Topic: Indoor Storage/Rebuild

[ASCSurveyor]

So I've decided that I'm sick of looking at my CB under the cover out in the parking lot, and since the SV is down (with no clue of what's wrong with it), I've taken the most rational course of action, and decided to move the CB inside.

I live in an apartment, on the 2nd floor.  Staircase is strait up, no turns. 

Obviously I'll want to remove all the fluids, and anything else that might be considered "hazerdous".  Then probably bring it up piece by piece, since I'm guessing the entire bike will be just too heavy to push up the stairs, even with a ramp.

Has anyone ever done this before?  I have no schedule for getting the bike done, but just hate seeing it sit out there in the elements.  Figure I can begin replacing things here and there.  Plus, it'll make a great centerpiece in my sh-thole apartment.   

[seaweb11]

You may get it up in pieces, but wouldn't you be wanting to bring it back out in one?

Just make sure the exit strategy is in place

[mkramer1121]

got a balcony or fire escape?  build a pulley and hoist er up!

[Mach-5(50)]

maybe a come-a-long if the cable is long enough to get it up, or you can use a pulley system to let it down slowly in one piece maybe.

[HavocTurbo]

I would lay down some plywood on the stairs nad get a couple of buddies to help push it up. Then use the brakes to help get it down.

Then again I loaded mine into a truck with no ramps... so I'm kinda stupid.

[DaytonGuy]

I took mine apart piece by piece and took it into the basement.  I'll reassemble outside int he spring.  It should take more than a couple weekends to get it back together.....I hope.

[CaféElite]

I agree w/ the comment about getting your buddies to help you push it up. The only reasonable exit plan in my opinion would be to ride that bad girl down the stairs. 

[babyfood1217]

Well, when I shoehorned my 750 into my back porch at my old house ( http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30469 ), I had to go up a 1/3 flight of rotting wooden steps, and manage a 90 degree turn in a space no larger than my little toe.  I ended up using everything I could find as a ramp (wood planks ontop of a ladder, a hollow steel door, another rotten wood plank), but when all was said and done, having a buddy or two made it the bees' knees.  Exit strategy?  Animal House style (or a couple friends with ropes and you at the brakes.  G'luck.  Take pics (or video )

-Chris

[luder]

Dude that sounds like work...later luder

[547]

Just the other day I took my cb450 through a few inches of snow, up an old wooden ironing board I found in my basement, then into my kitchen to thaw out. After a night of warming up, it only took about three hours to strip it to the frame to carry it all into my basement (that includes making dinner for the kids). I left the forks, shocks, and swing arm on so it was still kind of heavy to carry by myself. Your best bet I would say is to disassemble to get it up the stairs and again to get it down.
It's a little work but much safer than the alternative.

[Steve_K]

I have moved several bikes up and down stairs.  Takes 3 guys,  Tie a rope around the forks and give to the strongest guy and the other two push and guide the bike up.   Provide beer and you are done.
Steve_K

[XN]

3-4 guys roll it on up... Friend of mine built his harley in his basement. Had everything on but the bars and controls. Tied a rope around the forks 2 guys in front 2 in back and she was out in no time...

[Jinxracing]

One other option you probably don't want to consider...

I tried like hell to find footage of D-Day riding up the stairs in Animal House, but no luck.

[andy750]

If you remove the engine and handlebars first it will make it much easier.

good luck
Andy

[Tom in Newcastle......Ontario]

I re-built my 550 in the basement,left the motor in the garage, after painting, cleaning and assembling,attached a narrower set of bars,got my son to help push and up the stairs no problem,we are both around 175 lbs

[ASCSurveyor]

Sorry I haven't gotten back to this... Stupid SV is taking up all my time.   

Anyway, If I get it down to the motor and frame, is it possible to have 2 people carry it up 15 steps?  It's a strait staircase w/ no turns.  Had someone on our SV site say the motor weighs 180lbs.  Frame probably weighs 100 or so, no?  I'm guessing here... I have no clue.

[HavocTurbo]

Motor is close to that weight...

Frame probably weight 40-50lbs or so.... in the 70's weight wasn't an issue I guess.

I still vote for the friends pushing upstairs idea.

[ASCSurveyor]

My issue with pushing it up, is that I'm thinking our management wouldn't be too keen on me having a bike in my apartment, regardless of if it's a "running" bike or not.  I know that I could fight it through technicallities, but I'd rather not fight it period.

Normally, this wouldn't be an issue.  Neighbors ask me what I'm doing, I say "mind yer business, that's what", and all is well.  However, the lady that lives below me is an assistant manager at the complex.  So if I just bring it up in pieces, she might not notice (she's a little slow in the head, and probably wouldn't put all the pieces together).

Rolling the bike up the stairs would be quite the undertaking, regardless of how quick it would be done.  And with my luck the way it is lately, as soon as I moved the bike towards the stairs, she'd step out for a smoke.

[HavocTurbo]

You could always claim it as art....

Or say you don't want it stolen??

I'd do it at 2am... less chance that way of her noticing.

[papp101]

I took the engine out of my CB500 outside in about an hour. Easy as pie. Had a buddy help me get it out of the frame,then we rolled the frame down the steps - I almost could have done that myself.

I'd say take off the tank, seat and engine and roll the baby up.

Then set the engine on a 2x4 rug or STURDY blanket and lift it up with yourself and another. easy to carry like that in my experience.

[Hush]

Sounds like a plan, remove engine then just push it up the stairs, without the donk it won't be a problem about as much difficulty as a pushbike.
Get a mate to help with the motor, as papp101 said use an old tarp or rug (that way no one in the complex will know what you have in there).
I'd say getting the handlebars through the doors will be your biggest problem so be prepared to loosen or remove them (replace with short bit of old pipe or broom handle for steering).
Getting it down will be a piece of cake bro, take one ramp, place on balcony, start bike at end of hallway and apply full throttle............... I've seen Evil Kanevil do it heaps of times.

[bradweingartner]

IMO, removing the engine isn't worth the trouble. If she'd notice you pushing it up the steps with the motor, she'll notice it without!!

Depending on how wide your stairs are, four reasonably normal guys could nearly carry it up the stairs. Only real hassle is those damn bars are always just a touch wider than the door. I walk mine up 3 steps every year myself. I can lift the back of the motorcycle up myself and I'm a 150lbs pipsqeak.

I say just go for it. 3-4 friends and some liquid strength and that #$%* is done in 5 min.

[Sporkfly]

Just be really careful if you bring it down the stairs in one piece. I decided I'd bring mine down into the basement in one piece. Didn't really think anything of the fact that neither brake worked and the door at the bottom of the stairs was closed. It took me about 1 second to reconsider those facts as the bike and I sped down the stairs and it pinned me against the door about 2 inches away from my manhood.

I straight up got lucky whilst being stupid. Be safe.

[Alan F.]

I took mine apart piece by piece and took it into the basement.  I'll reassemble outside int he spring

+1   stripped it to the frame outside and carried it downstairs, my brother in-law helped get the engine/frame assembly down later on.