Author Topic: Anyone have this problem (Read 3100 times)

robdrobd · « **on:** January 14, 2010, 06:12:02 PM »

I can probably finish my bike within the month. Problem....its in the basement and its not a walk out. I live in Syracuse so its about 25 degrees outside every day. Any ideas? Do you think I could leave the front end off and pull it up the stairs with a few guys helping? I am going crazy knowing that I might have to stop working on it so I will be able to get it out of the basement in the spring.

Gordon · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:15:44 PM »

As long as it will fit up the stairs and out the door, I don't see why you couldn't just roll it up the stairs on some plywood with the help of a few friends.

oldhondarider · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:18:27 PM »

Robdrobd.... i've have your problem... my shop is in the basement... I dont have a switch backs though... it's just a straight shot out..

Down to harbor freight for a couple of ramps.. the 6" wide ones that are 6' long... bolt them both together and you have a 12' ramp that will span the stair treads..

one guy pushes the other walks beside it steering.

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:21:16 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on January 14, 2010, 06:15:44 PM

As long as it will fit up the stairs and out the door, I don't see why you couldn't just roll it up the stairs on some plywood with the help of a few friends.

Hell, fire it up and drive it up the plywood.

I sort of have the same problem. Same basement situation for me, but I wasn't planing on assembling the bike down there. But I do want to assemble the engine, and that sucker is pretty heavy.

jkot55 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:25:59 PM »

Can't say as I have ever had that predicament but maybe you could use a come-along to pull it up the stairs while a couple guys steady it. You might need to do this in stages and therefore have a way to hold it while you reset the come-along. Just a thought. I do not know how your basement or stairs are configured but if you know someone who is into 4X4ing maybe they have a winch and can position their vehicle to winch it out. Either way you would need a ramp on the stairs to roll it. If clearing the handlebars is a problem and you leave the front-end off you would have to use a support with casters under the front part of the engine.

Best I can do but hope it at least gets you thinking. Good luck.

bender01 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:29:28 PM »

Leave the oil out of the forks til you remove it. Its a bulkhead your trying to get it out of? I know a 550 that came out last year of an 1803 basement with about a 7ft ceiling. I heard that wouldnt happen again.

Gordon · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:30:05 PM »

Get a couple of beefy guys at the top of the stairs with ropes tied to the forks. They pull while you hold the bike upright and keep the wheel straight.

I do really like the idea of riding it up the stairs, though.

It'll make for a nice story so you can tell your grandchildren about how you got that huge scar.

robdrobd · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:30:23 PM »

I carried the engine down myself, it was heavy! I have a 90 landing at the bottom of my basement stairs, and I think that will be the problem. I like the idea of just pushing it up the stairs on ramps or plywood. Maybe a piece big enough to cover all of the stairs right above the landing for 4 stairs or so. Then once I get it straightened out I can use thinner pieces?

gmonkey · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2010, 08:09:57 PM »

+1 for riding it up. Be sure to start from the other side of the basement and see how much air you can catch at the end of that ramp.

I've got my engine and some other parts in the basement, rolling frame in the shed. I'd have the whole thing down there but the stairs take a 90 degree turn outside the basement door. I'm considering taking the wheels off and putting the frame in the basement as well. Maybe even mounting the engine in it again, seems like it'd be easier to work on it that way.

BLUE71TURBO · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2010, 08:25:21 PM »

Can anybody say " ANIMAL HOUSE " !!

Steve F · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2010, 08:27:11 PM »

I remember trying to get my bike out of the basement, and it was just a rolling chassis, everything there EXCEPT THE ENGINE AND FUEL TANK. It took myself and two of my sons all we had to get it up the stairs...problem was there was a landing where we had to make a 180 turn to finish the rest of the stairway. THAT BIKE WAS HEAVY!!!!!
You'll always need more help than you think. Invite a few friends over, lure them with a promise of beer. Move the bike first, THEN beer.

Steve F

bucky katt · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2010, 09:41:14 PM »

Quote from: BLUE71TURBO on January 14, 2010, 08:25:21 PM

Can anybody say " ANIMAL HOUSE " !!

i was just thinking the same thing and picturing Bruce McGill riding a motorcycle up those stairs.

robdrobd · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2010, 05:13:51 AM »

Taking the engine back out is not an option. Maybe take the whole front end off and have two guys pull it up the stairs while a third guy pushes and holds it from the back? Maybe I can get the masonry bit out and cut a door in the wall

333 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:01:46 AM »

Can you say Jackhammer?

MCRider · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:09:13 AM »

Rent a comealong, assuming you have something at the top of the stairs to tie to.

Take it a step at a time. Block off the rear wheel. It'll be out in no time.

Or a block and tackle affair. Key is to have plenty of hands but not for effort, just to steady and guide it. Let a machine do the work.

http://www.cvfsupplycompany.com/hanpowpulcom.html

At those prices you could just buy one. Winch it up a step, block it off, reset, do again.
Depending on how long the cable is on the come along, you may only reset once or twice or not at all. Just take it slow. You could screw some big eye bolts into the wall or ceiling at the top of the stairs, or if its a straight run to the outside, tie it off to a post or a car bumper. Put some wood down for the cable to drag on.

Riding it up could go wrong in oh so many ways.

Don R · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:15:27 AM »

We have put in boilers and chillers by digging a hole outside and cutting the wall out.

Seriously though, pictures would help but get a few buddies and follow the rules of moving anything, beer after, not before. A neighbor did an antique harley in his deep cellar but he had a straight shot up the stairs. I think having both wheels on would be an asset.

wardenerd · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:23:38 AM »

I tried to load my bike back in college on a small truck by jumping from a small bank of dirt into the bed of the truck. Th e bike survived and I ended up sitting on the ground in front of the truck with my head "resting "on the bumper. I have not gotten much smarter so I like the idea of riding it up the stairs. I once rode an RD250 up the library steps of my University. This was before Animal House and I can still see security running after me in my mirror.

Gnat · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:24:01 AM »

MötleyRöx · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:29:16 AM »

What's more important, the house or the bike?
Burn the house when its time then rent a small crane. Problem solved.
Won't you need a new project after the bike is finished, anyway?

domer · « **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:41:05 AM »

not sure how your house is configured, but if you have a straight shot out your front door you could always call AAA. they have done some strange #$%* for me in the past

just make sure to tip the guy...

754 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:46:32 AM »

Remove mirrors, and drag bars would help..

I should email my old roomie in Oz, & ask about how he got his 59 Harley chopper outa the 4th floor of an apartment...

The last part was the wurst as the Super was screaming at him as he took it out.. he did not live there long after that..

at least it was downhill..

if you must ride up , play the William Tell overture...like in the movie..

robdrobd · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:59:11 AM »

Here is a diagram of the situation.

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #22 on:** January 15, 2010, 09:05:05 AM »

I'd start with the beer fridge. If you spend enough time there, I'm sure an idea will come to you.

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #23 on:** January 15, 2010, 09:13:56 AM »

Remove the rear fender, exhaust, footpegs, tank, and use narrow handlebars........ramps and winch with helpers..........then the beer!

robdrobd · « **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2010, 09:18:46 AM »

Do you think I can get it around the corner? Its about a 4x4 landing. I think a constant supply of beer may make the whole process go smoother.

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Author Topic: Anyone have this problem (Read 3100 times)

MötleyRöx