Whats The Last Thing You Bought?

Bought a couple of bike jacks and have found that due to the coolant hoses and oil filter position that they are very difficult to use on this Honda Shadow which is very disappointing to say the least as I need to remove the forks to get the seals replaced. Will have to see I can figure out a safe way to lift it so the forks can be removed.

The plan is to take the fork legs to somewhere that has a seal driver to fit the new seals without me having to buy the tool as let's face it's not a tool that I am likely to use again especially as the Triumph and Honda have different tube diameters.

Plezier

 

Show us a pic or 2 of your Jacks and maybe we can offer some ideas?

 

Posted them the other day post #1236 on the previous page but here they are again;
:-





The smaller one with the curved pegs will raise it ut it is tilted to the left the larger hydraulic one puts pressure on the oil filter and the coolant hoses beneath the bike am wondering about cutting some wood to miss those things.

Plezier

 

Right so, the first pic here I have one of those also.
Yep, why don't you get a piece of say 4" X 2" wood (100 X 50mm) or whatever you have hanging about, it needs to be longer than the bikes width. Shape the top face to fit your sump profile, err towards the front of the engine if doing the forks, depending on the point of balance.
I take the black curved bits off and work with a flat face as I find it easier.
I have some plastic packers that are about 50mm X 25mm and use multiples of these to fit under the sump I.e. between the exhausts, filters etc.
Very stable and if in doubt ratchet strap the jack to the bike

 

The hydraulic one came with tie downs. Exhausts are not the issue on the Shadow as the are the right side and not under the frame/engine at all:-



As shown here if it comes to it will have to use the block & Tackle from the rafters bought a new one to lift the MGF off the sub frame. So not out of options really just annoying spending the money on these jacks and them not working as I thought they would.

Plezier

 

It does look an awkward bike for this operation with it being long and low.

You see I would be tying the rear swinging arm at the highest point, both sides, in a triangulation way to add side stability then lifting the sump, but I'm working on a table so have a base plate to clamp to.

Alternatively, I also have a front paddock stand that pins under the bottom yoke which may have been a solution, but it can't be used in isolation, it needs to work in collaboration with a rear paddock stand for stability.

For you, maybe the block and tackle is the safer and easier route

 

Have paddock stands bought them for the Ducati Monster but the rear one does not work on the Shadow due to the shape of the swing arm and the rear brake torque arm yes I tried it Have the front one that fits into the bottom of the front forks but as it's the fork legs that I need to remove this is no good. I will figure something out.

Plezier

 

This is like the front one I was referring to, not the lift on the lower leg type which would obviously be no use for your task..

https://ebay.us/m/xkZdYG

 

Have sussed out why these jacks are tipping the bike to the left. In their wisdom it seems that Honda built the Shadow's frame with the right bottom rail lower than the left one:-



By using a small piece of wood have managed to mostly level it up



Here you can see the lower coolant hose that stops the other jack from being used easily.



The bike should now be high enough to remove the fork legs ut if not there is plenty of height left in the jack the safety bar is only in th first hole.

Plezier

 

Chock the rear wheel otherwise a slight roll back will end in disaster.

Alternatively with a bit of paracord/string, tie the jack in a v formation to the rear wheel rim to retain the distance.

 

Brought it down of the jack and actually took the Shadow out for a ride to town and ack 26km not far really but every little helps. The guy I bought it off is going to let me know when he can replace the forks seals saving me the hassle and expense of buying a seal driver and a bench vice.

Will still have to buy a vice at some point mine got lost in the move .................... no don't ask let's just say someone in Ukrain it probably using it.

Plezier

 

It arrived today, spurred on by other @Iceman posts on here.



Only a cheapo copy as I'm not sure I need one, but the other thread had got me thinking so worth trying for £15 I think it was.

 

Actually the last thing I bought was these for the 800....



I was going to buy the integrated version but couldn't justify the extra £50 just for a differently located switch.

Note the integrated version appeared quite short in length, 4mm shorter than the pictured product above, so worth noting as that may sway your choice?

 

They are brilliant, and very warm too.

 

Here's a point of interest;
I went into Leeds to the sports bike shop to see the various Oxford heated grips in the flesh so to speak.
Infinity motorcycles had sent me a "special customer' or some other such nonsense, an extra £10 off any order over £30
Once I'd decided what to buy, I asked the sportbike shop assistant if they would price match.
Oh yes no problem.
Ok so here's my price from Infinity and here's the additional discount.



Sorry we can't match any additional discount codes.
"Ok, no bother, thanks for your assistance" and I left.
Once outside I tried to buy online from Infinity in the car park but it wouldn't work. I rang the York shop and asked what the problem was?
No idea, you need to phone the online number.

Oh, thanks.

I had my suspicion so reread the voucher and the so called extra £10 off.

Carefully read the small white on blue writing?

I went back in and purchased from the sports bike shop.

 

I have the same on my 450 Kove and find them ideal for drying gloves after a fall or wet day.

 

Same on my Ducati; far better than the Triumph ones on my Street Triple.

 

Interesting.
When I went to Orkney, one day it absolutely hammered it down.
Main issue the next day was wet gloves which I hate. The street twin has factory heated grips with low or high settings but I never use high as it just feels like a burning sensation to the palms, however with totally soaked gloves now wrung out, they were just the ticket to dry them out over about 2 or 3 hours use.

Worth trying if you get caught out or you are camping as I was.

I'm intending using the 800 for some longer trips hence currently adding various bits in preparation.

 

With the Ultimateaddons grips that I’ve fitted to the Striple there were two grip lengths available. It was the bar mounted switch on the Oxford models that persuaded me to go for the integrated style and having used them it was definitely the right choice.

 

With the Ultimateaddons grips that I’ve fitted to the Striple there were two grip lengths available. It was the bar mounted switch on the Oxford models that persuaded me to go for the integrated style and having used them it was definitely the right choice.