Triumphrat

Baltobonneville

I put my Bonneville on the lift today, about a foot up, to install new fork springs, gaiters, change the fork oil. That all went well, but a word of warning:

When up on the lift, the bike is heavy in the back. When I removed the front wheel, it lost what balance it had and wanted to tilt all the way back, i.e. off the lift. I grabbed the front and held it down--there was no possibility of putting the front wheel back on at that point--then I lowered the lift until the bike could "sit" on the back wheel, and proceeded with my work.

Maybe if I had strapped it, as I should have, this wouldn't have happened, but it was a good lesson in the dynamics of using the lift. It was the first time that I removed the front wheel.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, 3 seats.

Boriqua

Always use the straps !!! Well at least ya didnt drop the bike. Whew
Alex

05Truxter

Sheesh - glad your bonnie didn't learn about gravity from 18" above the garage floor. use those tie-downs, man! Don't know about your lift, but i don't trust the lift i use to hold onto my bike after bump into it as I'm trying to get that last drop of beer out of the can.

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"Well, everybody likes motorcycles... to some degree."
- Bob Dylan

'05 Thruxton, Epco, RaceTech fork springs & cartridge emulators, YSS Shocks, Unifilter, snorkel out, 130 mains, 40 pilot, 1 shim, pilot screw 3 turns, turtle wax

dazco

Thats why whenever i intend to remove a wheel i position the lift towards the front or back depending on which wheel i'm removing. Of course also depending on the lift you may be somewhat limited due to some lifts interfering with the oil filter. But in any case i always position the lift according to what i'm going to do. I've never almost lost it like that, but i have had the rear wheel well off the ground while the front is still in contact !! Can't be good having the lift bend like that. If i were to buy another lift i'd look around and see if there are some with wider rails than most and buy that one.

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2005 Speedmaster, Neon Blue, Thunderbike pipes, snorkel removed, UNI filter, drilled airbox, 130 mains, TBS needles.(2 shims) And speaking of Speedmasters, HERE'S MINE

jfenton

All I can say is "strap on"

Mancha

The same thing happened to me once, and I was using the straps. The rear almost pulled the lift over. It's a friggin' heavy lift too!

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Ogle my bike here.

rick05rocket

glad she didn't drop. . .

ride on

rick

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live to ride

Raindogs

I stopped breathing while reading that post. For G-D sakes use the straps people!!

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Kansas City, MO
'05 Bonnie Black

Baltobonneville

Dazco, I had the lift as far back as it could go under the frame. There's very little leeway, you have to use what's there, by the oil filter.

The lift is the Sears lightweight aluminum motorcycle lift, I like it, except there should be more "fineness" in the release to lower the bike, i.e. it should be easier to release it slowly.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, 3 seats.

SpeedyPete

I'm a stapping kinda guy myself... but maybe not enough.

When I get the bike up on the lift, I anchor the handle bars with a strap from each to the lift. I used to also remove the seat and loop a strap over the frame but I've become lazy and don't do this third strap anymore.

So here's my question: has anyone ever had a balance problem with just the handle bars strapped????

P

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I have heard the song of the Sausage Creature!