I've been thinking about a hydraulic lift for the T'Bird to make it a deal easier to clean and maintain the bike. Saw this one: http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/bike-lifts-movers/bike-it-americana-hydraulic-lift Has anyone used one of these or is able to recommend an alternative please?
If your talking 1600 Tbird its gets more difficult to lift using one of these as they don't have a continuous double frame running underneath as the engine forms part of frame and using a lift as shown means lifting the bike with one support on the sump !!!! Some say that's ok some feel very worrying about that (Me included) (but them lifts on the whole are good lifts, I have one it worked great on the America)
Not got the demon tweek one, but have this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycl...311267?hash=item2a7c6f8ae3:g:ZYcAAOSw-FZXkIkX I've used it on my street twin very successfully, however as TEZ 217 has said it is difficult to use this type of lift on the LT. I'm into my dealers this coming week and I going to ask the optimum way in which I can get the LT up on the lift; if it is at all possible. I will let you know how I get on. Wessa
I have had one like this for my Thruxton for the last 3 years works well and folds up virtually flat. You need frame under the bike though to rest on
I'm not entirely convinced that resting all 368 kilos of the Bird on the sump is a good idea either although, from discussions on other forums, there seem to be plenty of folk who do with no problem. That may be because the engine is an integral part of the chassis and therefore the sump is pretty meaty, or it may be because they're all lucky people. I suspect that it's like what they say about kinky sex ie. it only seems kinky the first time you do it! Wessa: I'll be very interested to see what the dealer says about it.
I spoke to Abba a while back. They do a fittings kit for their stand to suit the Bird, though you have to remove the right-side transmission cover and de-mount the coolant reservoir that sits under the cover to access the swinging-arm pivot. Seems a bit of a faff when all you want to do is wash the bike! You'd also need to be pretty strong in t'arm to get the bike onto the stand - something that Abba themselves suggested that I bear in mind.
I built one of these .... following instructions here - http://www.cafematty.com/diy-motorcycle-table-lift/ Only cost about £80 and it has been brilliant! I know its a a bit big but very stable!
I'm in tomorrow for my street twin first service, so will provide an update on the t'bird lift after my visit. Wessa
Ok been into the dealers today (street twin service went fine). I first spoke to one of the sales guy's, always keen to help but could not answer my question on the optimum way to lift the LT. So tried the service guy's; ended up speaking to one of the mechanics (are they called this any more or are they technicians?). He inspected an LT in the show room and reakons that it should be possible to lift the bike on the sump, but suggested that I contact Triumph to confirm if this would cause any problems. So I have dropped Triumph a note. We will see how long they take to respond and what they have to suggest a solution. Wessa
I'm looking at one of these at the moment. They do a mounting kit for the Thunderbird. they are expensive but I dont think you'd ever need another.... https://www.on-bike.com
Is that the manufacturer from Germany? If so I asked about my Thunderbird 1600 and they said it wasn't suitable. They do the Thunderbird 900/900s but not the later ones, due to the weight of the later Thunderbirds.
Gary, UK made I believe... Thunderbird lift Thunderbird 1600/1700 Mounts. https://www.on-bike.com/product/t-bird-161700-mt-set/
Yep seen them its about 400 to 425 quids worth plus 55 for the supports, my mates got one but he wont part with it even though he dont use it, !!! I'm not giving up though
Yep top lift but expensive at circa £500. I've had some success today w ith my lift (only £69 on ebay). I've given up on being able to lift the bike with both wheels of the ground at the same time, but I did manage to get the rear end lifted which allowed easy access for cleaning (spent a couple of hours cleaning rear spokes and wheel). The front lift points are to wide for the bed on my lift, so I will need to manufacture an extension. Looked on the net and I'm confident I can get the steel I will need to complete this, so once completed I will be able to get the front end elevated as well. Here are some pictures of the back end lifted. Wessa
Looks like you wood blocked one lifting arm and lifted from the rear lugs behind the cat, is that correct ? was it securely balanced to a point where you felt safe ?
Hi TEZ 217 you are correct I used one of the lifting arms with a wood block. Yep it was secure and I felt really comfortable working around the bike. I also got a metal profile to fit over one of the lifting arms today (only a £5'er from my local metal workers shop), again with some wood blocks and I got the front end elevated. As with the backend nice and secure and allowed me easy access to the front wheel for cleaning. Pictures below. Wessa
So your lifting that via the wood blocks on the engine bars ? just noticed it may be on the foot boards supports.
Hi Tez yep the bottom end of the bars are connected to the front frame. On the right side there is a plate that the wood block sits under and on the left I had to go under the end of the bar as the top of the side stand is in the way. It all seems to be fine and was secure once the bike was up on the lift; certainly enough to allow easy cleaning of the front wheel. Being able to get both the front and rear end lifted for cleaning has been a real bonus, no more shuffling the bike up and down the drive on my hands and knees. Wessa
Just received the following back from Triumph regarding my question about lifting the LT on the sump. Hi Thank you for your email. You can use a motorcycle lift positioned under the sump to lift the Thunderbird up. We use a similar method at the factory but would always advise that additional tie down points are used to keep the bike stable whilst up on the lift. Kind Regards Triumph UK Sounds like it is possible to get the bike up using the sump which is usful to know. I'm happy with the method I have acheived by doing the front and rear seperately which has revolutionised the cleaning of my LT for me. Wessa
