but I don't have any pictures of that....yet.

 

[drones76]

I tried the penny trick. It was going to need too many pennies and with each one installed it is harder spread the spring to get more in between the coils.
I took an old screwdriver and used the grinder to put a notch in the side of the tip. That allowed me to put the notch under the post on the center stand and by lowering the driver, it stretched the spring enough to slide it down into position. You do have to be careful not to let it slip off the post. It was on in less than a minute.

pic of altered screwdriver:

 

[e3steve]

I looped a 30cm x 4.8mm zip-tie, with it 'zipped'-in a few notches, over the unhooked end of my CB77 springs and just pulled it over the anchor. The tie was trapped under the hook but I just pulled it off the hook end. Piece o' cake! Just held the buckled part of the loop in my hand.

 

[Hippykid]

I love the penny method-unless the spring is painted-Snap-on makes a spring removal tool-

 

[drones76]

I love the penny method-unless the spring is painted-Snap-on makes a spring removal tool-

Usually it is 12:30 at night when I need the tool and I improvise as best as I can. I did start to use the pennies. Like I said too many needed to make it work. And that spring is tight. I bent a few Lincolns taking them out of the spring.

If I have to do it again, I will grind the groove across the blade of the screwdriver to give me a little more real estate to get a grip on the stand knob.

 

[outobie]

I feel like I'm stating the obvious here but in case you guys haven't seen one...

there's a tool made for spring removal and installation called a spring puller. it's just a metal hook with a T handle on it and you can buy them anywhere they sell tools for the price of a screwdriver. If you don't have one I highly recommend

 

[nigelrharris03]

Outobie
Thats similar to mine, a wooden dowel and an old wire coat hanger modified to suit the job.
Every one should have one (if your a pauper like me or is that cheapskate :lol: )