I'm in a pickle, I need quick advice

R

riverman

New Member
I just finished lugging this

<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2191934662_05222a4d2b_b.jpg">

up these stairs.

<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2191149937_b71ed17d0f.jpg">

I don't need to tell you how big of a pain in the ass that was. What I didn't plan on is the bike not fitting into my apartment. I need to strip this down to a frame with an engine in it so I can slide it through my door, and I need to do it monday night. Tomorrow at lunch I need to buy all the tools I will need to accomplish this task, including something(s) (inexpensive preferably) to mount the bike on while I remove the wheels.

a list of tools I will need, and any quick tips that come to mind will be greatly appreciated.

many thanks in advance

-Dan
 
Hmmm... is it just the handlebars that wont fit through the door? (I hope so). If that is the case, just remove the clamp bolts for the handlebars (4 bolts @ 10mm, if I remember right) and turn the unclamped bars 90 degrees so they will fit through the door with the front wheel straight, and just roll it in.

On second thought... the pic looks like maybe you need to get the bike around a corner and it is too long for the hall. In that case, you have a bit of work ahead of you. You need a socket set, some wrenches, and some pliers. And phillips screwdrivers. Metric, of course. 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm are the common sizes for these bikes. There will be a couple bigger ones too. You'll have to remove the seat, and tank, and exhaust. Remove both wheels, and the rear fender, and the bars as above. If that still doesnt fit, then you may have to remove the forks. Shouldn't take you more than 2-3 hours to do all that and move it into your place.

I will suggest you not store the tank indoors - gasoline storage voids your home/renters insurance. And it smells and you get high (not necessarily a bad thing, depending). I would also suggest draining the motor of oil before it goes inside. That can get stinky too. The frame should sit flat on the ground with the exhaust/wheels off, so you could put it on some cardboard for now until you have time to get the stuff you need.

Good luck.
 
Wow. Were you going to haul the Triumph up those stairs? That's whack!
 
You MAY get away with removing the handlebars for width, the front wheel for length and the tank for safety... all done with a basic metric socket set and a screwdriver.

Leaving one wheel on gives you a rolling point to move the bike with.

With a couple of strong friends you could even stand the bike up and wheelie it around... but three strong people are needed for that maneuver.
 
it is geometrically impossible to fit the bike through my door with the front forks and rear tire still attached, so it has to be stripped down bare. since I am sliding it into my apartment, I need to strip off anything I can.

my main concern is what I am going to mount the bike on while I remove the front forks and the tire, I don't want to rest it on a block of wood and have it teeter totter over and squash me.
 
Front: If possible remove the controls from teh handle bars and pull the bars from teh clamps. Disconect brake line and speedo cable from front wheel and then drop the forks out of the triple tree... this will save you from having to de-wire the bucket. You'll want to open the front blinkers and disconnect the wires, pull them trhough the stalk so they remain attached to the harness as well. Tie any loose bits to the triple tree for support.

Rear: Disconect the brake rod, remove the axle and drop the rear wheel out. Remove the fender.

Pull the exhaust from the headers

Now that should do you...

For support you could pick up this up at Canadian Tire along with the socket set, screwdriver and pliers you will need... all said and done ~$250 in tools and lift... all of which you need for basic wrenching anyway.

0091015_450_CC_176b6.jpg
 
Well, for moving it into there (once you have taken off your forks, exhaust and rear tire), my recommendation would be for using a skateboard or a creeper. These things can support alot of weight, and should work on the bike.

my .02 anyway.
 
I just picked up that lift, I can see this thing coming in handy, thanks for the excellent suggestion CanadaDan, with any luck I will have this in my room tonight :)

thanks all around guys :) I will start a thread shortly detailing my progress on this whole mission.
 
How much did the lift run ya?

My suggestion... Put it back together at the BOTTOM of the stairs! ;D ;D
 
it was $10 off at crappy tire, cost $100. the support bars are a little narrow and spaced a bit too far apart, but my god, it is making my life easier. I didn't get as far as I wanted tonight before I ran out of steam, so she spends another night in the hallway.

<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2194458960_33fe2d43ef.jpg">

on a plus note, I have a friend of a friend who will powdercoat my frame for $100 :)
 
I hope your friend is a professional powdercoater. Your frame is the one part you don't want to have to do again ;)

I paid $225 to a professional industrial coater to do my frame, two swingarms, engine mounting brackets, rear brake stay arms x 2 etc. I brought them dirty greasy parts and I got glossy black magic in return for my money.

They did all the prep work, masking etc. and did a good job of it. You can see the work in my XS650 thread.

Good work getting the bike up those stairs - I've helped move bikes down stairs like that, but never up. Looks like you have some understanding neighbors. At least you know nobody's going to steal it!
 
Tintin said:
Good work getting the bike up those stairs - I've helped move bikes down stairs like that, but never up.
Click to expand...

Shoulda pulled a D-day like in Animal House!!!...... or did you?
 
Leave the bars on for control? After removing the tank....wheelie w/friends, front wheel in, turn the bars, push.

Refrigerators are lighter, but MUCH bigger than a bike.

Take the door off, that'll get you 2-3 inches.

If you can remove the trim without damage, you can put it back on later and make it look like nothing happened.

I've moved a lot of appliances.
 
remove the wheels and they will go down a basement staircase with a landing ...2 plp humping(the bike)
 
I love this story so much ;D

Are you going to do this everytime you go for a ride?

Tell us some more about what you are doing next ....please....


...and pix would be good.
 
/|\ I am using this thread http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=2810.0 as the placeholder for the progress I am doing with this bike. it will be my everyday ride and is currently receiving more attention than my girlfriend :) right now I am sorting my ideas out and dinking around with small things (currently redoing the spedo/tach) untill I get my frame back from a powdercoat and can start the real fun stuff :)

as far as my final goal with this bike, it is hard to say really, I have an idea of how it will look in my head but it is hard to put to words. I will be keeping my thread updated as I make progress
 
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