TOPIC:

swest wrote: Try putting the front wheel on a piece of 5/8 or 3/4 plywood. Holding the handle bar and the rear grab bar with your foot pushing down on the center stand arm, pull back while lifting the back end. With the front wheel raised, it should be easier to do. After a while you won't have to cheat. The fork locks are worthless. Get yourself a good lock and chain or a Kriptonite lock. They even have one for the drilled disks. Back in the 70's I forgot I had it locked. Me and my little brother went down NOW.
Steve

Another attempt, another fail. Used a 2x6 and a 2x4, got the front tire on them, then one arm on the handle, one on the grab bar, and then the bike very nearly toppled over. A second try had it (I'm guessing) at about 50% lift until my right shoulder couldn't take the strain anymore. At this point using a bike jack stand is easier.

Do you have a smaller than stock tire on the back?
Steve

swest wrote: Do you have a smaller than stock tire on the back?
Steve

It's 130-90-16, which is, well, I haven't any idea if it's undersized or not lol.

That's pretty big. I wonder if 16" is stock for that bike.
Steve

swest wrote: That's pretty big. I wonder if 16" is stock for that bike.
Steve

My manual came in today, doesn't mention the stock tires' size in the specs, which surprised me, but I did find a picture of the rear half and I could make out 130-90 on the tire, but not the rim size. My gut tells me it's the stock size.

If you don't mind my asking, what do you weigh?
Steve

swest wrote: If you don't mind my asking, what do you weigh?
Steve

I knew you were going to ask lol, 200 pounds, roughly.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't know how the bike is going to respond to the forces I'm applying to it, so I'm probably being a little lighter on it than is required. On the other hand, the previous owner and I together tried lifting the rear end of the bike together trying the stand on the trailer to take it home, and we couldn't do it together.

Damn, you should be able to throw that puppy across the room.
Steve

swest wrote: Damn, you should be able to throw that puppy across the room.
Steve

My right shoulder isn't doing me any favors either, I pulled some tendons or something about 10 years back while driving taking a corner, and then I strained it again using a sledgehammer the same week.

If I had a second set of hands to just hold the bike in place for me I could go all out on it and it'd probably go. I'll try again tomorrow.

SmokyOwl wrote:

swest wrote: That's pretty big. I wonder if 16" is stock for that bike.
Steve

My manual came in today, doesn't mention the stock tires' size in the specs, which surprised me, but I did find a picture of the rear half and I could make out 130-90 on the tire, but not the rim size. My gut tells me it's the stock size.

Please add the exact model of your bike to your signature line. In 1982 Kawasaki made a KZ1100 - Shaft (KZ1100-A2); a KZ1100-GpZ-B2; and a KZ1100-D1 Spectre (also shaft drive). They don't all use the same tire sizes or other parts. Thanks, Ed

SmokyOwl wrote:

swest wrote: Damn, you should be able to throw that puppy across the room.
Steve

My right shoulder isn't doing me any favors either, I pulled some tendons or something about 10 years back while driving taking a corner, and then I strained it again using a sledgehammer the same week.

If I had a second set of hands to just hold the bike in place for me I could go all out on it and it'd probably go. I'll try again tomorrow.

I know how that is. I broke my right rotator in the wreck in 86. I have 70% motion in my right arm. Didn't stop me though. I could still sink a 16d in one swat. We learn to live with it.
Yes, put up the bikes info.
Steve