Getting out of the garage

[usabear]

Originally Posted by old-mo

Just an idea,, Why not make up a reinforced platform big enough to drive the bike on, If you go to fleabay there is a guy selling packs of 4 or eight roller casters with a little lever that is a brake. put all eight stratigicley fixed to spread the weight, then if you have enough room get off, turn the bike and ready to drive out, , I made up half a dozen to move two hundred weight concrete pots in my conservatory that we bought back from abroad.
only cost about twenty quid,, Ah well just a thought.

Yeah, a turntable like they used for locomotives. I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising member of the club could manufacture such an item. Then you'd only need a space wide enough to turn the bike around on it.

[ed]

When I ran my old Virago many moons ago I used to lean it over the sidestand until it was at point of balance, and then turn it around the stand as a pivot point. I have not tried this with my Dyna however as I wonder if the stand could take that weight (ie the whole bike, and not just acting as a prop with the weight still on the tyres). Has anyone tried it? Does it work?

Do you get a hernia that way?

Ed

[Penfold]

Originally Posted by ed

When I ran my old Virago many moons ago I used to lean it over the sidestand until it was at point of balance, and then turn it around the stand as a pivot point. I have not tried this with my Dyna however as I wonder if the stand could take that weight (ie the whole bike, and not just acting as a prop with the weight still on the tyres). Has anyone tried it? Does it work?

Do you get a hernia that way?

Ed

Here are two examples of the motorcycle pivot:-

How to Turn / Pivot a motorcycle

Kickstand Pivot

You can do it this way, but I'll say from experience, it is better to:-

1) Pull the bike around towards the rear, against the sidestand's end stop (As the guy with the red bike is above.). So it is less likely to fold back up. (Yes! I dropped mine - Thank F@$k for engine bars. )

2) Lock the sidestand in it's down position with a tywrap (tie wrap) or string/rope. As they can bounce back to the folded position when you let the bike down. Harley's (like most Americans) are over weight, so you will have a tendency to drop the bike the last few inches as the weight increases as you let it down (Yes, I dropped it again!).

3) Reverse the bike down the gravel as Baza says. Using front brake to control decent and both legs down to stabilize. It's simply far easier and less stressful that picking up a fallen bike. Keep the engine running, so you can use it to pull you up the slope if you need to correct the angle of attack.

Fallen bike:-

How to pick up a motorcycle

How to Pick Up Your Motorcycle

Or get one of THESE.

Harley Reverse

[harleyshrew]

Originally Posted by ed

When I ran my old Virago many moons ago I used to lean it over the sidestand until it was at point of balance, and then turn it around the stand as a pivot point. I have not tried this with my Dyna however as I wonder if the stand could take that weight (ie the whole bike, and not just acting as a prop with the weight still on the tyres). Has anyone tried it? Does it work?

Do you get a hernia that way?

Ed

I would SERIOUSLY NOT do that. When my bike is coming down backwards off the ramp to the shed I have to sometimes put it on the stand while its on an angle half way down the ramp to line the mover up with the back wheel. I think this means that there may be even more weight on the side stand which it does not seem to like. I know a Dyna is a lot heavier than a Virago at the weight is all low down so I would be very wary

[the_monster]

umpa lumpas are the answer, just give them a bar of chocolate and they're happy.

[Helmetbolt]

If you have a Machine Mart bike lift, just drive into the garage, put it onto the lift & spin it round. easy.



Clarke - CML2 Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift - Vehicle Lifts - Machine Mart

[BaZa ®]

Originally Posted by Helmetbolt

If you have a Machine Mart bike lift, just drive into the garage, put it onto the lift & spin it round. easy.
Clarke - CML2 Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift - Vehicle Lifts - Machine Mart

Sorry Mick but Don't ever do that.
It may work for you on a very flat smooth service (But still NOT recommended) But in a garage where there is going to be bits of gravel ( in Foby's case) the odd stone would shatter the castors.

The castors are not designed or strong enough to move the lift with the bike on!

They are only plastic and you should ALWAYS have the stabilisers screwed DOWN when the bike is on the lift.

I learnt from experience and both the rear castors smashed into small pieces.

The castors for easy positioning blurb is for positioning the lift not the lift with the bike on.

Think SAFETY!.... YOU may have been lucky but you are taking one hell of a risk.

PLEASE BE WARNED.

CHECK WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS AND SEE THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

[robbiemac]

BaZa, have you thought about putting steel castors on your lift at all?
The Americana has them on and they are a bit more robust.
Point taken about the safety aspects.

[BaZa ®]

Originally Posted by robbiemac

BaZa, have you thought about putting steel castors on your lift at all?
The Americana has them on and they are a bit more robust.
Point taken about the safety aspects.

I have not thought about it because I DON'T move it when it is on the LIFT.

[Veggie]

Foby, have you considered shoveling away the loose gravel and preparing the ground till its even, then lay a double width of slabs onto a concrete raft. This would give you a safe surface to reverse on.

Your cars tyres would clear it on both sides, so the only weight it would bear would be you on your bike.

If slabbing is too much of a maul, use block pavers and save your back.