|  | Topic : Lifting Bike |  |
| | | stripygitface | | Set |  | | Reg. Date | : | 31/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 132 | | Location | : | Rochester, Kent, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 11:27 Post title : Lifting Bike | | | I do not have any paddock stands etc, but with my old bke I could put a trolley jack underneath the frame and support the bike. However looking underneath my Thunderbird (ABS Model), I can see the ABS pipes, and the exhausts which are the lowest parts. I am worried that simply putting a plank of wood and then lifting with a trolley jack will damage these parts.
Has anyone got suggestions or a method for lifting the bike, which is quite simple but efffective.
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| | | zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 11:54 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: stripygitface) | | | i use a piece of soft wood (pine) about the same dimensions as the underside of the sump, 15mm thick
place it on a jack like the big red one busters sells and lift.
you will find both wheels come off the ground but its not a high lift but enough for checking/polishing wheels, or rempoving a wheel.
best to have someone about though to help keep the bike steady if you are going to shake it much and for initial lift from the side stand and also the release, not essential but just a precaution
ps there is other info if you do a search
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| | | Domino | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 230 | | Location | : | Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 14:39 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: stripygitface) | | | I bought an Americana lift from Busters after being assurerd by my dealer that the exhaust pipes could take the weight of the bike. The conversation went something like...
Me: How do I support the bike to clean or remove the wheels?
Dealer: You get a jack like this (produces a surpisingly small scissor jack) and jack the bike up under the pipes.
Me: Really? 
Dealer: Yes.
Me: (On my knees looking under the pipes hoping to see extra support anchoring them to the sump) Really, really?!? 
Dealer: (Goes into workshop and fetches mechanic)
Mechanic: Yes, that's how we have to do it. I wouldn't store the bike over winter like that - you might get some creep - but working on it, no problem.
btw the T-bird is possibly a little wide for the Americana (see piccies) So I have modified mine for a more secure lift (see lower piccies). I also have to raise the front wheel a couple of inches, by parking it on a wooden block, to be able to get the Americana lift under the bike.
As you can see, it's a little too close for comfort at the front...
The rear is less critical as the CAT provides support across it's whole width...
So... I wouldn't recommend the Americana unless you plan to modify it something like this...
Maybe it wasn't so simple but it is effective and makes life a lot easier. 
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Best money I ever spent.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 15:02 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: stripygitface) | | | Stripy, what happened to your avatar...I liked that. IAC, you are almost there, but, I can't reccomend
lifting across the cat.
Get a piece of 3/4" ply or pine, whatever.
Jacking up a Tbird by the sump only is preferrred, imo. But, please don't blame me for introducting you
to the "other." There are some good pictures there. I have my bike up like this after every ride...it's so easy
to clean.
Link
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------mstang66man sez
After asking my dealer, and the Techs from triumph, I got about the same answer from both,"I don't know". They did say that lifting the bike from under the engine would be the only way to avoid damage to the pipes, the cat, and one of the cooling pipe also in the way.Here's what I came up with and it worked quite well. I have a craftsman motorcycle/atv jack. I measured the base of the engine and came up with the demensions for the lift block. I secured a 14" by 6.5" by 3/4" wood block to the arms of my lift. This size will miss all the vital components under the bike and give you a good solid place to lift. Slide your jack under the bike being sure to clear the clamps on the H pipe and the front edge of the Cat. The top of my jack is 5 1/2 inches from the floor, so as I slide the jack under I have to stand the bike up straight in order to get the lifting platform all the way under. If your lift is lower to the ground you may not have to do this to get it all the way under.Be sure to stop the lifting platform before you get to the other pipe. Slowly lift the bike off the floor and check to make sure you lift is positioned where you want it. One of my photos looks like the lift is hitting the Cat, but it isn't The weight of the bike is being lifted by the base of the motor only.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 15:07 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: Domino) | | | Domino...I can't tell from these picture, I really hope everyone knows to keep the sidestand down
when lifting....It's a sure road to the hurt locker if you forget and set it down on it's side.
The child/dog/cat/paintcan/tool you hurt could be your own.
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| | | daz | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,705 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 15:31 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: DizzE) | | | yeah, i have to agree. 740 Lbs on the cat or pipes just doesn't feel right. If theres one thing i would suggest it would be never assume the dealer's service knows what they are talking about, at least when it comes to things like this that if wrong could have catastrophic results. This is a new day and age and it doesn't work like that anymore. He may well have just tried it and it worked so he assumes it's ok. Then one day a bike falls over and he will no longer recommend it. Hopefully it will happen to him b4 you. I think if you look at the engine mounts you will see there are 4 or 5 that are way way way beefier than anything holding the pipes to the bike. And thats just to hold the engine which is a lot less weight than the entire bike. I just would not take anyone's word thats not at least official from the mother company itself such as if it were in the manual. If that dealer happens to be wrong it could bring a lot of pain to whoever it happens to first.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| | | Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 15:42 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: daz) | | |
I'd say spread the weight over the pipes, sump and everything under there!
What I want to say is - when you lift via the pipes, measure the gap between the sump and jack. Then go get a soft piece of wood that is half a cm thicker than what you just measured - place that on the jack and lift your 'Bird.
Well - that's how I would do it.
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
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more info at Fuelly.com
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| | | ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 15:48 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: stripygitface) | | | As someone else suggested, a 6.5" x 14" piece of 3/4" plywood, on a bike jack, works fine. No damage.
Make sure the wood is behind the clamps up front under the radiator, and is centered on the sump and catalytic converter.
Been doing it for a year... no problems at all.
And, lifting by the cast sump is done through a lot of bike lines.
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| | | Domino | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 230 | | Location | : | Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 18:24 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: DizzE) | | |
DizzE wrote:
Domino...I can't tell from these picture, I really hope everyone knows to keep the sidestand down
when lifting....It's a sure road to the hurt locker if you forget and set it down on it's side.
The child/dog/cat/paintcan/tool you hurt could be your own. |
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Ooh yes - thanks for highlighting that DizzE! And I double-check it's down before touching the jack release valve.
I also have to make sure that lump of wood is correctly positioned under the front wheel, before I lower, other wise I won't be able to remove the jack.
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Best money I ever spent.
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| | | EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 20:09 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: Domino) | | | The kickstand down is a good idea, but I always attach both a left and right strap. There are almost always strap attachment loops on both sides of motorcycle jacks. The loop is visible on the left side of the jack pictured above.
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| | | daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,705 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 20:52 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: EnGage) | | | I'm so paranoid about it i couldn't forget to double check the KS if i wanted to before i even look at the valve.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| | | davetac1 | | Thunderbird | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,379 | | Location | : | Haverhill, Ma., United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 21:38 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: daz) | | | I use a Sears jack which is similar to the jack shown above.But,in order to get that jack under the bike, I have to push the bike up on to two, 3/4 inch thick pine boards,about a foot long and about 8 inches wide,one under each tire, which is actually quite simple to do.Plus I use a piece of 2X4 under the side stand to keep the bike from leaning over too much.I then line the front rail of the jack up with the center of the engine block,the part that protrudes down,with the ends of the jack rail protruding just enough to evenly catch the bottom of both front exhaust pipes.That part of the block is actually pretty even across with the bottom of the pipes.The back rail on the jack fits right under the cat,again,getting it lined up evenly on both sides.I try to get the back rail of the jack limed up under or as close to the support bolts towards the rear of the cat,as I can.That would be its strongest point.Then I slowly jack it up, hanging on to the bars, until the bike leans over to the right and levels itself.Once I know she's stable, I jack it to the height needed and then secure it.I don't need it falling over or off the jack.lol I've done it several times now and without any problems or damage to anything underneath.I too was a little nervous at first about that cat,but that's all in the past now.Works slicker then sh**.lol Like anything else,the first time is always the hardest.After that,it's a piece of cake. Dave!!!
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| | | Domino | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 230 | | Location | : | Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 27 Sep 2010 - 23:22 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: EnGage) | | |
EnGage wrote:
The kickstand down is a good idea, but I always attach both a left and right strap. There are almost always strap attachment loops on both sides of motorcycle jacks. The loop is visible on the left side of the jack pictured above. |
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Ahh - That's what they're for! Thanks EnGage. 
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Best money I ever spent.
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| | | zolti | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 28 Sep 2010 - 12:32 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: Domino) | | |
Domino wrote:
EnGage wrote:
The kickstand down is a good idea, but I always attach both a left and right strap. There are almost always strap attachment loops on both sides of motorcycle jacks. The loop is visible on the left side of the jack pictured above. |
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Ahh - That's what they're for! Thanks EnGage. |
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only good for a topple in one direction 
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| | | EnGage | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Sep 2010 - 13:56 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: zolti) | | | zolti wrote:
Domino wrote:
EnGage wrote:
The kickstand down is a good idea, but I always attach both a left and right strap. There are almost always strap attachment loops on both sides of motorcycle jacks. The loop is visible on the left side of the jack pictured above. |
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Ahh - That's what they're for! Thanks EnGage. |
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only good for a topple in one direction |
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Well, using the loops on both sides would probably be best. I haven't done this with the bird yet since I purchased a wheel spinner, but with my last bike the trick was to not hit the paint with the straps since the loops are close to the body of the bike. If I remember, I just went around lower frame members. You don't need a lot of support, just enough so that it doesn't go over.
| | Post edited by EnGage on 28 Sep 2010 - 17:45 |
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Sep 2010 - 14:46 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: zolti) | | |
zolti wrote:
only good for a topple in one direction |
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Since we are laughing...sober up, for a second.  I almost pulled it over on myself, the other day.
I pulled way too hard, to lever it up on the jack stand, being such an expert .. 
A brutal WTF moment, me hung-up in the stand trying to step back for leverage. And if I wasn't lifting
next to a wall behind, my foot would not have gotten leverage against the bottom of the wall.
I won't speculate what would have happened to me.
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| | | Kando | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 08/11/2009 | | Posts | : | 780 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Sep 2010 - 14:59 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: Domino) | | | was at street vibrations raly in Reno, NV and saw the Bulldog lift and a guy jumping on top of the Harley when it was jacked up, very impressive. when I asked if it would work on a bike with no lower frame he said no, but offered an interesting idea for someone who wanted to customize a lift without a piece of wood. he suggested building a small box of wood witha bottom that would fit under the TBird engine.Then using the spray foam insulation that expands, fill up the box and press up under the engine and after the foam hardens pull it away for a perfect impression of the underside of the TBird. Then with some enginuity fabricate a custom piece to fit on the lift.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Sep 2010 - 16:30 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: Kando) | | |
Kando wrote:
was at street vibrations raly in Reno, NV and saw the Bulldog lift and a guy jumping on top of the Harley when it was jacked up, very impressive. when I asked if it would work on a bike with no lower frame he said no, but offered an interesting idea for someone who wanted to customize a lift without a piece of wood. he suggested building a small box of wood witha bottom that would fit under the TBird engine.Then using the spray foam insulation that expands, fill up the box and press up under the engine and after the foam hardens pull it away for a perfect impression of the underside of the TBird. Then with some enginuity fabricate a custom piece to fit on the lift.
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never work on this bike....the clearance is almost too low for the jack and a board.. In fact, I was thinking I might need a
thinner board and attach a cleat under the board betweeen the jack arms for stiffness. But, with a
visible, minor sag, 3/4" marine ply did the trick. I found a bit more clearance with front wheel straight.
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| | | ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 28 Sep 2010 - 18:16 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: DizzE) | | | I've used this Sears aluminum jack for several years (and several bikes). It's very low profile works for all things in the garage... TB, Valk, riding lawnmower. Watch for sales... they occasionally are 1/2 price.
Link
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| | | EnGage | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Sep 2010 - 13:46 Post title : Re: Lifting Bike (Re: ataDude) | | |
ataDude wrote:
I've used this Sears aluminum jack for several years (and several bikes). It's very low profile works for all things in the garage... TB, Valk, riding lawnmower. Watch for sales... they occasionally are 1/2 price.
Link
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+1 on this lift.
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