T120 Centre Stand

[andyw1260]

Hi
    I have a 68 T120 which I have had a couple of weeks now. I am trying to fit the centre stand (a simple job I thought) I bought a spring for it from TMS, the length of the spring is 4 inch. end to end.    ???Try come what may I cant hook it on. Can a fine citizen tell what the length should be and the best way to fix a spring on the stand.
Cheers thanks for your time

                    Andy W          

[L.A.B.]

You may find it easier to take the stand off the bike, then fit the spring to the stand and the frame, then (still with both ends of the spring connected, lever the stand back into position .


OR

One trick for fitting a centre stand spring is to pack the spring coils with washers.

Hold one end of the spring securely (in a vice), and then bend the spring over, insert washers (or coins?) in the gaps between the spring coils.

With the washers in place, bend the spring over in the opposite direction and insert more washers on the other side of the spring.

This 'lengthens' the spring.

Add enough washers until both ends of the spring can just be hooked on (with the stand in the up position if possible).

With the two ends of the spring hooked on, pull the bike up onto the centre stand, if you are lucky that should stretch the spring even further and all the washers will drop out!

If the washers do not all drop out then you should be able to pull them out with pliers.  

[andyw1260]

Thanks L. A. B I will try both methods, I like the washer idea so simple, I would never have thought of it though.
 Take care L. A. B
                               Andy w

[andyw1260]

Hello  L.A.B.

              Just to let you know the washer idea is brill 6 washers was  all that was required.  The spring has to much tension for the stand to operate easy,  so must have been sent the wrong one, going to North Weald Sun. so will get a slighty longer one.

              Thanks again

              Andy W

[L.A.B.]

I'm glad to hear that the 'washer' dodge worked!

I would be a little surprised if TMS has sold you the wrong spring (although a genuine mistake maybe?) as the same spring would seem to have been used for most pre-OIF T120 models.

The correct Triumph part number I believe should be 82-4671 (original number F-4671).
  

[andyw1260]

Hello L. A. B.

                 I have looked at another bonnie with the same spring (20 coils or 4 inch long)  the difference is on my stand the bracket is a thick wire on top of the stand (with the stand up), the other bonnie (a 66) had a bracket on the stand facing the rear of the bike with it's stand up,  the difference in distance the spring needs to stretch is over half an inch.
Will let you know the outcome next week.

                    Cheers  L.A.B.
              
                 Andy W  

[andyw1260]

Yes were right L.A.B. I was given the correct spring by TMS.  I have now fitted it and all is correct, thanks for your tip about the washers would have been a difficult job without using the washers.
Thanks again Cheers.  AndyW