| Author | Message | ||
     Captjoe |
I've finally given up on having my local harley dealer store my 1125r for the winter. The $590 for 5 months of storage didn't even include the oil change so I'm fighting back against the extortion. I'm going to store it myself and have been looking for a motorcycle jack to lift it for the duration, however, the OEM exhaust seems to be presenting a problem. How do you guys lift the bikes up for the winter? | ||
| Zac4mac |
I don't. I live just north of Denver CO and ride pretty much all year. I drive my 4x4 on snow days but a few days later, the roads are clear again so it's time to bundle-up and ride. Gotta love heated grips... Z <edit> However, if I were to put her "up", I'd get a pair of Pit Bull lifts and pick her up that way. A swingarm lift for the rear and a fork lift for the front would do the trick nicely... (Message edited by zac4mac on September 30, 2012) | ||
| Jcjohnson33 |
I don't lift it either for the winter. I still pull it out once a week to start it and roll it around a bit. I don't have heated gear so I don't ride.  I live in Reno, NV. Right on the state line of CA | ||
| D_adams |
Pitbull stands if you're planning on long term storage. If it's only sitting a few months, I do what Zac does, roll it around some. I'm good down to 20-25 degrees, but I don't ride all year. I guess the earliest I normally start is in Feb. | ||
| Ratbuell |
If you're on a budget, you can do it with two jack stands and a piece of threaded rod or electrical conduit (pipe). Slide the pipe through the rear axle while it's on the sidestand. Put a jackstand under the high end of the pipe, as close to the wheel as you can get it. Lift on the low end of the pipe, lifting the bike off the sidestand and levering it onto the jackstand. Slide the other jackstand under the low end of the pipe. Done. If you don't/can't lift the front tire, make sure it's not directly on concrete. Piece of carpet, piece of plywood, something - will help keep it from flat-spotting. While it's stored - DO NOT START IT. Same rules apply as the riding season - if you're going to start it, RIDE IT for at least half an hour to burn moisture out of the oils and to recharge the electrics after the starting drain. | ||
| Dmfb88 |
I store mine on pit bull stands. The front one that lifts from the neck and the rear one that lifts from the axle slider. This way the tires and the suspension have no weight on them. The stands were worth every penny and I use them for everything from working on the bike to storing it and washing it. | ||
| J2blue |
ICE RACING! Just kidding, pit bull stands are stable. Also, a rod through the axle hole will let you use regular jack stands to hold the rear off the ground. I'm not sure if that would cause undue stress or strain, but it is good redneck engineering. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
I was thinking about storing mine in a vacant bedroom in my house until I saw how much fuell comes out of the overflow on a constant basis. That might make for a bad combination when the pellet stove is kicked on. | ||
| Syonyk |
I don't see why a rod through the axle would cause any greater stress than sitting on the wheel - it's supporting it the same way. But the Pit Bull stands are awesome. They're American made, and the most overkill stands I've ever seen. They come with a tag that simply states, "This stand will outlast your motorcycle." And I see no reason to disagree. They are BUILT. As far as winter storage, I don't do anything special either. Change the oil before the winter, and then either ride it, or let it sit. Pump the tires up a few pounds high if you're going to let it sit on the wheels, and throw some StaBil or such in the gas. It might be worth pulling the battery & storing it on a trickle charger if it's going to be a few months without riding. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
Syonyk the reason for lifting isn't relaxing the suspension it's to keep the tires from flat spotting. | ||
| Sl33py |
A Pitbull alternative (I have the PB's and love them) - T Rex stands (FR+RR for less than 1 PB almost) http://t-rex-racing.com/catalog.php?category=46 GL! | ||
| Baf |
@Dmfb88 - Not that it really matters, but the rear putbull stand does nothing to unload the suspension. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
trex stands ftw. if you want to raise it on the cheap. use ratchets through the rafters on the garage. Or an ATV stand and some 2x4's | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Rocky's in London is cheaper than that and included an oil change last time. I have two bikes to store this year, one needs work, so I'm looking to rent a garage. There's a new heated storage place that will price match against Rocky's price for two bikes. Go with pitbull for the rear because of the swingarm design. The front can be any other except you need to make sure the adapter is the right one. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
why lift it for winter? Just move it around if your concern is flatspotting. Save your money | ||
| Craigg |
+1 on Pitbull stands. Thats what I do and then its easy to still take it out if I have a good day to ride during winter | ||
| Captjoe |
Thanks for the info. The idea is to prevent flatspotting but I won't have access to the bike enough times to roll it back and forth a few times throughout the winter. I'm already looking into the Pit bulls as the best option and price wise, I should still be able to save money over the storage. Thanks for the ideas folks, it's much appreciated. | ||
| Zac4mac |
If you have access to ceiling studs, consider Dktech's idea of hanging it. Then it can't get tipped over, big(to me) issue when on stands... Z | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Check bluestreakracing.ca for pitbull prices. Free shipping, double check that, he's just down the road from me so I picked it up at the shop. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Park it on carpet on top of 2x4's. The flat spots will go away within the first couple miles once the tires heat up. |
