Hi, I have just bought a 1991 900ss in a bit of a state (stored and not started in 14 years). It is going to be my winter project - hopefully hitting the road in April 2016 (for my 50th). I may be asking lots of questions in the coming months! I want to buy a bike lift from these guys in Leeds - Motorbike Lift Stand, Motorcycle Jack & Paddock Stand Specialists | 1Jac - I have been in touch with Gary from 1jac and they have not made a kit for the old model 900ss yet. He is happy to do this, but needs a bike to measure from. As mine is a non runner, are there any members in leeds, or close to, who would be willing to pop over to 1jac HQ so they can take measurements and machine a kit? Regards Phil
A 91 900 ss, that's my next target, any pics?? I would but too far away I'm afraid. Good luck with it
First question perhaps should be "do I need a bike lift like this" If you are doing a winter project, I assume you will be stripping the bike? The easiest route is lifting the bike off the engine and swingarm.. I think a traditional table lift would be the way to go. Here's mine just about to be reassembled and to be honest, didn't feel the need for a lift. Good luck with the project and make sure you post progress here!
hi, thx for the messages. I don't have the bike back home yet - waiting on couriers. Willpost pictures when I get it. I wanted this sort of lift so I can easily move bike in garage, as I have my daily commuter in there Honda NC700) as well as a lawn mower and my tool bench etc.
It helps to have a lift but it's not essential. I have built several 748's from strip down to bare frame and a complete rebuild and back up again and all have been done using the workshop floor. I do have a bench lift now but for smaller jobs I still prefer to just work with the bike on the ground. If you get a lift it's best to get a 2.2 Metre one as it will then take front and rear paddock stands due to the extra length. They are easy enough to store but they are long, so make sure you have somewhere long enough and high enough to utilise a bench\platform lift properly if you decide to go in that direction.
Thx for the advice, I am thinking this type of lift only raises the bike a few inches, so still working mostly on the floor. It does easily get it off the wheels, easier to do any jobs on brakes etc. I'm thinking of laying rubber flooring down in the garage (like they use in horse stables). Will make it more comfortable on the floor. Bit worried about making it too slippery though.
No it raises the bike a lot more than a few inches. My lift has two set heights for which you use a locking bar for safety to stop the lift slowly dropping if pressure drops in the lift jack. The first height is quite low but ideal for work like easing out wheels\brakes etc. the second height raises the bike to approximately low to middle eye level for the upper part of the engine, engine work or servicing is then a lot easier especially oil\water draining or filter removal. For the money they now cost it is a decent investment. Several people I know have this model. 1000lb Hydraulic Bike Motorcycle motorbike Workshop Lift Bench workbench XL Red | eBay The price has recently gone down by £30 incidentally. Free post and packing. You can see the sizes and working heights etc. if you look down the page.
Got the bike home yesterday, and took fairing off to inspect. The battery acid did not improve the look. Going to start a new thread documenting the restoration (this will be SLOW). Does anyone know what the plastic triangle is to the left of the tax disc? says something about 'needing a carb heater kit' in the 1998 service sheet. is that it? Also - anyone have a manual in pdf form? i have the Haynes tear down, but I want some simpler diagrams pointing out where everything is. Off to buy some bolt extractors! I've rounded off several Allen bolts already - they appear to be made of chocolate! Still need a bike lift - I am still keen on this type, so if anyone is around Leeds any time soon, please let me know. Cheers Phil
Hi Phil, That looks something like my restoration 750 engine. Get loads of Dblock penetrating fluid and soak everything for a couple of weeks, I've only have two bolts that have not played ball with this approach. top tip, put a allen socket in first and give it a sharp tape or two with a hammer, that will usually break any corrosion in the threads. The black triangular piece is a catch tank for the carb vent pipes. The carb heaters are something where opinion is divided. I do have them on my 900, but you will need modified carb float bowls, and various odds and sods including a tap to the oil cooler to connect it up. Have fun and keep us updated Martin
I have one of these, its great. I have a single garage which has three bikes plus all the other crap that we collect ! KD Benches | Motorcycle lift and bench manufacturers
Wolfram, two questions. 1) Is your name metal related, I have worked at a few mines that produce it (Tungsten) 2) How did you go about getting a project bike, id like a Monster for next Winter
Hi Phil he's done one for me a while ago (however mines got the 1000ss swingarm, I also had to machine the pins) I'll put a pic up.
Hi Wolfram, I have used two sccissor type sawhorses I bought long time ago in a general hardware store. they fit perfectly in the frame and give me sufficient height and clearance to be able to dissasemble forks, swing arm and motor with very little effort here is a bad picture of it, but if you are intrested I can take better pictures and send them to you
Thanks for the pictures, nice idea. However, I have another bike and want to buy this lift with both adaptors, so i can use it to lift and move either bike when 'whole'. Cheers
1) Yeah, name is old fashioned form of tungsten. Fascinating element - very tough! check out this book, a great read! Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood: Amazon.co.uk: Oliver Sacks: 9780330523660: Books 2) I bought it from eBay. It was 200 plus miles away, so I didn't go and look. If I had, I would not have won it, as it was in much worse condition than in the pictures, and there was no mention of the acid damage in the description or the conversation I had with seller. But I have it, it turns over, and you have to be ready for anything when you buy something like this. In the end I went over my 'limit'. All the advice is to buy a runner with an MOT, this is probably good advice, as I have sheared off and wrung out about 30% of the fasteners so far! So - its probably best to assume it will not be a cheap option; buy for the journey and the story. I expect the finished bike will have cost more than it would be worth to sell. I intend to keep it for a long time. I also intend to buy another project, so I can use the tools and skills acquired. That one may be a more exotic beast. (cue loads of posts about the basket case 900ss bought down the pub for a fiver) (cue loads of posts about how a 900ss was renovated to concourse condition on the budget of a fiver)
Thanks Martin, It's all part of the learning curve! I am obviously being impatient and using too little finesse at the moment.
