Triumphrat

eurochien · 12-23-2006, 11:42 PM

Hi,
I've just finished installing the Triumph center stand for my T100. It came with two springs, one much easier than the other to put on, which is what I've got the bike set up with now. I'm wondering if both springs need to be on, or just one and if so, which one? I tried to get the smaller (harder) spring in but I would need to do steroids I guess. + The instructions are about as clear as those of a Taiwanese washing machine. I think that for a $200+ accessory Triumph could do a better job of providing user-friendly instructions or pictures. :hammer:
Thanks for enlightening me and happy holidays.

FattRat · 12-24-2006, 12:31 AM

Persistence, patience, and maybe a different technique. You gotta walk away from it, take a breather, go back and look at it, and have another go.

I forget what I did..... I think I may have either grabbed one spring and got it on, than attacked the other. The technique I used this morning (very early) on my FZ1's side-stand (I put a shorter stand on 'cause I lowered my suspension), was to:
*slip the spring's hook over the shaft of a screwdriver,
*wedge the tip of the screwdriver in the crotch of where I want the springs to end up,
*and use leverage on the screwdriver to stretch the spring......
*until it eventually slides off the end of the screwdriver to where you want it.

You can beat it.... doesn't take strength, takes technique...... think Judo.

357Bob · 12-24-2006, 12:43 AM

Plus a pair of safety glasses.

357Bob · 12-24-2006, 12:44 AM

I also think both springs should be put on.
A. Put on 1 spring.
2. Put on the other spring. (Or is that B?)

mase · 12-24-2006, 12:49 AM

It's not that hard to install.
1. insert the small spring into the larger one.
2. attach the same side of both springs to the hook on the stand.
3. this is where I think you might be getting stuck. the pin that you attached to the frame where the other sides of the springs attach, loosen it to where it woobles freely put is still barely attached to the frame of the bike. this will give you about an inch of play.
4. I used a pair of pliers and grabbed the other ends of the springs and give pull it over to the loose pin. once it's hooked on, it won't come off unless you want it to.
5. now just tighten the pin to the frame complately and the spring will stretch in the process and your done!

not difficult, just need a strategy.

good luck! :-D

walt · 12-24-2006, 02:24 AM

It sounds as if the kit all you guys got is different than the kit I used. My kit had the 2 springs that attached to the stand, but the other ends of the 2 springs attached to a "C-bracket", and the other end of the "C-bracket" attached to the pin on the frame.
The "C-bracket" is not supplied to give you something to pull with. It is there to help clear part of the frame because the springs are not in a straight line, I believe, through the entire operation (up and down) of the center stand.
I just used some spare nylon string off my weed wacker to connect it. I threaded a loop of the nylon string through the frame, past the pin on the frame and around and through the front ends of the springs, and back out again the same way. This gave a total of 4 strands to pull with, and left the "C-bracket" without tension.
I wound the nylon strings around a wood file handle to give me something to grab, and just pulled. The springs stretched and because the "C-bracket" was not under tension, it was easy to wiggle it around and just slip it over the pin on the frame. Then I just let go of 2 of the nylon strings and they pulled right out and I was done.
It was actually very easy, but I looked at it for a good half hour before deciding how to stretch the springs without loosing any teeth or eyes.
Which reminds me - wear safety goggles.

ohiorider · 12-24-2006, 04:40 AM

It drove me crazy, too. I think I may (hard to remember) installed the small aluminium block to the frame, tighteded it up, then installed the centerstand, using it as a lever to stretch the springs. I only smashed and blackened one fingernail during the whole installation (so maybe consider someone elses solution).

Bob

PS - doesn't the smaller spring fit inside the larger one?

eurochien · 12-24-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

On 2006-12-24 00:24, walt wrote:
It sounds as if the kit all you guys got is different than the kit I used. My kit had the 2 springs that attached to the stand, but the other ends of the 2 springs attached to a "C-bracket", and the other end of the "C-bracket" attached to the pin on the frame.
The "C-bracket" is not supplied to give you something to pull with. It is there to help clear part of the frame because the springs are not in a straight line, I believe, through the entire operation (up and down) of the center stand.
I just used some spare nylon string off my weed wacker to connect it. I threaded a loop of the nylon string through the frame, past the pin on the frame and around and through the front ends of the springs, and back out again the same way. This gave a total of 4 strands to pull with, and left the "C-bracket" without tension.
I wound the nylon strings around a wood file handle to give me something to grab, and just pulled. The springs stretched and because the "C-bracket" was not under tension, it was easy to wiggle it around and just slip it over the pin on the frame. Then I just let go of 2 of the nylon strings and they pulled right out and I was done.
It was actually very easy, but I looked at it for a good half hour before deciding how to stretch the springs without loosing any teeth or eyes.
Which reminds me - wear safety goggles.

I think we're all talking about the same kit but with different terminology. Sounds like you analyzed the issue well, as for me I just followed the instructions that Triumph provided and I'm left with only the easier spring installed. I guess I have to give it another go, however your description is hard to visualize for me (not your fault) but it gives me an idea to be at least resourceful. I hope other accessories aren't as much of a pain in the *** to install, or my Bonnie will remain stock for a long, long time...

eurochien · 12-24-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

On 2006-12-23 22:31, FattRat wrote:
Persistence, patience, and maybe a different technique. You gotta walk away from it, take a breather, go back and look at it, and have another go.

I forget what I did..... I think I may have either grabbed one spring and got it on, than attacked the other. The technique I used this morning (very early) on my FZ1's side-stand (I put a shorter stand on 'cause I lowered my suspension), was to:
*slip the spring's hook over the shaft of a screwdriver,
*wedge the tip of the screwdriver in the crotch of where I want the springs to end up,
*and use leverage on the screwdriver to stretch the spring......
*until it eventually slides off the end of the screwdriver to where you want it.

You can beat it.... doesn't take strength, takes technique...... think Judo.

Finally I got both springs on. I used a screwdriver with a long shaft to get better leverage, placed in the inside corner of the C bracket and used the frame for leverage, placed the hole over the pin and it went in no problem. It took 5 minutes. Thanks everyone for the tips:

FattRat · 12-24-2006, 12:36 PM

Danm, and I was waiting (when the moment was ripe) for the chance to offer you a hundred bucks for your stand.......

What do they say in Australia?
"Good on you Mate!"
:razz: