[REQ] Help loading my UC onto a trailer

 The next round's on me while I float this idea
to see if it's feasible.

The objective is to move my bike to a shop for storage
until spring, but since the roads are so salty right now
I don't want to ride it. I have an ex tent trailer
that's now a flat bed trailer, but at 800 lbs the bike
is too heavy for me to roll up a ramp. So I came up
with an idea -- has anyone done this (successfully)?

1. Hoist up the bike with a hydraulic m/c lift -- looks
something like this:
   http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50137053/Motorcycle_Lift.jpg
The lift is positioned on the right side of the bike
because the side stand is on the left.

The bike has to be lifted slightly higher than the height
of the trailer deck. If necessary, place pieces of plywood
under the lift so as to use as much as possible of its
whole range of movement.

2. Position a heavy (5" by 5") wooden beam under
the bike's rear wheel and perpendicular to it,
supported by two jack stands.

3. Back the trailer into place under the bike's front
wheel. Leave the trailer attached to the tow vehicle.

4. Place 2 heavy planks spanning from the beam to
the rear of the trailer deck; one plank under the
bike's wheels and the other for the side stand.

Support the rear end of the trailer with a bottle
jack or equivalent.

5. Extend the side stand and lower the bike onto
the right plank. The side stand should rest on
the left plank.

6. Remove the bike lift, then use it to support
the plank which bears the bike's weight.
At this point a 3rd plank could be added on the right,
to stand on while moving the bike.

7. Standing on a side plank, lift the bike vertical
and roll it onto the trailer deck.

As a thought experiment, this should work (in theory).
However, I've never done it, and my driveway is all
over ice and snow, which is going to make it even more
interesting. Any helpful ideas appreciated.

Sean_Q_
'99 FLHTCUI

 Sean sed:

0.  Make sure your insurance is paid in full.
0a. Have wife or SO bring the video camera.

08.  Send video to America's Phoniest Home Videos, collect 10,000
09.  Get out of hospital after hernia operation because you *will* try to
keep the 800lb bike from falling.
10.  Fix your bike
11.  Sell the bike

ASSHOLE#104 Len

 AH#104 wrote:


Would it be enough if I posted some pix next door?


Ok, the 3rd plank is mandatory, and I'll straddle the bike
while moving it.

Sean_Q_

 

"I love it when a plan comes together"
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Col. John "Hannibal" Smith

Yer welcome.

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