Topic: Anyone know how to make an economic & simple motorcycle ramp?

[elcid]

I want to make a motorcycle ramp for a truck because all those metal ones are too much money. Have any of you built a simple & economical ramp? Preferabbly something wood as it would be simpler to work with. Photos & plans would be great. Thanx!

[skamania19]

The age old farmer's method...a plank and a prayer!

Seriously, he problem I've found using wood is by the time it's stong enough it's actually heavier than a metal ramp. I was going to build one this summer for my trailer that's a 2x12 with 2x4's glued and screwed on upright on the sides as guides, with metal mesh nailed to the topside of the 2x12 for traction and increased stability. But a trailer ramp doesn't need to be nearly as long as a truck ramp.

[KB02]

The age old farmer's method...a plank and a prayer!

You're really not too far off, there. My entire life I have been loading bikes, snowmobiles, lawn tractors and the like into the back of pickups using wooden planks. Stop by any lumber supply place and pick up a couple of 2x12 planks either 6 or eith feet long. (longer length is better for taller trucks). Then stop by the hardware store an buy some ramp ends. They are simple, little, usually aluminum, sometimes steel pieces that let the ramp sit flush with the top of your truck (or trailer) bed. They bolt on with two or three carriage bolts and you're done.

You might also consider some wood sealant to help protect them. AVOID PRESSURE TREATED WOOD FOR THE PLANKS. PT wood breaks and DOES NOT hold up. As counter intuitive as this sounds, I speak from experience.

And one other note: For extra added strength, if you're moving really heavy stuff up and down these, but a couple of small, metal fence rails (again, available at any decent hardware store). Bolt them to the bottom of the plank. Their angles design helps add lateral strength for less bending when the heavy stuff is on them.

[cb650]

All I use is a 2x8 with a short angle bolted to the end.  The angle hooks into the bumper so it dont fall.  Use a board as long as you can. 




                     Terry

[clarkjh]

use green or air dried, KD lumber can be case hardened and break under load.

James

[cb(r)]

depending on what you think is expensive <harborfreight.com>  has 2 piece 1000 lbs capacity ramp for $50.00.  that is two individual ramps 9" wide.  so if you only need one then see about selling the other to another biker friend.  just a suggestion.  otherwise wood is good.

[dusterdude]

i did what kb did,bought a piece of (i think) 2x8 wood from lowes and a ramp end kit,works just fine.

[byidesign]

If you have a scrap metal /junkyard nearby try picking up a piece of
   aluminum channel  I foung one 6 1/2 ft long 8in wide  X 2in U channel
    1/4 thick for 12 dollars . then bolted ramp ends to it total cost @ 30.oo
       Nothing I've put on it {even a goldwing} makes it even bend...

[Raul CB750K1]

cb(r), can I have a higher resolucion copy of your avatar picture?

Raul

[cb(r)]

cb(r), can I have a higher resolucion copy of your avatar picture?

Raul

you should have mail.

[heffay]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2004704&productId=2004704&langId=-1&catalogId=10111


check this link out for an economical way to just make a piece of wood into a ramp... i have a few versions of these doohickeys and every one of them works wonderfully... now, if only i had a truck to use the ramp to load my bikes into 

[elcid]

sweet thanx for the link!

[dusterdude]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2004704&productId=2004704&langId=-1&catalogId=10111


check this link out for an economical way to just make a piece of wood into a ramp... i have a few versions of these doohickeys and every one of them works wonderfully... now, if only i had a truck to use the ramp to load my bikes into

yep,thats what i did,bought my ramp things at lowes.

[heffay]

a word of advice about the link i sent... in the pic you can see that the metal goes up on the bed of the truck then under the bottom of the ramp only.  that is not so good.  get the ones that have metal on both the top and bottom side of the plank (i dont mean each end of the wood either) simply put, they are infinitely stronger.

[Bodain]

I want to make a motorcycle ramp for a truck because all those metal ones are too much money. Have any of you built a simple & economical ramp? Preferabbly something wood as it would be simpler to work with. Photos & plans would be great. Thanx!

Hee hee.. My wife and I worked on that many years ago. We produced two studly boys.
No ramps needed.

[hcritz]

Hey Elcid...
Wish you were closer...I have some I'd give you...
They are about 18" wide Metal...they are actually side pieces of heavy duty shelfing from an old Radio Shack store..
They work fine...I just don't use them anymore.
Might find something like that around your area.
ED

[elcid]

I am definitely one with a sense of humor but I honestly don't get the above

[dusterdude]

a word of advice about the link i sent... in the pic you can see that the metal goes up on the bed of the truck then under the bottom of the ramp only.  that is not so good.  get the ones that have metal on both the top and bottom side of the plank (i dont mean each end of the wood either) simply put, they are infinitely stronger.

i think the ones i bought have a lip underneath that goes under the tailgate.

[volthause]

I am definitely one with a sense of humor but I honestly don't get the above

he doesn't need ramps because he and his wife procreated, and now they have two strapping young men to lift motorcycles into the truck.

[elcid]

got it...

[heffay]

a word of advice about the link i sent... in the pic you can see that the metal goes up on the bed of the truck then under the bottom of the ramp only.  that is not so good.  get the ones that have metal on both the top and bottom side of the plank (i dont mean each end of the wood either) simply put, they are infinitely stronger.

i think the ones i bought have a lip underneath that goes under the tailgate.

not exactly what i meant duster... although, you might know that.  i was referring to the metal encasing the plank as opposed to encasing the tailgate... i would not want it to go under the tailgate as it would scratch the outside of the bed!

[kaceyf2]

mY misses puts on her corset so her breasts are pushed up high and together..( photos by request only) she then lies on her belly face down behind the truck, I then ride my cb750 over her back and at the very last minuite, ( and I mean "VERY" last minuite) she sort of tenses her ample chest muscles, thus, her body forms the perfect ramp, and I just ride on up into the back of said truck.
This also doubles neatly as a great ice-breaker and nifty little party trick. It also helps me look like a stud, because people tend to think (when they see her do this) "my god she's strong, i would not like to dis--please HER, "  and by default, think I must be a superstud TO BE pleasing her!!
Worth the hours of agony practising this stunt and all the broken bones from when we didn't have it quite right.
ha ha.