Lock malfunction-help!?!?

Ok so my seat lock is not properly working. It latches and unlatches good with the key but every time i put the seat up, i have to keep the key turned and pull the latch mechanism back up. It appears the spring is on the wrong side of the latch. I tried beating the pin out to fix it but its not budging. I can post pics if need be. The bike is a 1981 kz1000 ltd j model