Harley Davidson Forums - Here's a problem...

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Here's a problem...

OK, let me begin by saying I'm very tired. New puppy and no good sleep for 2+ weeks... please be patient with me. I'm a complete rookie to wrenching and also not the sharpest tool in the shed-- here's proof:

Getting ready to put on my new Shotgun shock from Dr. VTwin. It's not here yet, but thought I'd prepare a little bit and pull the shocks from the 'ol sled. Got the bike on the Pitbull, wrestled with the shock bolts for about an hour-- pounding, pulling, cussing, pounding, coming in to find related forum posts, pounding, cussing...and success! Got the shock bolts out!

time to pull the shocks out, and oh yeah... shocks of course won't come out with bike on the lift, so dropped her down and, oh right... bike is very low now with no shocks so lift won't come out.

So now bike is trapped on the lift, shocks are trapped in the bike, and I've come inside for a shot of tequila while I figure this out. Thought you guys might enjoy helping me out and/or making fun of me.

here are my thoughts so far:

-- JACK STANDS: I don't have any, but could go get some. Problem is the good jack points are under the lift. Also worried that the bike might try to roll when I lower it down on the stands if I just put them in the back. overthinking this? Maybe velcro the front brake lever to lock up the front wheel? Side note: Pitbull lift has a very broad base and I don't think the jack stands will fit under the bike anywhere.

-- STACK OF LUMBER UNDER REAR TIRE: would probably give me enough height to pull the lift out, but I'm working alone and sidestand isn't gonna keep this thing off it's side...

-- WHEEL CHOCK: I do have a chock secured to the garage floor. If I pull the cars out, roll the bike/lift over to the chock, and lower it onto the pre-mentioned stack of lumber under the rear wheel, maybe that would work?

-- THE SIMPLE SOLUTION I'M TOO TIRED/STUPID TO THINK OF:

__________________________________________________ ______ (fill in)

this should be fun...

Do you have a regular bottle jack? Place a piece of wood over it and use it to raise/lower the rear wheel so the shocks clear.
Or are the lift arms in the way?

Tomorrow get a 12 pack and a buddy or 2. No sense in tryin to get it off the lift alone, you could drop the bike or get hurt. LOL it happens bro, dont get discouraged, just get some more hands. Good luck, and take a shot for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by creatv1 (Post 7748323)

I was laughing so frinkin hard reading this post I about fell outta my chair! Put the shock bolt back in?

We have all done chit like this, we have just never posted it.:icon_laugh:
One shot of tequila gone down for my friend creatv1.

Ok, so the fill in the blank part made me laugh...

Sounds like you need an extra set of hands. Where do you live bro?

Also, I've had my last two sport bikes on stands at the back wheel and no problem with either bike trying to roll forward.

ratchet straps and rafters.

Jack it back up. Put some straps under the frame, and over the rafters if you can. Lower the jack. The bike kinda hangs.

Something like this might work.

Find anchor points in the garage and strap the bike in 4 opposing directions so it won't roll on you. Lower it onto some lumber under both wheels and pull out the lift.

When I say lumber, I mean something that has the height you need to work but also a stable platform to hold the bike in place.

Just an idea....

puppy just peed on the F$#@**@ floor again...

ok, so the solutions so far are good. Kowan, swingarm is in the way, so doesn't matter how low/high the wheel goes-- fricken shocks won't come out. Putting the shock bolt back in is interesting, but puts me back where I started, yes? Still need to get the shocks out...

I'm thinking the "extra set of hands" may be the best bet. I could support the bike on the lumber while "Extra Hands" drops the lift, pulls the shocks out, and puts the bike back on the lift. I'm in Portland, Oregon if any of you want to share my $150 bottle of tequila.

I know a bunch of guys on here have r&r'd shocks before-- what the hell and I'm doing wrong?!?

Be sure and bungee the jiffy stand forward so that when you do put the bike down, the stand can't fold up on you. Works every time.

editbrain-- I love your idea, and thought of it while laying on the garage floor. Unfortunately, my ceiling is drywalled in. Yeah, I'm fancy like that.