Motorcycle General Discussion

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Motorcycle General Discussion

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  • #606265
    Graham Titman
    Participant
      @grahamtitman81812

      Hi Old Mart i have the same and it is quite good but made even better by fitting a Bump stop so 1 person can put bike on ramp on their own i will add a couple of photos later.Graham

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      #606280
      colin brannigan
      Participant
        @colinbrannigan54160

        I have the same lift, bought it new ten years ago for under £300 and worth every penny. But be warned you will forget on times to raise the bike, well I do and find yourself on your hands n knees.

        It also serves as an extra bench, without a bike on of course, just a warning the lift does creep down if you don't fit the locking pin.

        Kind regards Colin

        #606286
        Rannsachair
        Participant
          @rannsachair

          I have a very similar lift, really hand if you are tall and suffer back problems.

          pxl_20220528_180508627~2.jpg

          #606314
          bernard towers
          Participant
            @bernardtowers37738

            anyone had a recent classic insurance renewal with a 50 % increase???

            #606319
            Rannsachair
            Participant
              @rannsachair
              Posted by bernard towers on 18/07/2022 17:56:06:

              anyone had a recent classic insurance renewal with a 50 % increase???

              No, am with Footman James and got a slight reduction this year.

              #606322
              old mart
              Participant
                @oldmart

                I have been making sure there is space in my standard size garage for the platform. The bike will have to sit on it when garaged, so I will have no choice but to ride it on. The bike weighs 425 pounds, so I won't be able to push it up the ramp, backing off will be easy, especially as both brakes are on the handlebars. The height minimum is 7" and the width is 26.7". My centre stand is 19" wide and the prop stand sticks out about 5" wider. I may make a slight lip to fit to the left side of the lift where the prop stand goes for security, it can be QD. Also, I will make wooden platforms 7" high and one foot wide to place either side when parking or backing off the stand for security.

                A bump stop would be a safety feature, although there is a heavy cupboard which would stop over runs.

                As for insurance, I have just paid £70 for TPF&T with a 2000 mile limit, the bike is not vintage by any means, being 2008 registered.

                #606337
                Lathejack
                Participant
                  @lathejack
                  Posted by bernard towers on 18/07/2022 17:56:06:

                  anyone had a recent classic insurance renewal with a 50 % increase???

                  Yes last month I had an insurance renewal letter from Carol Nash for my two BSA motorcycles, the price had risen from £140 up to £210.

                  I didn't accept it, but they wouldn't budge on the price, so the bikes are off the road at the moment.

                  #606346
                  Chris Evans 6
                  Participant
                    @chrisevans6
                    Posted by Lathejack on 18/07/2022 20:41:39:

                    Posted by bernard towers on 18/07/2022 17:56:06:

                    anyone had a recent classic insurance renewal with a 50 % increase???

                    Yes last month I had an insurance renewal letter from Carol Nash for my two BSA motorcycles, the price had risen from £140 up to £210.

                    I didn't accept it, but they wouldn't budge on the price, so the bikes are off the road at the moment.

                    As a vintage motorcycle club member we get a good deal from Peter James. £21 cheaper this year £114 for two pre-war BSA bikes.

                    #606347
                    old mart
                    Participant
                      @oldmart

                      My £70 policy was from Carol Nash, I didn't bother with comprehensive as the bike would only be worth £2000 or less. The underwriters are based in Gibraltar.

                      #606357
                      bernard towers
                      Participant
                        @bernardtowers37738

                        they are obviously all in cahoots with one another as the quotes I've had all within a few pound of one another. B****y expensive for less than a thousand miles a year and a customer for 13 years and no claims!

                        #606365
                        MadMike
                        Participant
                          @madmike

                          I have a fully comp policy with Peter James. It covers five classc bikes from, 1951, 1958, 1959, 1961 and 1972 plus my 2012 TriumphThruxton. I renewed just about a month ago and the cost was £238. That was a few pounds less than last year.

                          #606506
                          Peter Jones 20
                          Participant
                            @peterjones20

                            Your lucky you don't live in USA. I'm in Florida and when I ,over here I couldn't believe how much insurance cost.

                            In 1999 I was paying ~£150 a year for a modified Opel Manta 2.3, the same year in Florida it was over $400.00 for a ratty old Toyota Camry 1800

                            Today (2022) it's 'only' gone up to ~$650 for an 18 yr old Mazda pick up truck.

                            Last time I insured bike it cost $160 for 6 months (pound was at £1.22=$1.00, you do the math)

                            Taxes and prices may be lower for many things, but, insurance is probably the biggest rip off ever (plus more items are taxed, even if it is at a lower rate, can't even paddle your own canoe without paying tax on it, plus ordinary 8x4ft trailer, etc)

                            Majority of Americans pay on average 40% of income on insurance, one of the cheapest want's $650 a month plus $120 per visit to doctor so I wouldn't complain about NHS too much

                            When I moved here, the 'cheapest' commodities' I often bought were Newcastle brown and petrol, no wonder they had a drink driving problem, particularly when you consider most bars are not within walking distance and public transport is pretty thin on the ground outside many towns/cities.

                            #606525
                            Robert Butler
                            Participant
                              @robertbutler92161

                              It may be of interest for forum members to note that over the past few years a number of Gibraltar based insurers have gone into liquidation. They receive approval to trans-act business in the UK by virtue of passport arrangement with other member states.

                              Robert Butler

                              #606530
                              Steviegtr
                              Participant
                                @steviegtr
                                Posted by Robert Butler on 19/07/2022 22:40:20:

                                It may be of interest for forum members to note that over the past few years a number of Gibraltar based insurers have gone into liquidation. They receive approval to trans-act business in the UK by virtue of passport arrangement with other member states.

                                Robert Butler

                                MCE went bust on my policy. I did get some refund. It's a laugh because they are always sending me e-mails to go with them.

                                It was either Guernsey or Jersey. But MCE uk did not go pop.

                                Steve.

                                #606611
                                Robert Butler
                                Participant
                                  @robertbutler92161

                                  MCE acted as managing agents and or brokers, not the Insurer so Steviegtr is partially correct in that MCE didn't "go pop". Refunds were made from the FSCS scheme, which is a pool managed to prevent hardship in the event of Insurer failure for example. The pool is funded by levies on insurance policies and the various bodies which comprise the insurance industry.

                                  Nowt for Nowt.

                                  Robert Butler

                                  #606697
                                  old mart
                                  Participant
                                    @oldmart

                                    The 1000 pound capacity motorcycle lifting stand came today, fully boxed and everything was in order. My greatest struggle was to attach the wheels and casters, I had to lift each side in succession to fit them. As the Suzuki Burgman 400 K8 has to be parked on the stand, there was one slight problem which most people would not encounter. The wheel gripper for the front wheel needs to be modified for my use as the bike cannot be locked unless the front wheel is turned to the left. I am thinking of a pivot where the wheel sits for the gripper, so the wheel can be turned after setting on the centre stand. Of course the bike would not start, so I actually managed to push it onto the stand which is 7" high. At the moment, the prop stand sticks out too much for the width of the stand, I will make a small outrigger which can be detached. One thing I found is if you walk on the stand, it will tip up as you get to the front, not dangerous, I tried doing it after the front jacks were deployed and it still tipped. It cost £485 with delivery and took 48 hours from ordering. One thing I haven't tried is to get it off the centre stand, I hope the stand does not slide forward. Another thing to watch out for with a big machine is it hitting things as you raise the stand. I nearly knocked the smart gas meter with a mirror, and I will have to reorganise the garage to move everything a foot further in from the door as the bike comes close when it is up in the air. The stand is 160Kg, but not hard to move about, and I can lift either end off the ground.

                                    #606707
                                    Clive Foster
                                    Participant
                                      @clivefoster55965

                                      Glad your lift arrived and is satisfactory.

                                      But riding the bike up onto it makes you a far braver man than I. I was always less than happy with the stability of a bike putting it onto the usual 7 or 8 + inches above floor level platform.

                                      I eventually got one of the Souria (Ravaglioli?) X frame air over hydraulic ones feeling that 4 inches off the floor was going to be easier on the nerves than the usual type. Purchase only happened after failing dismally to make a copy using a "climb up a pole" farm jack to do the lifting. Having got the real thing its clear that I was over ambitious at the low end in expecting it to work from only 2 inches platform height. Maybe I'll finish it just to satisfy myself.

                                      Even 4 inches off the floor was higher than I like with 560 lb or rotary Norton and 620 lb of Yamaha GTS to manhandle. A side platform to stand on whils heftin things onto the centre stand made me much happier but took up valuable floor room.

                                      I've recently gotten tired of tripping over the bike lift and car lift platforms simply set on the floor. As both are near as dammit 4" high when parked a layer of concrete blocks topped with the interlocking garage floor tiles gives me a nice flat floor. Hefty rubber kerb ramps at the garage entrance are just shallow enough to roll a bike up. Had to replace the self dipping ramp on the bike lift with a platform extension with the usual rear wheel removal hatch. Which objectively I prefer because the standard set up always leave the back wheel hanging.

                                      Finished and operational last week except for some final details. Should have done it years ago.

                                      norton lifted 01 r copy.jpg

                                      norton on lift 01 r copy.jpg

                                      Blue platforms just creeping into shot are the car lift.

                                      Clive

                                      Edited By Clive Foster on 20/07/2022 22:56:54

                                      #606713
                                      peak4
                                      Participant
                                        @peak4
                                        Posted by bernard towers on 18/07/2022 17:56:06:

                                        anyone had a recent classic insurance renewal with a 50 % increase???

                                        I renewed a couple of months ago with RH Classic; obviously numbers are not directly comparable, due to different postcodes and bikes etc. https://www.rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk/motorbike-insurance
                                        This year was £158, and the previous one £188.
                                        I'm quite happy with that for;
                                        1977 900GTS Ducati
                                        1989 Yamaha XT600 Tenere
                                        1979 Triumph T140
                                        1983 Moto Guzzi le Mans3

                                        On a separate policy with them, I also have a modified Landrover Lightweight, and a Marlin Berlinetta kit car, again at a reasonable price. (£174)

                                        Bill

                                        #606715
                                        peak4
                                        Participant
                                          @peak4

                                          Re the quite reasonable comments about riding a bike up onto a raised bench; I was concerned as well, so I obtained a stacker truck pallet and cut it in half.
                                          One half goes on the floor each side of the lowered workbench, which makes everything a bit safer.

                                          I went for the shorter style of hydraulic workbench where the loading ramp is completely removable, rather than having a slot to drop the back wheel out.
                                          I also have a Clarke hydraulic trolley, which pumps up to the same height as the bike bench.
                                          The idea is that, after getting the bike on its centre stand, I remove the loading ramp, and replace it with the pump trolley, with a front wheel paddock stand on the platform.
                                          This provides a very stable and versatile setup, with the front wheel in the normal clamp, and the back one in a paddock stand on the trolley, I can adjust the respective heights of trolley and bench and remove the centre stand etc.

                                          Bill

                                          #606716
                                          peak4
                                          Participant
                                            @peak4

                                            This one is my other setup on an EazyRizer single post lift. https://on-bike.com/ Mine is one of the original models, no longer on sale, but similar to their red one.
                                            You can just see the red hydraulic trolley I mentioned in my previous post, just behind the Bonneville.

                                            Bill

                                            #606819
                                            old mart
                                            Participant
                                              @oldmart

                                              Now I have the lift, I will be making two 7" high by 5 feet by 1 foot wide wooden stages to sit either side when getting on or off. Bear in mind that my scooter at about 425 pounds is heavy to me, but a lot lighter than most modern motorcycles. Back in the 60's anything over 400 pounds was thought of as massive. The reason why it wouldn't start is the low milage I have done so far and today I investigated why my Motobat charger was not working, the 7.5A fuse in the QD charging cable had blown.

                                              #625600
                                              Hopper
                                              Participant
                                                @hopper

                                                Peak4 I like the looks of those lifts. I have a bike parked permanently on top of my ride-on-to bench because it is a major faff and risky to put a bike on or off on my own.

                                                dscn0199.jpg

                                                I decided to get busy this holidays and sort out a few of my bikes so I can move things around my shed more easily and maybe get some actual bike work done. First order was fitting all my Featherbed framed bikes out with proper side stands so they can be easily moved and parked. I just can't do the centrestand thing anymore because of age and decrepitude creeping quickly up on me.

                                                From which start I got some new enthusiasm and dragged out my old Featherbed framed Harley Sportster, aka Snortster that I built int he 1980s rode for a few years then let it languish as various parts were robbed off it for other projects. A sad sight:

                                                dscn0224.jpg

                                                 

                                                First order of busines was to get rid of the gawdawful Harley Electra Glide chrome stand seen here on the floor and replace it with a Kawasaki ZX9 stand and bracket. Bit agricultural but it started out as a temporary thing to move the bike about the shed so will be set up properly when I do the alloy engine plates later on. That little blue scissor jack stand is invaluable and well worth the few dollars it cost. Has two Y brackets on top to hold bottom frame rails without the exhaust and stands getting in the way.

                                                dscn1255.jpg

                                                Through trial and error I discovered the ultimate lean angle on the side stand is 10 to 12 degrees. Far enough to feel stable, but not so far it is a hump to stand the bike upright. So I set the stand up for 9.5 degrees because I am going to fit a 3.25" front tire in place of that old 2.75. And will drop that mudguard too.

                                                dscn1253.jpg

                                                Next order was getting the front end sorted out, new seals and tubes and bushes, gaiters etc

                                                dscn1257.jpg

                                                Next, sorting the 2LS front brake, soldering cables, mounting the new front tyre. And it looks like a new sidestand has turned into a new project!

                                                Edited By Hopper on 21/12/2022 03:26:45

                                                #625720
                                                george baker 1
                                                Participant
                                                  @georgebaker1

                                                  Hi

                                                  tell us more about the blue jack please

                                                  George

                                                  #625726
                                                  Pete.
                                                  Participant
                                                    @pete-2

                                                    I recently became aware that Triumph are releasing a motocross bike soon, they've had motocross supremo Ricky Carmichael on board helping with the development, there will be 250cc Triumph team put forward first following with 450cc class the following year, as a former trials rider this is the most exciting motorcycle news of the past decade, a British bike back in off road motorsport.

                                                    img_20221221_230239.jpg

                                                    #625728
                                                    Hopper
                                                    Participant
                                                      @hopper
                                                      Posted by george baker 1 on 21/12/2022 22:19:53:

                                                      Hi

                                                      tell us more about the blue jack please

                                                       

                                                      George

                                                      It is just a scissor jack arrangement like a car jack but with diagonal braces so the top plate is stable side to side. You wind it up like a car jack with a tube spanner slipped over a hex nut on the end of the "lead screw" seen on the right hand side. Very easy to lift the bike up and very stable once it is up there.

                                                      By sliding it back or forth you can either lift front or rear wheel off the ground.

                                                      The top plate has two Y brackets that slide back and forth to fit the bottom frame rails of your bike, so if there are exhaust pipes and stands etc hanging down, it is still supported firmly by the frame tubes.

                                                      Greatest thing since sliced bread. I should have had one years ago. And only cost about $80 (40 Quid) delivered.

                                                      Here is one on eBay from a UK supplier, just to show further details. LINK

                                                      I reckon you might want to shop around a bit at that price though. Aliexpress has them a lot cheaper and I think they are all much the same. Just have to wait for it to arrive on the slow boat from China, literally, with their free shipping. I think mine is a Vevor brand.

                                                      Edited By Hopper on 22/12/2022 01:21:12

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