What is the safest and best way to lift your bike?

[Waihou Thumper]

I am talking about in the garage. I only ask because this happened...
I have a DRC stand and the bike is now too low for it, it winds down and it is still too high. The KTM was good, just put it under and lift.
The DR is a different story, the ground clearance isnt there.
I went to Mitre10 and bought a trolley Jack. The idea was to jack it up enough to put the DRC stand under it and away I went...
Trouble is, the foot of the jack was so small it was very unstable, and I mean really unstable.....
Trying to jack and hold bike at the same time caused a bit of a calamity..:Oops:
Suffice to say, I now have some new handlebars on order....
Went for a ride this morning and wondered why my mirror was so high and I sort of had a Hunch Back of Notre Dame look about my posture....:argh: Oh, farrk! They are bent......
So, returned the Jack, got a refund, now I am back to square one.
All I want to do it lift the bike to remove the rear wheel or the front safely and have it stable enough so when I am cleaning it, the thing doesn't pin me to the garage floor....;)

What do you guys recommend without getting a Hydraulic Hoist.....:)

[Ixion]

I use a lifting strop from the garage rafters and hoist it up .

[Waihou Thumper]

Bit worried about the weight. I guess 180Kg shouldn't be an issue. How do you hoist it? I have done this fancy ropes rescue course and thought of rigging a nice set of pulleys, that would work...:)

By the time I buy the rigging, I may as well get a nice big 3 tonne trolley jack with a huge footprint to put under the engine.

[Ixion]

I use a truck ratchet tiedown thing. Like the tiedowns y'use for bike trailers , but bigger. Cost , can't remember, but not much, $50 maybe. Holds about 3 tonne I think .

Weight- well, with one wheel still on the ground, you're only supporting half the weight, so about 90KG. I weigh more than that.

[bart]

Get one of these bike lifter things. Best $200 I ever spent. Can lift to any height, so just roll the wheels on and off the bike.

www.topmaq.co.nz

:niceone:

[bart]

Looks like they have 2 models. $183.71 and $199. I added a piece of plywood through the centre to give a larger base for the bike to sit on.

Also added a bungy cord to stop the locking machanism engaging all the time.


http://www.topmaq.co.nz/product_detail.aspx?id=AUHO2010

http://www.topmaq.co.nz/product_detail.aspx?id=AUHO2000

[clint640]

You could just make a couple of little ramp/platforms out of timber to roll the bike on to so the DRC stand fits underneath. :niceone:

I quite like the look of those work stand size sissor lift platforms, they drop down quite low. For now I just lift the bike onto a couple of big wooden blocks.

Cheers
Clint

[Waihou Thumper]

Looks like they have 2 models. $183.71 and $199. I added a piece of plywood through the centre to give a larger base for the bike to sit on.

Also added a bungy cord to stop the locking machanism engaging all the time.


http://www.topmaq.co.nz/product_detail.aspx?id=AUHO2010

http://www.topmaq.co.nz/product_detail.aspx?id=AUHO2000

Yeah, this might be good...Bit of a cost but secure enough.

[Waihou Thumper]

You could just make a couple of little ramp/platforms out of timber to roll the bike on to so the DRC stand fits underneath. :niceone:

I quite like the look of those work stand size sissor lift platforms, they drop down quite low. For now I just lift the bike onto a couple of big wooden blocks.

Cheers
Clint

I could imagine the ramps going adrift or the stand tipping or sliding around..
Possibly?

[Crisis management]

100x50 (cut to the right length naturally) stuffed under the footpeg on the opposite side to the side stand, I've used this when removing wheels, motors and even air filters.........










It's a DR Mark, you're back in the stone age now!

[Ixion]

Eh, wait, what? A DR? In that case, just lie it on its side.

[Waihou Thumper]

Eh, wait, what? A DR? In that case, just lie it on its side.

Already did it that....The Dr Pig....(I mean Big...)
left a hole in my concrete...:nono:

[JATZ]

Already did it that....The Dr Pig....(I mean Big...)
left a hole in my concrete...:nono:

They don't make em like that anymore aye :niceone: Stronger than concrete :headbang:

I use a trolley jack under the foot peg, opposite the stand, if I need to get the front wheel off the ground I just stick it under the bashplate.
Mind you safety comes second :devil2: and I got the scars to prove it

[Motu]

I sometimes use a couple of axle stands - with the bike on the side stand fit the stand under one footpeg or frame rail,then lift the otherside and pop the other stand under with your foot.That lifts the rear wheel and is pretty stable - to remove the front wheel I use a small floor jack under the front of the engine/frame.

[Waihou Thumper]

I sometimes use a couple of axle stands - with the bike on the side stand fit the stand under one footpeg or frame rail,then lift the otherside and pop the other stand under with your foot.That lifts the rear wheel and is pretty stable - to remove the front wheel I use a small floor jack under the front of the engine/frame.

A good tip, thanks...:niceone:

[Waihou Thumper]

They don't make em like that anymore aye :niceone: Stronger than concrete :headbang:

I use a trolley jack under the foot peg, opposite the stand, if I need to get the front wheel off the ground I just stick it under the bashplate.
Mind you safety comes second :devil2: and I got the scars to prove it

I need to be an Octopus....:niceone:
Hence my automatic bar rise on the right! As a result...It's like riding with a permanent left hand turn, I wanna lean....:)

[dino3310]

oh boy o boy o boy :clap:. i never had a problem getting it up :lol: .
the way i used to are :
A.... home made adjustable stand for righthand side, sweet for tyre change etc.
B....put something in front of front tyre to stop it rolling, at rear lift from rack like a standing bench press(from directly behind), lift to desired height and move side ways(1 step normally) to safe stand or in my case big arse block of wood, caution front wheel must not be allowed to move or kathump:(

[Waihou Thumper]

oh boy o boy o boy :clap:. i never had a problem getting it up :lol: .
the way i used to are :
A.... home made adjustable stand for righthand side, sweet for tyre change etc.
B....put something in front of front tyre to stop it rolling, at rear lift from rack like a standing bench press(from directly behind), lift to desired height and move side ways(1 step normally) to safe stand or in my case big arse block of wood, caution front wheel must not be allowed to move or kathump:(

Viagra for a DR....Might be some sponsorship there...:niceone:
Thanks for the tip...

[Subike]

I just use a cheap($15) wire ratchet winch from bunnings
hooked it with a short length of chain over the 100yr old 6x1 garage rafter and proceeded to lift my XS1100 completly of the ground and then roll my portable work bench under it , so that I could strip it.
Now an XS1100 is a very heavy bike, but it was no problem to the on edge 6x1. After doing the work, I again hoisted it with the wire winch back to the floor.
For $15, I think I got a good usable tool, as it is also small. and very handy, when stuck in the mud with my ute, as I found out recently a tow rope, the winch and a tree I was on my way.
So its strong enough.

[dino3310]

some of the shop stands fit but i cant remember which ones:rolleyes:

[warewolf]

I have a DRC stand and the bike is now too low for it, it winds down and it is still too high. The KTM was good, just put it under and lift.
The DR is a different story, the ground clearance isnt there.Delete delete delete...:doh: what Clint said!!

180kg?? My DRC HC2 lift stand is only rated to 150kg anyway...

Like Motu I've used chassis stands on the DR-Z250. Easy enough to push the bike onto the sidestand & one wheel to slip one under the RHS footpeg - lifts one wheel. Repeat on LHS (carefully!) to lift the other wheel.

[Waihou Thumper]

180kg?? My DRC HC2 lift stand is only rated to 150kg anyway.

More or less, yeah...
I will buy some axle stands, try that, or even just a big block of wood as Crisis says....
:) There is only so much punishment my garage floor can take and my stress levels as well, come to think of it! :no:

[dino3310]

have seen a center stand for the BIG, but was on one of the german sites. would be handy.

[Woodman]

I got a whole bunch of flat offcuts of wood,so I just put one under the sidestand and hoist the bike over so the rear wheel comes off the ground then put a couple of bits of the wood under the back wheel, then lower the wheel onto them then put a bit of wood under the sidestand then repeat the back wheel scenario until the bike is high enough to slide a stand thingy underneath the chassis. Works a treat.

[JATZ]

have seen a center stand for the BIG, but was on one of the german sites. would be handy.

This one perhaps ? :sherlock:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362489&page=186&highlight=center+stand

Post #2783 and below

[nooles]

More or less, yeah...
I will buy some axle stands, try that, or even just a big block of wood as Crisis says....
:) There is only so much punishment my garage floor can take and my stress levels as well, come to think of it! :no:

Stress!! there's no stress when you own a BIG:laugh:
180kg shit the tank must be empty and run her out of oil thats light:no:
You'll get used to the special techniques of lifting her up off the ground:eek:

[Waihou Thumper]

This one perhaps ? :sherlock:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362489&page=186&highlight=center+stand

Post #2783 and below

Good stuff.....:)

[bart]

Really, for $200 one of those proper bike lift things is cheap. The damage you could do to your bike (or your back), makes it a good investment. The bike can also be wheeled around the shed while sitting on it. It has a lock thing, so the jack part won't go down. Rated to 500kg, so it should almost be strong enough to lift a big. :bleh:

I wouldn't be without it.

[Waihou Thumper]

Stress!! there's no stress when you own a BIG:laugh:
180kg shit the tank must be empty and run her out of oil thats light:no:
You'll get used to the special techniques of lifting her up off the ground:eek:

I got round the other side so fast, it was a blur...
I almost threw it over on the other side, the adrenalin was pumping...:angry2:

[Waihou Thumper]

Rated to 500kg, so it should almost be strong enough to lift a big. :bleh:

I wouldn't be without it.


BUT, I will make sure it empty of fuel before doing so....it all helps aye...:done:

[cooneyr]

A chopping block (length of tree trunk) is all I use but bro has one of those sissor lifts (same as Barts) and it works really well. Can wheel the bike around when it is lifted off the ground and nice and stable. Can lift the Super Tenere with it so the big should be no worries!

I've got lazy lately cause Griffon has a centre stand and I use a strop from the handle bars to the roof for front wheel removal.

Cheers R

[clint640]

More or less, yeah...
I will buy some axle stands, try that, or even just a big block of wood as Crisis says....
:) There is only so much punishment my garage floor can take and my stress levels as well, come to think of it! :no:

I saw a cool home made stand on ADV a while back, it was 2 axle stands attached side by side to a flat base, with a platform on top & a bottle jack in between. The release levers on the stands were welded to a bar going across so trhey could both be let down from either side. By the time you buy the axle stands & a jack etc you might as well just get the $200 job as above though...

Clint

[Waihou Thumper]

You are right.
I was looking at the bike this morning. I think it might work if I take the bash plate off. That will give me a little more height.

[alane]

The best idea I,ve seen---was in my KLR650 "TENGAI" manual. :2thumbsup
Join two scissor lift car jacks (Heaps around) together by the worm threaded shaft,so they work in tandem.The joint may need to be a bit flexible,---i.e. clamp some hose on.:clap:
Then extend the base & top with some sort of platforms secured to the jacks.WOOD---easy to add to ,or alter (old cupboard doors come to mind).
STEEL SHEET ---light & permanent.
Have never got round to makeing one---it,s on my "must do" list.:doh:

Another lift/tiedown,is a permanent wire strainer,can be bought for abought $3 @ a hardware store.:niceone:
I have used ordinary wire strainers to lift bikes & engines out of cars etc.:weird:

[richyrich]

Really, for $200 one of those proper bike lift things is cheap. The damage you could do to your bike (or your back), makes it a good investment. The bike can also be wheeled around the shed while sitting on it. It has a lock thing, so the jack part won't go down. Rated to 500kg, so it should almost be strong enough to lift a big. :bleh:

I wouldn't be without it.

what bart said +1

[warewolf]

That's a pretty sharp price, I thought they were more like $600... or have they come down since they were released? :lol:

[Woodman]

That's a pretty sharp price, I thought they were more like $600... or have they come down since they were released? :lol:

$200 is about right now.

[Waihou Thumper]

Powerbuilt have brought these back in.
I bought one from the guys in Morrinsville, it arrived from Christchurch. The price was $224, which was after a 10% loyalty discount thing. It works well and lifts cleanly. :niceone:

It is pretty heavy but has the nice wheels and castors on it to manoeuver around the garage should I want to take the DR for a walk....:)

[El scooto]

Powerbuilt have brought these back in.
I bought one from the guys in Morrinsville, it arrived from Christchurch. The price was $224, which was after a 10% loyalty discount thing. It works well and lifts cleanly. :niceone:

It is pretty heavy but has the nice wheels and castors on it to manoeuver around the garage should I want to take the DR for a walk....:)

I got one of these type ones from topmaq, for lifting the big S10 it does the trick nicely. Pretty much the only style of lift (apart from the table type jobs) that is rated high enough to lift the S10 fat ass off the ground (236kg). Castors on it are very handy too.

Cheers

[K9OFSTRIKEX]

Powerbuilt have brought these back in.
I bought one from the guys in Morrinsville, it arrived from Christchurch. The price was $224, which was after a 10% loyalty discount thing. It works well and lifts cleanly. :niceone:

It is pretty heavy but has the nice wheels and castors on it to manoeuver around the garage should I want to take the DR for a walk....:)

Good call on that style lift, I was with bart all the way. Up until I had a bike with a center stand I always had one of those in the garage and you would be surprised how helpful the ability to take your bike for a walk can be. Had a BMW rear wheel fail on me once (terrifying) and was able to lift the rear of the bike with one of these jacks and with the help of a mate and a few random skater kids was able to walk her all the way home for surgery!

[Woodman]

Powerbuilt have brought these back in.
I bought one from the guys in Morrinsville, it arrived from Christchurch. The price was $224, which was after a 10% loyalty discount thing. It works well and lifts cleanly. :niceone:

It is pretty heavy but has the nice wheels and castors on it to manoeuver around the garage should I want to take the DR for a walk....:)

I have it on good authority that they have the same Powerbuilt ones at Repco for $199.

[warewolf]

Aaah, right, I see we are not talking about the same thing. These $200 jobbies only lift to 400-ish mm - not working height.

What I thought bart was using was the motorcycle stands that rise to more like 1.2m(?) with the bike clamped to it by hooks in to the footpegs.

Here's one from motomail, but this isn't the one I was thinking of, not as capable:
http://motomail.co.nz/Users/motomail.co.nz/Images/1831_150_150.jpg (http://motomail.co.nz/eStore/Style/TOMOCYCLELIFT.aspx)

(http://motomail.co.nz/eStore/Style/TOMOCYCLELIFT.aspx)

[Waihou Thumper]

I have it on good authority that they have the same Powerbuilt ones at Repco for $199.

absolutely no need to mention that at all....:argh:
Carry on, as you were.....
Done and dusted as they say, right...;)