A good tool overcomes stupidity

OK, raise you hand if, when you were a kid, you ignored the instructions on model planes and just put them together. Yes, I see most of you out there with your hands in the air. Well, I was going to remove the power unit as a whole then decided, nah, I'll put it into bits before I try and take it out of the frame. Before I started this, I should have memorized the procedure. So yesterday I removed the primary cover. Now mind you, the wheels are off and it's on a bike/atv lift under the motor. (Note to self, drain all the fluids before putting it up on a lift 'cause you can't get the oil plug out on a lift -- I'll know the next time). So it's not in gear and I can't chock the wheel to hold the engine from turning whilst I try to turn the bolt on the alternator rotor.

Now here is a blatant ad for my Craftsman battery-powered impact wrench: It took it off in a jiffy! I was wondering if it would as it just sat there and chattered for a few seconds then it was in my hand, even without blocking the motor from turning.

I also made the clutch spring tool this AM: Threaded rod (couldn't find 1/2" 20 thread screw) from the hardware store that has just EVERYTHING, the 3" pvc pipe cap that I already had, a fender washer, and 2 1/2" nuts, one to lock the rod on the spring and one to screw it down. The rod is about 5" long, so I could make 7 of these things with the 3' rod I had to buy. If I had to buy everything, it's about $4.50 for the pvc, $7.99 for the rod, 68c. for the nuts, 40c for a washer,so it's about $13 for the whole tool, for those of you who keep track; personally, I don't want to think about what it's going to cost me to get this thing pretty and running; I can beg ignorance and not lie to my wife when she asks!

Once ya get used to the hobby you just stop looking at invoices. I much prefer a sky hook so watch out for tipper overs and clutter of tie downs. Protect frame even with power unit paired down to minimal. Mere tape don't do much i found out.

Tomorrow I'm going to HF and get a hoist so I can get it off the jack. So why DID I buy the jack???????? In my work area, there is a large beam that I can run the hoist over then secure the bike with straps.

You did good kemosabi, now put fresh batteries in your camera and take pitures of what you did and post them as you are supposed to do :wink:

Jean

After CTC and Home Hardware there's still enough left to take the wife out to dinner

Consider how this would be w/o a 'sky' hook, almost magical. Lower down on a box to stabilize the swings or let er swing and just lean back as is spins around to reach the other side.



'38 JD Poppin Johny parts wall storage.

Better call FIMA for the oil slick.....

God there are times when I wished I had a bigger air comp that would actually run real air tools. I hurt my neck trying to undo a rotor nut once. Now I have a 18 volt Ryoby impact & for most lite stuff it's ok. I can't work without good tools any more. Now I need a lift. At my age it's not a want thing anymore it's a need thing. My neighbors know when I'm doing something without the correct tools, my verbage can be strong as I question & insult the Man or Woman in the sky at the top of my lungs!

When I fianlly acquired a nice air compressor I kicked myself for not having made the investment years ago. So many tasks get so much easier. My 1/2" Ingersol Rand impact wrench is amazing. Buttabuttabutta whiiiiiizzzz and those 80 ft lb fasteners just fly off.

It's great that battery technology has advanced to where it is and an electric impact is actually useful today. But nothing beats air.

Now I need a lift. At my age it's not a want thing anymore it's a need thing.

Click to expand...

The last few years there have been a number of motorcycle shops go under in my area. I picked up a Handy air lift for $400. Much the same for a good two stage air compressor. Both are a must for me when it comes to working on my bikes. The Handy lift works for my lawn tractor, as well.

OK, here is how it looks now. The straps actually had enough "pull" in the ratchet so I didn't have to use the block and tackle that I bought. I'm going to add another strap to the front end just because it's HF stuff and I'm just not sure each strap will have 400lb strength. I haven't done anything on the bike yet, the swinging is a bit concerting and it makes it hard to put my bike cover on.



At least now I'll be able to drain the crankcase! Note the green spray can in the lower left corner - industrial strength Off insect repellant. The mosquitoes are vicious. Once the bike is completely dissembled I can take the parts inside where it's clean and I don't have to share the space with my grandchildren making mud.

LOL! That's just too much city boy bodge for me to take w/o glee to tease.
I only use those ratchets straps to lift my SV650 one end at a time to service but I've the seasoned skill to keep it balanced now while working on it after having it essentially flip up side down a few time : )




A real hand come-a-long is more practical and lets you lift or drop by simple working it not the strained hassle of your make do swinging porch chair. I've had those straps fail too as they weather or ratchet gives up. With single lift cable you have more control of the angle bike rises by using two attach straps, one on yokes, bars, or stem, the other on rear spine, or behind shock mounts. I twist or loop up each attach strap so even bike lift or to tip up one end to sit and reach easy.

This is type I've used for most my Norton life. Still mickey mouse tedium.


I snagged this type at farm sale to use on my last 4th rebuild of Trixie Combat. Snick click it reverses direction w/o having to resist bike loads to work the swicth.

How about this one. I used it when I had to break apart the JD2020 to change the throwout bearing. Can you believe I had to break the tractor in half at the trans and then you wouldn't believe how long it took for me to get the trans shaft back into the flywheel, about 8 hours.



Dave
69S

That a big job alrighty, but similar to some bulldozers - most need jacks or front loaders to handle.

When I pulled my gearbox, I used an engine hoist (cherry picker) and a load equalizer. I used nut and bolt through each of the rear upper shock holes for the lift points on the bikes frame. The front fork and tire remained on the bike for a stabilzation point (on the ground), tho I had to strap it on each side to keep it from turning ti the left or right...if it did, the bike would flop to the other side and the whole thing was not stable to work on.

JD

oops... double post.... this is the deleted one..

How easily does the come-along let it down? FWIW, all the manufacturers seem to say this is for horizontal pulling only.