California bike lift

[jeffrey1212]

I have just tried to lift my 1400 california with my bike lift I got a few inches of the ground and it tipped to the rear has any one had the same experience and worked out a way around this problem looking forward to your replies
Jeff     

[radguzzi]

What type of lift do you have...?

I have not tried to lift a 1400 however, the Handy Lift raises the Electra Glide with no issues.

I wonder if the Guzzi is longer than the HD...?  And perhaps more rear weight biased...?

Best,
Rob

[stevet]

I'm not there to see your setup, but how about straps from the lower or upper triple clamps down to the lift (if it's a platform lift), like I do here with my homemade setup.  I use a wheel chock on a plywood platform, straps down to eye bolts at the front corners of the lift for stability, with my jack stand lifting from the rear of the frame where a centerstand would be mounted.

If you are using some sort of scissor jack lift under the frame, maybe something like what I built might help you.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=82965.0

Sounds like your bike is rear-heavy.  Do you have luggage you could remove to help the center of gravity move forward?

There have been lots of stock motorcycles that tip to the rear wheel while on their centerstands.  BMW models, for example.

Steve.

[kirb]

Please don't say it's a harbor freight lift.

Buy a good lift and this stuff doesn't happen.

[jeffrey1212]

This is the type of lift I have

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Please don't say it's a harbor freight lift.

Buy a good lift and this stuff doesn't happen.

I have three HF lifts in the shop and have had zero problems. But then, I haven't needed to lift anything as heavy as a Porky 1400. 

[radguzzi]

This is the type of lift I have

Ahh, well that explains that then...

Put a wood spacer under the rear or tranny area.   

rad...