Wanted to put a new chrome kickstand spring on my 09' FLSTF.

Watched the YOUTUBE videos and saw how easy it was. Remove a bolt, let the stand slide forward relieving the spring pressure and install the new spring, reverse procedure. Easy enough.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh Nooooooooooooooo. Mine doesn't have a bolt. Mine has a 5/16" pin and a retaining clip and 2 bushings, one upper and one lower. That thing kicked my ***. There is no way possible to simply remove the spring and re-install, the spring is way too stiff.

I would honestly rather replace my crankshaft than go through that again. If I ever have to do it again, is there an easy way of doing it?

 

It's amazing how a little task can eat your lunch sometimes. You would rather replace the crank huh?

 

Had to replace one on my 89 that broke, used a brake spoon with the stand up, was easier than I expected, but still a PITA.

 

they make pliers for that.

 

Don't know what the newer kickstands look like but the older softtail & FL series I just take the locking cam off the top and push the stand forward till the mount tabs are closer together, otherwise that spring can whip your *** when new.

 

Ever done a brake job on older drum brake cars and truck.

 

One thing that helped on brit bikes from the 60's and 70's was to insert a coin or thicker spacer in between each coil of the spring so the whole thing is temporarily stretched longer. No idea if there is clearance to do this on your bike, but certainly worth a try at no cost...... Hopefully it's going to be a long time before you ever have to try it again.

 

I actually tried that using washers. I couldn't get the spring to uncoil far enough to insert the washers.

And yes I have replaced many drum brakes over the years, I'm approaching 60, so yea, been there done that.