Loading a bike into a pickup (got me a new toy)

I bought a 1976 KZ 900 on Ebay yesterday and have to go pick it up Sunday morning. I have a pretty messed up back and am wondering how to load the thing in the truck.

A local shop has a ramp that folds for sale for $85 but it only is rated for 400 lbs. A friend is going with me and he has an 8 foot I-beam that is wide enough for the bike to roll on. Thought the lips on I-beam might keep us from rolling the thing off the side. Just not sure how heavy the beam is yet.

Can't upload pics of the bike but here's a link to an auction when the guy I bought it from bought it a month or so ago.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...em&item=320387477103

I paid $2k. Hope I did ok.

OK, I'm more of a stock type of guy... but if that bike runs like it looks you are in for many, many seasons of memory making rides.

Congrats for a really nice buy! :woohoo:

Best of success.
Bill

PS
It's a big machine... act like everyone out there is out to get you... and we'll still be talking bikes this time next season.
Bill

This is the one I have. It works like a charm. It is the first one on the page. Nice bike by the way.


www.discountramps.com/folding_motorcycle_ramp.htm

Never liked ramps for loading heavy bikes onto pickup trucks. One old trick was to back the bed of the truck into a ditch or low spot and push the bike on with the tailgate down.Good luck & welcome to KZR.

Kawickrice wrote:

This is the one I have. It works like a charm. It is the first one on the page. Nice bike by the way.


www.discountramps.com/folding_motorcycle_ramp.htm

I saw that yesterday online. My problem is I don't have time to wait for it to be shipped. Have to leave tomorrow around noon.

I also was thinking about the hill/ditch idea. There may be a ditch, but does Iowa have hills? LOL

That's a cool funky looking bike. If all else fails bring along a couple of regular automotive ramp/stands (like you would use for changing oil). They'll at least bring the bike up a bit and if you can find a hill but you still have a gap you can use the ramp.

Jack wrote:

Never liked ramps for loading heavy bikes onto pickup trucks. One old trick was to back the bed of the truck into a ditch or low spot and push the bike on with the tailgate down.Good luck & welcome to KZR.

I also prefer a hill or even a tall curb,or even a steep driveway (which I have) and just roll it on using a short board. I can load and unload without any assistance.

Any industrial buildings around that might let you use their loading dock?

2x8 and some cinder blocks works good for loading into a van anyway

PLUMMEN wrote:

2x8 and some cinder blocks works good for loading into a van anyway

I still have a 2x6 ramp I was using before I bought my fold up ramp. 2x8 is a little more sturdy than 2x6. Here is an idea. Why don't you just ride her home if you have a driver for your truck?

Kawickrice wrote:

PLUMMEN wrote:

2x8 and some cinder blocks works good for loading into a van anyway

I still have a 2x6 ramp I was using before I bought my fold up ramp. 2x8 is a little more sturdy than 2x6. Here is an idea. Why don't you just ride her home if you have a driver for your truck?

I was thinking about this too. Its a long ride, 700 miles, but I was thinking maybe I could ride until I saw a good place to load. I'll probably go get me a 2x8 today and take it along. I'm gonna guess a 2x8 is more easily toted around than an 8 foot I-beam.

Bang some strips of 2 X 1/4 (or simular) into the side of the 2X8 to act as edges to keep the bike on the ramp.