noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
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noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
ok so this is my first try at working on a bike beyond regular maintenance type of stuff. I've got a lowered GL1100 that the previous owner has short rear shocks on. I'm planning on putting 13" progressives on to get it back to normal height. Problem though -- I can't fit my motorcycle lift under the frame to lift it up cause the bike already sits too low.
So....how to I get the bike, or at least the rear end of the bike up so I can swap out the shocks? Could I use a car jack - either the scissors type or the hand pump type? What would I rest it under?
I don't know why my attached photos are coming in sideways - sorry. But you can see the height of the lowered lift is already higher than the frame and the exhausts.
So....how to I get the bike, or at least the rear end of the bike up so I can swap out the shocks? Could I use a car jack - either the scissors type or the hand pump type? What would I rest it under?
I don't know why my attached photos are coming in sideways - sorry. But you can see the height of the lowered lift is already higher than the frame and the exhausts.
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- ritalz
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
Roll it onto a piece of 2 by.
Al
2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1976 Goldwing 'Grocery Getter' Sold
1985 Goldwing Interstate 'NCC-1985' sold
1981 Silverwing Sold
1982 Goldeing Project Sold
1981 Goldwing Parted Out
1983 Goldwing Project Sold
1973 CB500F Long Gone
1966 CL77 First Street Bike
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2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1976 Goldwing 'Grocery Getter' Sold
1985 Goldwing Interstate 'NCC-1985' sold
1981 Silverwing Sold
1982 Goldeing Project Sold
1981 Goldwing Parted Out
1983 Goldwing Project Sold
1973 CB500F Long Gone
1966 CL77 First Street Bike
http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.p ... ans/ritalz
- robbie202
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
if you have any exposed beams above you can lift it up in the air with ratchet straps
'77 GL1000
'03 Sportster
2020 KLX 250
'03 Sportster
2020 KLX 250
- 5speed
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
like mentioned above..roll it up on 2 pieces of 2x4. you will need another body to hold it up as the kick stand won't reach the floor
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
if this is still an issue, there is no need to use 2x4's, ceiling lifts, or other methods unless your ground clearance is less than 4". That blue jack will go lower than shown in the pic. When you use the jack to lift something, it clicks into a locking position that keeps it from returning all the way down.
this is easily fixed. while the jack is raised, lift the little handle (chrome with black end) up a click and then release the pneumatic pressure. The jack will lower all the way until the lifting platform is at the same level as the blue metal frame, roughly 4" off the floor.
Roll the lift under the bike and then place a board in the center portion of the lift so you are contacting the bottom of the engine rather than the exhaust
this is easily fixed. while the jack is raised, lift the little handle (chrome with black end) up a click and then release the pneumatic pressure. The jack will lower all the way until the lifting platform is at the same level as the blue metal frame, roughly 4" off the floor.
Roll the lift under the bike and then place a board in the center portion of the lift so you are contacting the bottom of the engine rather than the exhaust
Greater Boston MA, USA
Stable as of 26Dec22: '81 GL1100, '10 Bonnie SE, '86 Yamaha Radian, '83 Suzuki GS650L, '14 Moto Guzzi California, '85 Honda V30 Magna
Stable as of 26Dec22: '81 GL1100, '10 Bonnie SE, '86 Yamaha Radian, '83 Suzuki GS650L, '14 Moto Guzzi California, '85 Honda V30 Magna
- wingrider
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
Seemed odd to me that lift wouldn’t go any lower in the first pic….good for you to help us all out in that info!
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
Id fit a suitable piece of wood under the fender, put the bike in gear, then stick a small scissor jack between the rear wheel and the wood.
Remove the bottom shock bolts, jack the bike up {or jack the wheel down}, then slide the new shocks in.
Remove the bottom shock bolts, jack the bike up {or jack the wheel down}, then slide the new shocks in.
1979 GL1000
2001 DRZ400
1983 CR480
And a few late '60's - early '70's British thumpers
2001 DRZ400
1983 CR480
And a few late '60's - early '70's British thumpers
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
Thanks all - got it taken care of with the tips here!
- pidjones
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
Let me also advise thst you ratchet strap the engine to the lift. If for no other reason than peace of mind.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
- ericheath
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
A lowered Goldwing is sure easier to roll around when seated, but a red flag goes off in my head from your first pic. Maybe tip the bike to each side and see how much lean it can take before hitting the ground. Keep in mind that the shocks and forks can compress on bumps in a cornering situation. Speed bumps you can usually go around if foreseen. I ran mine lowered a little but only scraped the pegs a few times. Not many twisties here.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
Got some normal length shocks on the rear.....12.75". Now I just need to get Progressives in the forks. Researching how difficult that is for a 1 man job. It looks like I don't need to remove the forks?ericheath wrote: ↑Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:32 am A lowered Goldwing is sure easier to roll around when seated, but a red flag goes off in my head from your first pic. Maybe tip the bike to each side and see how much lean it can take before hitting the ground. Keep in mind that the shocks and forks can compress on bumps in a cornering situation. Speed bumps you can usually go around if foreseen. I ran mine lowered a little but only scraped the pegs a few times. Not many twisties here.
- Sagebrush
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
its not a hard job, worst part of it is getting the fork caps back on against the spring pressure. Make sure the bike can't move when you do it, you don't want to push it off of your lift. Progressives are a one piece spring, stock springs are two piece.
Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100
My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread
Raleigh, NC
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100
My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread
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- Billet Alum. Member
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Re: noob question - lifting (with a lift) a lowered GL1100
Are you going to keep the air forks? If not consider adding traditional hex head fork caps. It will make getting the caps back on much easier against the spring force. You can use a normal long socket which provides a stable pushing spot.
The geometry of the air forks caps are not as easy to push against.
In either case, make sure you don't have a valuable gas tank behind your bike. Fork caps can easily become projectiles.
Greater Boston MA, USA
Stable as of 26Dec22: '81 GL1100, '10 Bonnie SE, '86 Yamaha Radian, '83 Suzuki GS650L, '14 Moto Guzzi California, '85 Honda V30 Magna
Stable as of 26Dec22: '81 GL1100, '10 Bonnie SE, '86 Yamaha Radian, '83 Suzuki GS650L, '14 Moto Guzzi California, '85 Honda V30 Magna
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