Can you use a Lift on a KZ750?

I bought one of those sears motorcycle lifts on sale last week for $70.

When I went to use it I found that the muffler runs directly underneath the lower part of the bike's frame. Additionally, there is a 'cross' muffler tube that connects the two sides together in between the oil plug and where the oil filter goes!

Has anyone used a lift on a KZ750? If so, how did you do it?

TIA!

Little B
1981 KZ750-H2

Hey LB,
Most owners build an adapter plate using some plywood and pieces of 2X4 to reach up where they can (or have to) in order to get even/safe bearing. I personally think that those type of lifts are too dangerous to use especially if you're anticipating changing the balance by doing something like removing fifty pounds or more from one end or the other. You can minimize the danger if, after jacking the bike up, you can tie it off to something over head.

Good Luck

KZCSI

Thanks KZCSI. I do have ratchet tie downs that came with the lift. I intend to use them whenever using the lift.

I tell ya though, there isn't a lot of room under there for an adapter. Especially if you'd like to change the oil/filter while its on the lift. I'm still working on a solution...

Hey LB,
The ratchet tie downs are better'n nothing but not much, unless you're prepared to bolt the lift to the floor.

Of course you could take it to the next level:



KZCSI

Post edited by: KZCSI, at: 2007/07/23 23:57

Nice! That would certainly keep you from having to bend over! Did you make that yourself or buy a pre-made one?

It seems like it would be hard to work on the bike with that kind of lift because the 'floor' part of it is still the same distance from the bottom of the bike. Isn't the idea of a lift to give you more clearance to access the underside of the bike more easily?

I'm sure I'm missing something here because I really don't know much about working on bikes ...I'm new to all of this.

EDIT: What year KZ is that on the lift?

Post edited by: Little B, at: 2007/07/24 01:41

LB,
That's a lift like your Sears model with the top and bottom horizontal members extended to make the lifting platform 8' long.

"Isn't the idea of a lift to give you more clearance to access the underside of the bike more easily?"

Not exactly, for instance your lift doesn't let you get at the oil filter very well does it? The basic idea is to get the bike up so that you don't have to get down so low to work on it. A lift also supports the bike while you remove the wheels.

In order to work on the wheels with my platform lift I lift the whole bike and tie either the front end or the rear end off to the overhead and lower the lift till the wheel is off the lift.

The bike on the lift is an 81 KZ1300. Here it is after I finally got it finished:
Everyday 1300

Good luck

KZCSI

Post edited by: KZCSI, at: 2007/07/24 09:00

The only thing I use the lift for is to store over the winter to unload the suspension. As for changing the oil I just cut a antifreeze bottle on the side and use it as a drian.
A bike lift is to only get the wheels off the ground. Thats why it only has a lift height of 18 or so inches. It make no sense to put a jack under were you drain the oil out .

Thanks for the enlightenment guys! :lol:

I decided to order one of these adapters to go on my lift. I'll let ya know if it works or not.

Once I have a garage, I'd like to do the mod that you did on yours. For now though, it would just be too big to keep anywhere.

Nice job on that 1300!!!:woohoo:

Little B wrote:

... Especially if you'd like to change the oil/filter while its on the lift. I'm still working on a solution...

I don't have a lift. I don't know what you are dealing with exactly.

But I found doing oil changes on my bike were a lot easier if I kept the bike on the sidestand. It raised up one side more than the centerstand will.

Once you have the drainplug and filter out, you can stand the bike up and rock it to get the rest of the oil out.

Little B wrote:

. . .When I went to use it I found that the muffler runs directly underneath the lower part of the bike's frame. Additionally, there is a 'cross' muffler tube that connects the two sides together in between the oil plug and where the oil filter goes!

Little B wrote:

. . .I'm sure I'm missing something here because I really don't know much about working on bikes ...I'm new to all of this.

Sound like you might have gotten the lift in the idea that it might make oil changes easier. . . Take a peek at this link. . .since you are new . . .

kzrider.com/component/option,com_joomlab...w/catid,2/id,155745/

KaZooCruiser wrote:

Sound like you might have gotten the lift in the idea that it might make oil changes easier. . . Take a peek at this link. . .since you are new . . .

Thanks for the link KaZoo...that info will help when I do my first oil change.

I actually got the lift to make all kinds of maintenance easier. (Bending over and getting on the ground is very hard on my back.) If the bike is higher up, I can sit on a mechanic's stool and do the work without bending over too much. That is the plan anyway! :laugh:

Post edited by: Little B, at: 2007/07/24 12:10

KZCSI, Could you post details of your stand?? How to build it and other pics if you have them?