Reinstalled my rear stand yesterday and used a method suggested a while back - fit the spring to the loose stand/frame and pull the stand back horizontally into position. The spring tension then holds all in place (stand is in the "up" position) until the pivot bolts are fitted.
Worked a treat , and certainly much easier than last time when i stretched the spring onto the already fitted stand.
cheers
iain

I had an idea that I tried that system but couldn't work out how to avoid pulling the whole bike on top of me...

I have a raised platform (home made timber/ply table) with a front wheel clamp on it, and i tied the front wheel to the clamp just in case.

I just can't stand these guys who do official bench makers out of their living by making a bench from off cuts of 4x2 and plywood Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com