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Dolly anyoane?

Started by Quince, Wed 19, Mar 2025, 20:23:34

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Quince

With my crashed concrete driveway and a half packed garage I am looking at an easy way to turn the 700+ lb bike around 180 degrees so I don't have to fight wheels sinking in the gravel. Did anyone use one of this:

https://binahbeauty.com/products/zhinj23016671365-3a8d-4f94-a3c2-0cd89c0240f8?fbclid=IwY2xjawJINfRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdjf_2Z5DXpYlh1iWDHRvJLJJViwxKn5F6SZ4ERzCwDTx-rGiccQz0WAig_aem_ZxM4iJ4S4dlcZ9tzOYOHwA

or some other brand you are happy with? The one above is about $80 and they claim 1400 or 1600 lb capacity.
Not sure lifting weights, doing squats and push-ups will help me much at my age.
Thank you everyone.

John Schmidt

If they made one for a trike I'd buy one. I could probably make one by buying three and adding the extra channels in back for the rear wheels. Sure would make it easier to move the three-wheeler around in the garage already occupied by two SUV's.

WintrSol

#2
That may work if you put larger wheels on it, or improve the surface. Those little wheels may not move on gravel or rough concrete. Note the ad says 'small imperfections'. Going from 3" to 5" casters would help with that.
98 Honda Valkyrie GL1500CT Tourer
Photo of my FIL Jack, in honor of his WWII service

Quince

Quote from: WintrSol on Wed 19, Mar 2025, 22:10:14
That may work if you put larger wheels on it, or improve the surface. Those little wheels may not move on gravel or rough concrete. Note the ad says 'small imperfections'. Going from 3" to 5" casters would help with that.

Plan is to use it in the garage to turn it around in a tight space.

Jess from VA

#4
That looks like a very nice big bike dolly.  

The short video shows him easily riding right on, but I wonder if the thing wants to roll away from you getting on (or off).  That could be troublesome.  I didn't see a brake function.

In the meantime, this short legger has found that pushing my bikes around from the seat is noticeably easier with 42lbs in the tires than 30 something.  

My bikes can only nose in my bike shed, and getting out is a small workout with short lock-to-lock 3-point turns from the seat (and trying to avoid knocking my mirrors off on the doorway doing it).  

Quince

Quote from: Jess from VA on Thu 20, Mar 2025, 04:23:19
That looks like a very nice big bike dolly.  

The short video shows him easily riding right on, but I wonder if the thing wants to roll away from you getting on (or off).  That could be troublesome.  I didn't see a brake function.

In the meantime, this short legger has found that pushing my bikes around from the seat is noticeably easier with 42lbs in the tires than 30 something.  

My bikes can only nose in my bike shed, and getting out is a small workout with short lock-to-lock 3-point turns from the seat (and trying to avoid knocking my mirrors off on the doorway doing it).  

I am sure caster wheels have an individual brake/lock. One of my concerns is that caster's centers are offset from the pivot point and platform can wobble even with the casters locked and may feel like an earthquake when you drive on it. My other concern is rigidity of the "wings" under which the casters are mounted to. I do not see any stiffening gussets and they are reaching pretty far out. Mind you, sometimes allowing system to flex can prevents the development of fatigue stressed points. Anyhow, this is why I was hoping that somebody tried and learned if this are feasible reliable systems for heavy bikes. Waiting for an answer regarding shipping from them and I'll probably buy one and if needed, modify it.

da prez

  Quince , Harbor Freight has a decent one. O do not know of drive on capabilities though.

                                                da prez

Pluggy

A motorcycle item from an unknown source that specializes in women's clothing?  That raises a little caution flag.  And, the large Valkyrie front tire won't fit into many (or most) of those wheel chocks.  

If anyone orders and gets one, please give us a report.

HayHauler

One of the pics has a newer Goldwing in it.  That tells me that they can handle the weight of the Valkyrie.  I don't have one, but that is my $.01875.

Hay  8)
Jimmyt
VRCC# 28963

Pluggy

Quote from: HayHauler on Thu 20, Mar 2025, 08:02:43
One of the pics has a newer Goldwing in it.  That tells me that they can handle the weight of the Valkyrie.  I don't have one, but that is my $.01875.

Hay  8)
Jimmyt

Hello, Jimmy.

I look forward to hearing from a Valkyrie owner who gets one.  The price + free delivery makes me skeptical.  (I'm old enough to remember those X-ray glasses sold from the back pages of comic books.) 

Quince

Quote from: Pluggy on Thu 20, Mar 2025, 08:34:27
Quote from: HayHauler on Thu 20, Mar 2025, 08:02:43
One of the pics has a newer Goldwing in it.  That tells me that they can handle the weight of the Valkyrie.  I don't have one, but that is my $.01875.

Hay  8)
Jimmyt

Hello, Jimmy.

I look forward to hearing from a Valkyrie owner who gets one.  The price + free delivery makes me skeptical.  (I'm old enough to remember those X-ray glasses sold from the back pages of comic books.) 

I agree. It was the price, the free delivery and the other items on their website that made me send an e-mail at the address provided on the site asking if they have inventory in USA (company is in Germany) and to confirm free delivery/shipping.

WintrSol

I have the harbor freight dolly, and it works well on my garage floor. I did have to extend the little end ramps an inch or two, using stainless door hinges, so they would fold up properly.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/motorcycle-atv/motorcycle-stands-dollies-chocks/motorcycle-dollies/1250-lb-capacity-low-profile-motorcycle-dolly-70724.html
98 Honda Valkyrie GL1500CT Tourer
Photo of my FIL Jack, in honor of his WWII service

Hook#3287

Quote from: John Schmidt on Wed 19, Mar 2025, 21:33:28
If they made one for a trike I'd buy one. I could probably make one by buying three and adding the extra channels in back for the rear wheels. Sure would make it easier to move the three-wheeler around in the garage already occupied by two SUV's.

John, you should look into snow-mobile dollies.  You'd have to jack the bike up to get them under the wheels, but they could work for you.

They work well on my skidoo.

Just a thought.

Hook#3287

I just now had the time to check out the link.

For $80 that's a no-brainer. :cooldude:

You can't find a decent front wheel chock for $80. :)

Hook#3287

I went to the website and added a unit to my cart.

$79.00 and free shipping.

Smells like a scam.


Quince

Quote from: Hook#3287 on Wed 26, Mar 2025, 07:41:05
I went to the website and added a unit to my cart.

$79.00 and free shipping.

Smells like a scam.



Did that a week ago and sent e-mail twice asking if they have inventory in USA. No answer but last weekend they sent me an e-mail asking to complete the purchase. I answer again with a question and no answer so I deleted everything. Thinking of building one or beefing up the Harbor Freight model that looks flimsy and has small wheels.

WintrSol

Yes, it does have small wheels, so you have to sweep the floor before rolling around.
It barely flexes when I roll my Tourer onto it, so I'd say structurally sound. The photos are kind of deceiving on this, making it look lighter. Trust me, it ain't light!
98 Honda Valkyrie GL1500CT Tourer
Photo of my FIL Jack, in honor of his WWII service

Peteg

One thing I'd look at is to park the bike in a clear spot in the right side of the garage. Pull straight in and put it on the kick stand, put the bike in neutral. When your ready to pull out turn the handle bars full lock left, grab the left hand grip with both hands and lean your butt against the left side of the seat, you should be able to lift & pull with your hands and your legs & your butt doing a full lock reverse turn. If you want the clear spot on the left side of the garage, do a full lock right turn in front of the garage and see if you can use the procedure to walk it in. I have to admit I would have trouble doing this on gravel, but my son who's 30 years younger than me would have no problem. I used to spin my bikes 180 in my shop (smooth floor) with a motorcycle lift. Then I learned to hip the bikes full lock reverse, now the lift is just for lifting.

There are you tube videos about this is you search on something like small women moving big motorcycles.

Peteg

Quote from: Peteg on Thu 27, Mar 2025, 12:50:49
One thing I'd look at is to park the bike in a clear spot in the right side of the garage. Pull straight in and put it on the kick stand, put the bike in neutral. When your ready to pull out turn the handle bars full lock left, grab the left hand grip with both hands and lean your butt against the left side of the seat, you should be able to lift & pull with your hands and your legs & your butt doing a full lock reverse turn. If you want the clear spot on the left side of the garage, do a full lock right turn in front of the garage and see if you can use the procedure to walk it in. I have to admit I would have trouble doing this on gravel, but my son who's 30 years younger than me would have no problem. I used to spin my bikes 180 in my shop (smooth floor) with a motorcycle lift. Then I learned to hip the bikes full lock reverse, now the lift is just for lifting.

There are you tube videos about this is you search on something like small women moving big motorcycles.

So on second thought, if you can make the space to rotate the bike 180 you should be able to put that space at the right side front of the garage. Try starting a right turn as you enter the garage, so the bike is parked 45 to the right as opposed to straight in. Then it should be easier to backup normally with you sitting on the bike. Either way if I'm understanding this correctly you probably don't need any handling equipment.

Joe333x

I have the harbor freight aluminum motorcycle jack and I can use it to spin the bike around in my shed, I obviously just go slow with it.

Quince

Quote from: Joe333x on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:02:54
I have the harbor freight aluminum motorcycle jack and I can use it to spin the bike around in my shed, I obviously just go slow with it.

You mean lifting up the bike and rotate before dropping it back on the ground? Are you using the adapter? Before attempting this, do you strap down the bike to the jack? To spin it, do you use the jack handle?

WintrSol

Quote from: Quince on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:28:16
Quote from: Joe333x on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:02:54
I have the harbor freight aluminum motorcycle jack and I can use it to spin the bike around in my shed, I obviously just go slow with it.

You mean lifting up the bike and rotate before dropping it back on the ground? Are you using the adapter? Before attempting this, do you strap down the bike to the jack? To spin it, do you use the jack handle?
I do the same with my HF jack; strap it down and rotate as needed, sometimes with the handle, sometimes with the front wheel or luggage rack. I have a lift adapter made by a member, which fits around my belly tank.
I mostly use the dolly for winter storage, but I do need to reverse the bike, after riding straight onto it, to get it tight against the wall.
98 Honda Valkyrie GL1500CT Tourer
Photo of my FIL Jack, in honor of his WWII service

Joe333x

Quote from: Quince on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:28:16
Quote from: Joe333x on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:02:54
I have the harbor freight aluminum motorcycle jack and I can use it to spin the bike around in my shed, I obviously just go slow with it.

You mean lifting up the bike and rotate before dropping it back on the ground? Are you using the adapter? Before attempting this, do you strap down the bike to the jack? To spin it, do you use the jack handle?

I have the bolt on adapter from MarkT I don't strap it down. Sometimes I use the handle but can also just use the bike itself.

Quince

Quote from: Joe333x on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 13:37:13
Quote from: Quince on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:28:16
Quote from: Joe333x on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:02:54
I have the harbor freight aluminum motorcycle jack and I can use it to spin the bike around in my shed, I obviously just go slow with it.

You mean lifting up the bike and rotate before dropping it back on the ground? Are you using the adapter? Before attempting this, do you strap down the bike to the jack? To spin it, do you use the jack handle?

What is the bolt on adapter from MarkT? Any plans, description of what it bolts to or a source? I used the wood adapter that fits under the frame and engine to do all the fluids change.

I have the bolt on adapter from MarkT I don't strap it down. Sometimes I use the handle but can also just use the bike itself.

Joe333x

#24
Quote from: Quince on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 14:24:44
Quote from: Joe333x on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 13:37:13
Quote from: Quince on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:28:16
Quote from: Joe333x on Sat 29, Mar 2025, 10:02:54
I have the harbor freight aluminum motorcycle jack and I can use it to spin the bike around in my shed, I obviously just go slow with it.

You mean lifting up the bike and rotate before dropping it back on the ground? Are you using the adapter? Before attempting this, do you strap down the bike to the jack? To spin it, do you use the jack handle?

What is the bolt on adapter from MarkT? Any plans, description of what it bolts to or a source? I used the wood adapter that fits under the frame and engine to do all the fluids change.

I have the bolt on adapter from MarkT I don't strap it down. Sometimes I use the handle but can also just use the bike itself.

I also made a wood adapter, it does work just the  MarkT one makes it much easier instead of trying to line up the wood one everytime. He's a member on here and sells them if you contact him at valkstuff@horseapple.com here's the info on it https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=90090.0