| Author |
Message |
    
Buellerxt
| | Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 08:53 pm: | 
|
Very impressive Motorbike. You have certainly put time into that project. Cool. |
Motorbike
| | Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 10:50 pm: |
|
Here are a couple more pics of the setup I use to raise the rear wheel only. Obviously, this would not work if trying to remove the wheel or change the belt etc. The front wheel can also be raised by putting a jack under the front lift point on the muffler while the rear is on jack stands. It is really quite easy to get up on the stands. Just slide the pipe through the axle, place the first stand under the right side, tilt the bike to the right and kick the left stand under the pipe with your foot. A little easier to do with the left bag removed!
|
Calamari_kid
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - 10:44 am: |
|
Slick setup ya got there Motorbike. You've got me putting together a materials list now.  |
Eulysses
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - 02:55 pm: |
|
Motor...I don't think you really ride a bike...just tweak and polish and invent things...in case you do ever go for a ride. Dude...you are embarrassing me! |
Wesman
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - 03:28 pm: |
|
Motorbike- I assume you fabricated those snazzy cradles that fit the bike lift? |
Motorbike
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - 03:53 pm: |
|
Thanks guys. Eulysses, I actually do ride as much as I have time for. My last bike was a 2006 Suzuki M50 (805cc) and I put 14,000 miles on it in 4 seasons of riding recreationally, never rode it to work. I like to keep my job and things I enjoy separate. Yes I do keep things polished, especially my bikes but I enjoy doing it.
Wes, yes I did fabricate the cradles but I started with a template I found here on this great website. I had to modify the design a little though by cutting down the forward end of the cradle so it would slide under the XT while on the sidestand. I figured there was no use making a full cradle because I would have to lift the bike to get it on the jack. Kind of defeats the purpose!
One thing to note is that the bike is anchored to the angle iron attached to the lift pad. Thus the turnbuckles hold the bike solidly no matter what height the jack is positioned.
The cradle blocks are easily removable and are each fastened on by one 5/16" bolt in front and are held steady vertically by a 3/8" ID pipe the fits perfectly into the Craftsman jack lift pad. I removed the stock rubber pads from the steel part of the lift pads but can easily put them back on if I should ever need the jack for a different bike. |
Eulysses
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - 10:33 pm: |
|
First class! |
Scooter1001
| | Posted on Monday, January 04, 2010 - 05:06 pm: |
|
Hey guys. I'm the "new guy" - just got an '09 XT on 12/19/09. It's about time for that first 1000 mile service, so I searched for "lifting Uly" and bada-boom - it's all right here!!! Great site and sounds like a good bunch of folks. I plan to get my cradles squared away in the next few days and take care of the service. I'm sure I'll be back asking for more info. Thanks for the help. |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Monday, January 04, 2010 - 05:21 pm: |
|
Motorbike,
Appreciate the photos and the top notch ingenuity. Simple but effective. Specifically the turnbuckle and ring footpeg hold downs. It'll beat strapping my bike to the garage door overhead rails. I'll do my own variation of course. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Monday, January 04, 2010 - 05:52 pm: |
|
Holy crap, someone used the search rather than just bitching about it! You earned a gold star  |
Hotdog271
| | Posted on Monday, January 04, 2010 - 10:34 pm: |
|
Motorbike,
Can you drain the oil while on the stand without making too much of a mess? How about the Trans fluid. I guess with a little american ingenuity you can make it work.
Cool lift. |
Motorbike
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 - 08:58 am: |
|
Hotdog,
Since the engine oil drain plug is on the left side of the swingarm, I believe the Buell engineers intended for the bike to be on the side stand to completely drain the tank. I think the lift will be OK for draining the trans fluid as they recommend placing the bike vertically for this procedure. I have not tried this yet as I just bought the bike in November and only got to put 340 miles on it before it started snowing. I probably won't be riding anytime soon though as we are expecting 30 below zero wind chill today.
Also, I installed some rubber pads on the cradle blocks to help grip the muffler and prevent scratches. I would not recommend using the rubber pads when the muffler is hot as they obviously would melt. I might just take the rubber pads off as the material I used for the cradle blocks would not scratch the muffler anyway. Thanks. |
Hotdog271
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 - 09:55 am: |
|
Motorbike,
Good point about the oil plug and the bike being on the side stand. I didn't think of that when I asked the question. As for the trans, I guess my main concern is if the fluid will run out all over the jack making a major mess. I guess with some ingenuity and a funnel to catch the oil it is possible.
Also the hot pipe does make this a challenge on the lift.
I have a Harley and two XB's, the biggest thing that irritates me when changing the oil is laying on my back to get the drain plug under the bike, and wedging the drain pan underneath. (Not as much of an issue on the Buells.) Not that this is a problem, but I own an Auto repair shop and have car lifts. Over the years working on cars on the lifts I have become lazy when it comes to working on stuff and having to lie on my back. Lifts will do that to you!
Thanks for the response! |
Motorbike
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 - 10:18 am: |
|
Electraglider, please post some pics of your bike lift when done, if you don't mind. I always like to see what others come up with. Many of you are very creative.
Hotdog, I used to be a full time auto mechanic too. The small independent shop I worked for did not have hoists, just jacks and jackstands. Anything I can do now to make maintenance and repairs easier is a plus for me!. I intend to do everything except warranty work on the XT myself. Thanks. |
7873jake
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 - 11:03 pm: |
|
Motorbike,
Thank you for sharing the lift pictures (both types). Is that pipe tapped with a stop or some sort of limiting pin in your top picture of the rear wheel only lift? I'm trying to figure out what that red/orange vertical pin is on the sprocket side of the jack stand picture.
Thanks again! |
Motorbike
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 - 09:01 am: |
|
Jake,
When I first placed the galvanized pipe into the axle, it slid right through and fell out the left side, due to the lean angle of the bike on the side stand. I simply drilled a hole through the pipe, installed a roll pin and covered it with some red plastic caps for appearance. Now the pipe stays in place while I position the stands. Simple but effective! Thanks. |
Nadz
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 - 05:37 pm: |
|
the fluid will run out all over the jack making a major mess. I guess with some ingenuity and a funnel to catch the oil it is possible.
I use an old frisbee with a half-inch hole drilled near the edge. Keeps both crankcase and tranny oil off the muffler. -Nadz |
Mattmcc00
| | Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 11:33 am: |
|
motorbike how did you make your lifting blocks? they look really good.
I have the same lift and need to make some blocks too.
Thanks,
MMcC |
