Installed lift adapters for bikes with or w/o R&M Belly Tank

[MarkT]

Recall I posted on this a couple months ago, quite a few folks replied, interested in this adapter.  Did some searching on the web, found nobody makes an adapter compatible with the R&M belly tank.  Now this one is.  Lightweight just over 2#s, you install it and forget it until you need to lift the bike.  Then lift it with any standard dual-arm ATV/bike lift - like a Craftsman or HF or whatever.  The adapter inserts heavy bolts into the 14mm holes on the bottom of the engine casting, while the forward section cantilever-supports the frame so it is snug against the bottom of the crankcase and touches the belly tank.  I made a jig so I can crank these out, all identical, guaranteed to fit.  Painted flat black.  If you want powder coat (black only), add $8. Did a study on my time to make this, and parts cost, came up with what I need for these - looks like $58 plus $14 priority mail is a fair number.  You can PP that to the Horseapple account valkstuff@horseapple.com.  Or call it in on a CC if you prefer.  I'm making the first batch this week and shipping next week when the bolts ordered arrive.  First come first serve. They will not appear on my web site since I still have no web authoring software after Netobjects EOL'd my software, changed their shop several times and then came back online, orphaning my proprietary dB.  I should fix that but I've just been doing other things...

I probably will put a page on ebay or facebook on this.

Oh yeah.  This adapter is compatible with any aftermarket item I know of, except not sure on the Rivco center stand. It's not the lowest thing under the bike (kickstand bracket and some exhaust headers are  a mite lower) so ground clearance is no issue.  It projects about 6" aft of the back of the engine casing - that can be reduced if you need it but keep in mind, the CG of the bike is very close to the back edge of the casing as well - you do want to lift back there so you bracket the CG well, even after removing the front wheel.

Thanks.  Mark

No, the design is not a mistake.  The Belly Tank is assymetrical under neath when you measure it - the 1/2" box tubing section needs to be both on the right side.  The back lift arm is placed right at the end of the 3/4" tubing - so no, you won't bend it even w/o a tank there.  The oil drain is not blocked by the adapter, either.

[WintrSol]

I'm in - money sent via PP.
And, thanks for doing this; it will make servicing a lot easier.

[hubcapsc]

I'm in - money sent via PP.
And, thanks for doing this; it will make servicing a lot easier.

Yeah, I think it looks like it will be more swell than the other "stays on" adapter...
It looks like a "stays on" version of the dangerous "oops-I-left-it-on-by-mistake"
adapter...

-Mike

[BigM]

I agree, looks like a hefty pc. to be lugging around under the bike. I like my E-bay stays on the bike adapter just fine. I never really saw the purpose of a belly tank myself. I usually ride with a group and were ready for a break and have plenty enough opportunity to get gas. And from what I have seen you can lift the bike with the belly tank without a adapter.  Just my 2 cents. But, Glad to see anyone with products and ideas for our Valks as they are getting less accessories.  Hundreds sold and with a lifetime warranty. You can see the 100 perc. feedback also on the link. Many VRCC members. My Choice Link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181170677159?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649

[MarkT]

I'm in - money sent via PP.
And, thanks for doing this; it will make servicing a lot easier.

Yeah, I think it looks like it will be more swell than the other "stays on" adapter...
It looks like a "stays on" version of the dangerous "oops-I-left-it-on-by-mistake"
adapter...

-Mike

Yup.  Been there, done that.  More than once.  No more.  This one is SUPPOSED to stay on, and it CAN'T fall off.

I agree, looks like a hefty pc. to be lugging around under the bike. I like my E-bay stays on the bike adapter just fine. I never really saw the purpose of a belly tank myself. I usually ride with a group and were ready for a break and have plenty enough opportunity to get gas. And from what I have seen you can lift the bike with the belly tank without a adapter.  Just my 2 cents. But, Glad to see anyone with products and ideas for our Valks as they are getting less accessories.

Thx for the 2 cents BigM.  My adapter works for Valks with or without a belly tank.  It's more stable with my adapter lifting a BT equipped bike than w/o my adapter, and no hassle of finding and placing door stops on the lift (suggested by R&M on their web site) - which will drag on the lift arm and fall off as you push it underneath.  This is a one-time purchase and install, then forget it until you lift the bike.  And it only weighs 2 lbs. As for the utility of more range - congrats on never needing it, or wanting to help others.  You would be like the other riders I have rescued on long rides.  There are places out here, out west, where there may be no gas for more than the range of your standard tank. Or maybe only 1 station - which is closed. Both of my Valks and my Wing have significantly more range than a std/tourer.  Which is REALLY convenient to get gas when I want to, not when I HAVE to, as I live a ways from town.  Jade's range is now 252 miles before hitting reserve, at it's average consumption.  On the road, I like to stop every 110 miles.  But I don't HAVE to.  Nice when the only station for a hundred miles is suddenly closed.  I carry a siphon hose and have rescued low-range bikes on road trips several times. Jade is even set up with a rescue petcock - makes it easy to help others. But then we both know the why on your comments.

BTW, I LIKE coming up with mods for our Valks.  Like to tinker, am an enthusiast, and am happiest when I come up with a good idea and get to share it.  Plus, it's not real high tech stuff with dangerous unintended consequences, like some of the new hi-tech car engineering stuff being marketed nowadays.

[..]

Having run out twice in the Wild, Wild West I'd always have spare gas on board in future.

Now I have my REDA 1 gallon container which fits quite neatly in the Tourer saddlebag.

[WintrSol]

It's more stable with my adapter lifting a BT equipped bike than w/o my adapter, and no hassle of finding and placing door stops on the lift (suggested by R&M on their web site) - which will drag on the lift arm and fall off as you push it underneath.

Instead of door stops, I cut a matching V into a 2x4, and added some leather to pad it. Of course, that means the bike has to be up on boards first, to get the lift plus 2x4 under the tank. Your adapter should make the whole process much easier.

[N0tac0p]

pardon my ignorance, but what stops it from rattling?  I see the bolts thread into the nuts going into those round recesses, but other than that it seems to hang via that fulcrum point where the front presses against the case and the rear hangs down?

[jdp]

I've never seen a lift adaptor that looks like that, is that one better than the other kind that bolts to the kick stand bolts?

[jdp]

Looks like if you incorporate the both of them it would be great, alittle protection to the motor too.

[MarkT]

pardon my ignorance, but what stops it from rattling?  I see the bolts thread into the nuts going into those round recesses, but other than that it seems to hang via that fulcrum point where the front presses against the case and the rear hangs down?

I've been running the same frame, only larger, for a decade or so on Deerslayer, which holds my LED underlight array.  Doesn't rattle.  I inserted a shim in the front which puts it under tension.  This one is a tighter fit.  But if it were to rattle, small effort to add a shim under the front edge, using a screwdriver or pry bar, to add tension.  Five minute fix.  In any case it's designed so the rear doesn't hang down.  It's snug up against the back of the engine casing and the tank.  Mine has not needed the shim because when the bolts are inserted, the fit is tight enough that already they have tension.  These are all made from the same jig so they should be very close in dimensions but if a variance happens a shim is the answer.

I've never seen a lift adaptor that looks like that, is that one better than the other kind that bolts to the kick stand bolts?

I don't see any need for that - this one is really easy to install - uses the easy-access holes that have no purpose after the bike left the assembly line.  And they are very stout, reinforced and cast into the engine block. Installs in a couple minutes.  There really is no need for there to be a support arm that reaches up in the swingarm area.  You aren't going to bend the steel box tubing, or rip out those 1/2" diameter SS bolts inserted in the holes cast into the engine block.

[WintrSol]

Looks like if you incorporate the both of them it would be great, alittle protection to the motor too.

This one is designed to fit with the belly tank, which the other one won't. You may use it without the tank, however. No one I know has the other lift adapter, so I can't say if you can use them both.

[WintrSol]

The lift adapter came today! It looks really good - I can hardly wait to pull the bike out of storage and lift it!

Thanks, Mark, this will make lifting a lot easier and safer.

[RDKLL]

I ordered mine and it should be here by the weekend...I am looking forward to being able to lift a little farther forward because of the weight I have remove with the bobber project...with the current adapter I am only able to have about half the width of that adaper on the lift...it is still nose heavy...the picture is with this adapter

andn this it how the bike looks in the air with it...

[MarkT]

You will be able to lift further fwd approx 3 inches based on your pic.  I could have provided more fwd lift if I knew about it.  Small matter to add metal to the front end however.  Don't think you will need to.

[NewValker]

Got mine today Mark, looks good, gonna bolt it on tomorrow.
Craig

[Tailgate Tommy]

I just got mine in the mail this week too. Looks great! Can't wait to bolt it on and do some spring maintenance.

[NewValker]

Finally got the valk up in the air for some much needed cleaning.
Lift adapter works perfect!   
thanks Mark,
Craig