imported post
Yep that spring can be a killer!! Brake pliers work well, and I just use a long screwdriver and put that in the bend of the spring and the end of the screwdriver on the stand and lever it on letting the spring slip down the screwdriver at the same time.
But and I assume you have it off and are putting it back on for a Ride/on stand or something, one thing to make it very easy is while the spring is out where you can get to it, along the bottom side, put in a whole bunch of quarters. Yep regular old quarters. Stretch the spring by having one end of the spring in a vise or hooked over something that will not move and pull.....and insert quarters, do need a bit of help with this as you pull to put in more and the ones you just put in fall out.
But by putting spacers in the coils of the spring, it will hold it open enough to slip it over the pin on the stand, then you can just pull the quarters out.
If you are lucky enough that you have not removed it yet, use the quarters at the full extended angle and when you take the pressure off it the spring will just fall off. , and also very easy to put back on.
But I do just use a 1/4 inch shank long flat blade screwdriver, hook the loop end of the spring on the shank of the screwdriver, hold the flat of the tool under the pin on the stand and just lever it on. Wear gloves in case you slip a time or two, stops getting your hands skinned up.
Kit
