Harbor Freight lift (CAUTION)

[MiCarl]

I doubt many put their bikes on the lift backward, but it is quite handy when removing the front wheel. They drummed this into us in school (with lots of practice because it ain't easy) and I always put bikes on backward when working on the front wheel or forks.

 

In addition to my new starter the 89 is getting steering bearings. It's on a Harbor Freight lift backward for the work. The wheel, forks, steering head, instrument cluster, headlight, windshield and top panels are removed. The fairings are still on. The handle bars are resting on the fairing stay above the headlight opening. There are two helmets in the trunk and some junk in the bags.

 

When I lowered the lift I found that in that position the center of gravity is forward of the front legs and the motorcycle and lift tipped down (at the rear of the bike). Fortunately my weight on the hydraulic pedal kept it on the floor until it was down and my foot came off so it only dropped about 3". Raising the lift back up required a lift on the passenger grab rail to keep the motorcycle from falling over backward. At about 1/4 height the center of gravity was back to where the lift stayed on the floor.

 

I wanted to pass this along because if I'd stopped going down at 1/4 or pulled the steering head below that level it would have done a back flip. Don't want anyone to find this issue the painful way.

[MiCarl]

I guess a picture of what I'm talking about might be helpful.

[Black Owl]

Carl,

 

Thanks for the heads up.

[CaptainJoe]

Well, I bet that bunched your shorts up!

 

The wheels, swing arms and forks are heavy on these bikes...

 

I have a HF motorcycle /ATV jack and am constantly worried every time I take the front wheel off.

 

Good post