Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 12, 2021, 05:45:01 PM
You guessed it - my good lady said "what would you like for Christmas". ;D ;D ;D
Since I am only back into biking for the past 3 yrs, I haven't invested into any special kit for balancing/lifting the bike to do work.
I was trying to get the benefit of your experience on what works well for lifting/suspending the 400f to do:
1. Work with the bike suspended about 1 foot from the ground with both wheels free, using a central lift from the sump and tubular frame area. This would be my preferred option if there is a suitable piece of kit.
My experience while improvising with a trolley jack is that the centre of gravity is well forward, and jacking there results in lifting the rear wheel, rather than the front, with a tendency for the bike to tip forwards. Blocks are needed to clear the exhaust pipes near the frame. Would straps onto a lift platform achieve a satisfactory balance ?
2. And if using pit type stands, would the removal of the front wheel present problems due to the fork cap and spindle design.?
What works well for you on your 400f. ;) :)
Appreciate your experience on this type of kit.
Thanks
Dennis
Post by: billdn on November 12, 2021, 05:49:06 PM
Post by: billdn on November 12, 2021, 05:53:03 PM
Try this link.
Cheers
Bill
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 12, 2021, 06:34:13 PM
https://youtu.be/tKh6d7RPiag
Try this link.
Cheers
Bill
Thanks Bill, ;D
The link is very useful and I can see the range of models they offer. I will keep this one in mind.
Was yours the blue or red design ?
How did you secure it when lifting ?
Thanks
Dennis
Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 06:37:47 PM
8)
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 12, 2021, 06:51:53 PM
put it on its centre stand so the back wheel is off the floor and suspend the front with a strop from the bars to the ceiling...cheap and simple and it'lll never move. That way you can have some shiny spanners in your stocking as well!
8)
Hi Laverdaroo,
Defo a cheap option to keep in mind.
I've just done a quick garage survey of roof supports in the garage. Span of 3mtrs of 6"x2" wood beams 15"spaced for the "Sky Hooks" to screw into , supporting a flat roof.
What do you recon ??
Thanks :)
Dennis
Post by: billdn on November 12, 2021, 07:34:39 PM
https://youtu.be/tKh6d7RPiag
Try this link.
HI, went for the red one, blue more for Harleys etc. No need to fix to floor , free standing , brackets go over foot rests but bit of jiggery pokery required around olive pan area, wedge block of wood - I'll take some pics of mine in use. 👍
Cheers
Bill
Thanks Bill, ;D
The link is very useful and I can see the range of models they offer. I will keep this one in mind.
Was yours the blue or red design ?
How did you secure it when lifting ?
Thanks
Dennis
Post by: billdn on November 12, 2021, 07:35:44 PM
Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 07:36:15 PM
place as required on under the bars and crack on, it will be a level lift. If you cant get any with big enough hooks, use two smaller strops and just form a loop on either joist and put over the bar ends.
Your joists sound more than up to it but to spread the weight just chuck your single strop over two joists it'll spread the weight a bit if youre worried, it also allows a bit more space if your working around the bars during the fettling period and off the floor.
Just be careful hoisting the bike up with the strop on the twistgrip. Old plastic twist grips wont handle it and may crush so if you can, get the strops on the bar metal, it just reduces the 'Please make that just didnt happen' moments ;) :D 8)
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 12, 2021, 07:37:40 PM
Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 07:42:21 PM
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 12, 2021, 09:01:40 PM
I can see the obvious concerns, its good to get your points of view though.
At this stage I am just weighing up what you guys use and seeing what comes up.
Cheers ;)
Dennis
Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 09:47:15 PM
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 12, 2021, 10:08:42 PM
Preference is always going to be a proper bike bench, they're ace and I wouldnt be without mine now but even second hand ones are dear unless you can catch a bargain. Second hand you're looking at £250+ but once in the shed you realise what good value it is.
Can I ask you what you felt best suited you for your own use now and how well it handles the 400f.
Thanks
Dennis
Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 10:22:08 PM
You can sit on a chair and do engine work and as you don’t have to bend down you don’t drop yer goggles off yer head and have to grovel about trying to hunt with one hand
The 400 fits it well with about 2 foot to spare on the end. Wouldn’t be without it now. I found mine on flea bay and snagged it for £175 as I turned up with it all in fivers so it looked like a good wodge of cash. It’s old but spot on.
Before n after’s, my sheds, 6m x 3.5m and full so it’s a squeeze but worth walking about sideways
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211112/e3c9c9af3da7b899cf52ad219d1c8f7b.jpg)The front ends off it there and you can see the strip on the front. That was there for 4 months, no dramas
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Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 12, 2021, 10:27:51 PM
As has been said there is also a good used market so if you do buy new they still have a reasonable residual value when you come to sell it some years down the line.
You pays your money & try to make an informed choice. Might be worth asking here if anyone has one they want to part with.
Mine will be up for sale by Wendy when I pop my cloggs - hopefully not any time soon.lol
Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 10:28:23 PM
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Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 10:30:07 PM
Even this Larry old thing is fine on herLardy!
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Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 10:30:47 PM
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Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 10:31:44 PM
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Post by: Laverdaroo on November 12, 2021, 10:38:37 PM
..
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Post by: TrickyMicky on November 12, 2021, 11:52:32 PM
The BIG mistake I made was to buy a nice long lift without realising that it used the parallelogram type lifting legs meaning that from floor level to full height the platform moved forward nearly 3 feet. Had to dispose of this one and obtain one with scissor type legs which give a straight vertical lift. Definitely a worthwhile addition, especially as they can be moved with care. Be warned, though, they are bleedin' heavy. Have fun. Mike.
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 13, 2021, 12:39:10 PM
One thing about buying a new one is the hydraulics have a warranty I bought a Clarke unit from a company called Sitebox - spares are available for Clarke stuff - some of the cheaper chinese products do not all have a good parts supply.
As has been said there is also a good used market so if you do buy new they still have a reasonable residual value when you come to sell it some years down the line.
You pays your money & try to make an informed choice. Might be worth asking here if anyone has one they want to part with.
Mine will be up for sale by Wendy
when I pop my cloggs - hopefully not any time soon.lol
Hey Ted,
Whats this all about mate, I've got a few years on you.
Didn't you realise that 70+ is the new 45especially for bikers.!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers ;)
Dennis
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 13, 2021, 12:43:50 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211112/2abcf40f547f785941c8f92d63b0ede8.jpg)
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Hi Laverdaroo
Thanks for your pictures, tips and your experience on the platform lift, they are very useful.
Cheers ;D ;D
Dennis
Post by: billdn on November 14, 2021, 08:54:37 AM
Oops read oil not olive 😬
Here's some pics of the easy rider in action, steady as a rock. Close up is of wedge on top of platen on lift to accommodate odd shape of sump.
Post by: Green1 on November 14, 2021, 10:55:03 AM
He didn't notice until the other day when moving it to his new place of work. He thinks that he must have done it loading it onto the van.
My garage floor is as bumpy as hell and it can be a real pig to move with a bike on it.
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 14, 2021, 01:27:55 PM
Oops read oil not olive 😬
Here's some pics of the easy rider in action, steady as a rock. Close up is of wedge on top of platen on lift to accommodate odd shape of sump.
Hi Bill,
Thanks very much for taking the trouble to show the pictures with the 400f mounted on the lift, thats most helpful,
Does the 4branch exhaust on the rh side cause any issues when lifting because it almost masks the rh frame tube or have you shaped blocks to compensate. ?
Great stuff ;D
Thanks
Dennis
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 14, 2021, 01:31:12 PM
I have a ramp with the parallelogram type legs. Mine has a tendency to skid across the floor when pushing the bike up it. If I forget to move it back when lowering it. It sits nicely on the open draw of my brothers snap on tool chest that he dumped in front of it.
He didn't notice until the other day when moving it to his new place of work. He thinks that he must have done it loading it onto the van.
My garage floor is as bumpy as hell and it can be a real pig to move with a bike on it.
Hi Green 1,
Thanks for posting, its good to know what pitfalls may exist for certain models and learn from your experience.
Cheers ;) ;D
Dennis
Post by: billdn on November 14, 2021, 01:53:45 PM
Oops read oil not olive 😬
Here's some pics of the easy rider in action, steady as a rock. Close up is of wedge on top of platen on lift to accommodate odd shape of sump.
Hi Bill,
Thanks very much for taking the trouble to show the pictures with the 400f mounted on the lift, thats most helpful,
Does the 4branch exhaust on the rh side cause any issues when lifting because it almost masks the rh frame tube or have you shaped blocks to compensate. ?
Great stuff ;D
Thanks
Dennis
Dennis, careful positioning just clears downpipes and exhaust. Bit of a faff but doable 👍
Post by: billdn on November 14, 2021, 03:19:08 PM
Post by: Moorey on November 14, 2021, 03:35:25 PM
Hi Guys,
You guessed it - my good lady said "what would you like for Christmas". ;D ;D ;D
Since I am only back into biking for the past 3 yrs, I haven't invested into any special kit for balancing/lifting the bike to do work.
I was trying to get the benefit of your experience on what works well for lifting/suspending the 400f to do:
1. Work with the bike suspended about 1 foot from the ground with both wheels free, using a central lift from the sump and tubular frame area. This would be my preferred option if there is a suitable piece of kit.
My experience while improvising with a trolley jack is that the centre of gravity is well forward, and jacking there results in lifting the rear wheel, rather than the front, with a tendency for the bike to tip forwards. Blocks are needed to clear the exhaust pipes near the frame. Would straps onto a lift platform achieve a satisfactory balance ?
2. And if using pit type stands, would the removal of the front wheel present problems due to the fork cap and spindle design.?
What works well for you on your 400f. ;) :)
Appreciate your experience on this type of kit.
Thanks
Dennis
If you buy a hydraulic bench ensure the deck is wide enough many are on the narrow side and will not allow you to wheel a bike on and just put the side stand down.
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 14, 2021, 07:10:45 PM
Dennis, some pics of exhaust side and "custom " wedge ! Note exhaust is reverse cone mega which is not standard.
Hi Bill,
Thanks very much for the extra details showing the supports.
Cheers ;D
Dennis
Post by: 400 Cafe Racer on November 14, 2021, 07:14:07 PM
Hi Guys,
You guessed it - my good lady said "what would you like for Christmas". ;D ;D ;D
Since I am only back into biking for the past 3 yrs, I haven't invested into any special kit for balancing/lifting the bike to do work.
I was trying to get the benefit of your experience on what works well for lifting/suspending the 400f to do:
1. Work with the bike suspended about 1 foot from the ground with both wheels free, using a central lift from the sump and tubular frame area. This would be my preferred option if there is a suitable piece of kit.
My experience while improvising with a trolley jack is that the centre of gravity is well forward, and jacking there results in lifting the rear wheel, rather than the front, with a tendency for the bike to tip forwards. Blocks are needed to clear the exhaust pipes near the frame. Would straps onto a lift platform achieve a satisfactory balance ?
2. And if using pit type stands, would the removal of the front wheel present problems due to the fork cap and spindle design.?
What works well for you on your 400f. ;) :)
Appreciate your experience on this type of kit.
Thanks
Dennis
If you buy a hydraulic bench ensure the deck is wide enough many are on the narrow side and will not allow you to wheel a bike on and just put the side stand down.
Thanks for the benefit of your experience Moorey. I am erring towards centre lift models with no wheeling on.
Cheers ;D
Dennis
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 15, 2021, 06:33:40 AM
Hi Guys,
You guessed it - my good lady said "what would you like for Christmas". ;D ;D ;D
Since I am only back into biking for the past 3 yrs, I haven't invested into any special kit for balancing/lifting the bike to do work.
I was trying to get the benefit of your experience on what works well for lifting/suspending the 400f to do:
1. Work with the bike suspended about 1 foot from the ground with both wheels free, using a central lift from the sump and tubular frame area. This would be my preferred option if there is a suitable piece of kit.
My experience while improvising with a trolley jack is that the centre of gravity is well forward, and jacking there results in lifting the rear wheel, rather than the front, with a tendency for the bike to tip forwards. Blocks are needed to clear the exhaust pipes near the frame. Would straps onto a lift platform achieve a satisfactory balance ?
2. And if using pit type stands, would the removal of the front wheel present problems due to the fork cap and spindle design.?
What works well for you on your 400f. ;) :)
Appreciate your experience on this type of kit.
Thanks
Dennis
If you buy a hydraulic bench ensure the deck is wide enough many are on the narrow side and will not allow you to wheel a bike on and just put the side stand down.
Thanks for the benefit of your experience Moorey. I am erring towards centre lift models with no wheeling on.
Cheers ;D
Dennis
Not familiar with centre lift models - do they bolt to the floor for stabilty of do they have a big platform?
Post by: billdn on November 15, 2021, 08:09:12 AM
The centre lift models don't have to be bolted to the floor at all, and can be stored to one side of any garage/working area once assembled without losing too much space, when not in use. I'm particularly pleased with it as you can freely work on the wheels without extra support and raise and lower to your exact needs.
The only modification is creating the "wedge" for the centre platen as the platen is flat and 400/4 sump isn't as you know. once lifted the support is completed by the clamps over the footrest, in my pics I've put on some ratty old ones , as I had rear sets fitted and it wouldn't work with them at all!