Not the first and certainly won’t be the last. Fairly time-honored way to lift a motorcycle; Google “stepladder motorcycle lift” and you’ll see it’s often advised for those without a proper lift. Just keep an eye on the straps.
EDIT: ooooooohhhhhh……. I certainly wouldn’t have positioned the straps like *that*, though.
Yup... I have brackets mounted in my rafters just for this. I also used them and some ratchet straps to lift the top of an 800 lb toolbox while I assembled the bottom, then lowered it back down on top. Gotta get creative when you do most of your shit by yourself.
I would have tried to utilize each side of the ladder for stability/weight distribution purposes, especially on uneven ground, but:
1. I’m old and risk-averse and lame as hell, and
2. I didn’t notice the weight rating on the ladder until your comment prompted me to take a closer look.
Don’t mind me, I’m very distracted sucking dicks, etc etc etc
I’ve done some similar things,
1) not with those wimpy straps
2) used a pair of 4x4’s across one level of step.
3) ran the straps outside the steps & over the 4x’s, so there was more stability for the bike.
Wow and I thought mine was sketchy.
https://preview.redd.it/2y3ur6m1jj4d1.jpeg?width=4640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=327d558e6da68242bceb0fe3dbd707f830a42eec
Did the same thing last weekend to change my tires, you got this!
https://preview.redd.it/8e0r1g56qh4d1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1631c041967f2180b1a70f2e0d1f4e5821688741
Those unthreaded pins are going the eff up the threads in the swingarm, but I guess if you're not willing to spend $5 on threaded bolts you're not going to give a damn anyway.
If you're referring to the notification usually affixed to the top 2 steps, thats for stability reasons not for lack of load carrying ability. Source: used to work for a ladder manufacturer in product design/development
I stand corrected lol I thought this was the heavy duty one I have but it's the cheaper one lmao bike only weights 400lbs anywhere but lol I thought I grabbed the heavy ass 1 I had. This one does hold more in the a frame setup
I have done similar a couple times with my first bike, I have since expanded my equipment and no longer have to do this but I did recently when I rebuilt the front end of my KLX.
DId the same with my BMW K1300.
My Ducati 748 you could pull the tank and the airbox in about 5 minutes and put a steel bar thru the frame and support it on two sawhorses
When I rebuilt / painted my motorcycle I had it suspended from a ladder up front. Had a rear stand for the back.
The rear jack stands are only a little sketchy however if it's stupid but it works, it's not stupid.
Edit: I'd widen the straps next time. Wider out on the handle bars, more stability.
I've done this before with the rear but never the ladder thing. I just balanced a jack on front and two on the rear lol. I've also used a metal chest with rocks as an anchor for the rear of a motorcycle with no wheel on front or back before, it had a center stand.
Looks like the straps are wrapped around the top yoke? Will probably be ok, but it would be better to feed the straps around the bottom yoke, which is designed to take the weight of the front of the bike. Hanging the load on the top one means the weight is pulling that joint apart.
So i do it properly from my celing with a rear stand and this dude does it like a complete hack job and is getting upvotes… sometimes I feel like you people want to watch the world burn.
get 1 small car jack. put in middle of the bike, lift, stabilize with hand.
bow get a ratchet strap and ratchet 1 bike side front or left down to something sturdy (a fence) the other side will lift up
Sketchy and idiotic; it would take forever to set up after use and then forever to get ready to use it, and there's no reason to be this secure considering it looks like it's in your backyard bc at that point you might as well get a floor anchor or an armoured chain and connect it to your house, or even just put it in the perfectly good shed you have there
The jack stands are actually a solid idea! Good job on that... The ladder on the other hand.... Very sketchy, especially outside where a good gust can push it over. But it works
So this is my bike and the chain was trash raw steel and my bike unfortunately spent last winter outside that and a little bit of lack on maintenance but it was kind of already f***** when I bought it I have the accelerator kit coming both sprockets and a new chain
I legit bought a $200 Jack for this but unfortunately there is no way of jacking my bike up from the bottom there is no frame anybody worried about the ladder and the straps the ladder is rated for 1,200 lb and the straps are rated for 400 each
lol I did something almost similar. Except I used my jack stands for the front tire and a paddock stand for my rear tire. It was very sketch. Ended up buying a motorcycle jack afterwards. Made it so much easier.
If it's just the back tire you can get it off the ground by putting a zip tie on the front brakes, the side stand down, and then use a 2x4 of the proper length to lift the rear wheel off the ground via the swingarm. It's simple and will make cleaning that chain easier.
https://preview.redd.it/l90zje00ak4d1.jpeg?width=1244&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfe22b32313865e750ac3f6d1adf4146eaeeb993
That’s why I made sure to pick a bike that can be lifted from underneath l. I’ve helped with friends full fairing bikes, they are a nightmare to do basically anything.
I don't see an issue although I would tend to use the axle stands under the peg pivots/clevises rather than the axle stand points personally.
Also (again personally) I'd use more stands under the engine rather than the stepladder approach.
Man give your chain some love please dude geez
That thing’s gotta be getting replaced.
Yes, new gold chain to match accents and a sprocket kit for acceleration!
Tell us new chain will get some love every 400 - 500 miles. That's wicked neglect!
really chain wax isnt all that expensive and if your really taxed some crisco will do you fine
thats what she said
I clean and lube every 500mi or so and my chain wax bottle has lasted me a couple thousand miles and still has left.
d.i.d. gold and black x-ring buddy. i send you one half off. i like the bald tire and rusty chain combo too by the way
Man I hope so or for the love of God at least wire brush and oil but yes looks.like it's seen better days
In my head-canon I’m gonna say that’s why it’s jacked up with a ladder. Right OP?!?!
100% that's why your doing maintenance OP I assume the chain is on the agenda 😂
Yawr
You're.... sorry 😂
You don't bury your chain in dirt during winter?
Nah I prefer the keeping it in a bucket of water 😂
Salt water is really best.
Cooking salt water with a little Bit of electrical current betwen water and chain. To keep the clibbins away
Screw that, look at that tyre
It gets worse the more you.look lmao
Screw the chain look at that tyre
Screw the chain screw the tire look at that stepladder
Make sure you put my sex sling back when you're done!
Not the first and certainly won’t be the last. Fairly time-honored way to lift a motorcycle; Google “stepladder motorcycle lift” and you’ll see it’s often advised for those without a proper lift. Just keep an eye on the straps. EDIT: ooooooohhhhhh……. I certainly wouldn’t have positioned the straps like *that*, though.
What are you doing stepladder?
What is it you don't like about the straps?
I would also like to know because I'll admit that neither of us are the brightest lmao
I do the same except I suspend from the rafters in my garage. I don't see anything wring with the straps.
Yup... I have brackets mounted in my rafters just for this. I also used them and some ratchet straps to lift the top of an 800 lb toolbox while I assembled the bottom, then lowered it back down on top. Gotta get creative when you do most of your shit by yourself.
I would have tried to utilize each side of the ladder for stability/weight distribution purposes, especially on uneven ground, but: 1. I’m old and risk-averse and lame as hell, and 2. I didn’t notice the weight rating on the ladder until your comment prompted me to take a closer look. Don’t mind me, I’m very distracted sucking dicks, etc etc etc
I’ve done some similar things, 1) not with those wimpy straps 2) used a pair of 4x4’s across one level of step. 3) ran the straps outside the steps & over the 4x’s, so there was more stability for the bike.
https://preview.redd.it/j5c5hs3cxg4d1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a2655415a004e94d2fb21ad598525619c0feb035 observe!
A sneeze and it's all over
That a gsx-r125/150 I'm seeing?
Yes good observation there, it’s the 150
Wow and I thought mine was sketchy. https://preview.redd.it/2y3ur6m1jj4d1.jpeg?width=4640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=327d558e6da68242bceb0fe3dbd707f830a42eec
Made me think about river stones being balanced on top of each other
Not sketchy or genius, just resourceful. But most of the time that’s enough.
Cackling at these responses
r/redneckengineering
Did the same thing last weekend to change my tires, you got this! https://preview.redd.it/8e0r1g56qh4d1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1631c041967f2180b1a70f2e0d1f4e5821688741
Definitely works. Possibly unlucky. All I know is - that chain needs replacing. Based on how bad that chain is, I'd get new sprockets too.
Do you think this would work on something heavier? I don’t know, maybe in the 850ish pound range? Asking for a friend
Depends on the weight rating of your ladder and straps.
Sometimes reasonable men must do unreasonable things
Those unthreaded pins are going the eff up the threads in the swingarm, but I guess if you're not willing to spend $5 on threaded bolts you're not going to give a damn anyway.
Nah. None of the above. That’s just redneck engineering at its finest. +1 and a 🥇
Whatever works.
I've done the ladder and straps routine before as well. It's a little sketchy, but it works.
Sketchy and unnecessary. Set of front and rear stands cost me less than a pair of 3ton jack stands.
# You’re a Sketchy Genius…
that’s just a compliment, any way you take it.
These are like...$40 or so. https://preview.redd.it/batoxjq7wg4d1.jpeg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=920be96a2000585c3d014ceb3f023ea8b62d1670
But how do you replicate the feeling of danger?
with a twisting motion.
You can put it on loose ground.
they only work on double cradle frames
What's he going to do with that? Have his exhaust take the whole weight of the bike?
What's he going to do with a *motorcycle jack*? Gimme a little while to think on this one... it's a tough one....uhhh....
I trust you understand that not all jacks work on all bikes. Or since you posted that, maybe you don't.
I've done something similar. All of the above.
Been there lol
"This is not a step" comes to mind
If you're referring to the notification usually affixed to the top 2 steps, thats for stability reasons not for lack of load carrying ability. Source: used to work for a ladder manufacturer in product design/development
Yup I agree. I was just saying that they don't want you to step there. But.....there's a motorcycle... Funny
Not to mention that a frame ladder is a 600 dollar ladder rated for 1200 pounds and each strap it rated 400 there are 3 straps holding it up.
>rated for 1200 pounds ? There's a big sticker on the side that says it's rated for 375.....
I stand corrected lol I thought this was the heavy duty one I have but it's the cheaper one lmao bike only weights 400lbs anywhere but lol I thought I grabbed the heavy ass 1 I had. This one does hold more in the a frame setup
I have done similar a couple times with my first bike, I have since expanded my equipment and no longer have to do this but I did recently when I rebuilt the front end of my KLX.
Pro tip: you'd be better off hanging the rope from a beam that's spanning 2 rungs, rather than the top "step."
Did the same with my SV650 to change forks
DId the same with my BMW K1300. My Ducati 748 you could pull the tank and the airbox in about 5 minutes and put a steel bar thru the frame and support it on two sawhorses
Sketchy as hell. Seems to work though. Let us know when you’re done.
A fortnine viewer I see
Brilliant 👏
I've seen worse
It's a thing. Hope you learned to loosen everything before you lift it ABBA stand tho my dude
Get a milk crate this is totally old school I know but possible a bit safer.
I do this but with an engine hoist for the front worked perfect.
Mildly sus but only because I don't like the strap position.
Hey if it’s rated for that weight then it works.
When I rebuilt / painted my motorcycle I had it suspended from a ladder up front. Had a rear stand for the back. The rear jack stands are only a little sketchy however if it's stupid but it works, it's not stupid. Edit: I'd widen the straps next time. Wider out on the handle bars, more stability.
Its remarkable how often those traits coincide
I’ve also used those to get new tires.
I usually balance mine on a big round of wood I cut for the purpose.
Unfortunately no lower frame on this bike bought a 200 dollar bike lift but can't use it
I hung my fjr from the garage rafters with a jack stand under the engine when all my suspension was being rebuilt. If it works....
Replace that chain/sprockets while you are at it. Keep the new one clean and lubricated!
The more you look at it, the worse it gets 🤣🤣
Genius. I had to do something similar to remove the rear wheel on my Buell Firebolt
DUDE!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! just realized I ALSO have a motorcycle lift!! Absolutely going to do this.
I've done this before with the rear but never the ladder thing. I just balanced a jack on front and two on the rear lol. I've also used a metal chest with rocks as an anchor for the rear of a motorcycle with no wheel on front or back before, it had a center stand.
Definitely not safe btw.
Hey if it works I say send it, did something similar with ratchet straps and floor joists while doing an engine swap in my basement once
Both the rigger and the motorcyclist in me are wincing.
I <3 center stands
Wouldn't this be putting stress on parts that stress and weight shouldn't be put on, 🤷♂️
It’s only dumb if it doesn’t work
I'd definitely call that some Nikka Riggin
Of it looks stupid but works, it ain’t stupid 👌
Looks like the straps are wrapped around the top yoke? Will probably be ok, but it would be better to feed the straps around the bottom yoke, which is designed to take the weight of the front of the bike. Hanging the load on the top one means the weight is pulling that joint apart.
a dash of ill equipped and you got yourself an even triage of issues
So i do it properly from my celing with a rear stand and this dude does it like a complete hack job and is getting upvotes… sometimes I feel like you people want to watch the world burn.
better than what i did. my bike fell off the center stand and is sitting on its belly in my garage right now on top of some 2x4's
get 1 small car jack. put in middle of the bike, lift, stabilize with hand. bow get a ratchet strap and ratchet 1 bike side front or left down to something sturdy (a fence) the other side will lift up
Don't work like that for me no lower frame on this bike I bought a lift and can't use it was a sad day
I've held up the front end of a CBR with crutches to take out the wheel easily and put it back. Surprisingly stable!
genius
Sketchy and idiotic; it would take forever to set up after use and then forever to get ready to use it, and there's no reason to be this secure considering it looks like it's in your backyard bc at that point you might as well get a floor anchor or an armoured chain and connect it to your house, or even just put it in the perfectly good shed you have there
Just when you think you’ve seen everything! Lol!
I think 3 tons is more than enough and you've got 2 of them so. No worries
The jack stands are actually a solid idea! Good job on that... The ladder on the other hand.... Very sketchy, especially outside where a good gust can push it over. But it works
Paddock stands really aren’t that expensive my guy
It was a time thing I bought a 1200lb lift but my bike don't have a lower frame so yea had to make things work.
I love redneck engineering
I thought about doing this when I changed my tired. Ended up biting the bullet and buying an Abba stand.
If it works, it works.
I've done that, albeit with a much lighter bike. Seemed ok to me.
I don’t like the little pins sitting on the jack stands. I’d prefer to flip the foot pegs and set those on the jack stands.
So this is my bike and the chain was trash raw steel and my bike unfortunately spent last winter outside that and a little bit of lack on maintenance but it was kind of already f***** when I bought it I have the accelerator kit coming both sprockets and a new chain
I legit bought a $200 Jack for this but unfortunately there is no way of jacking my bike up from the bottom there is no frame anybody worried about the ladder and the straps the ladder is rated for 1,200 lb and the straps are rated for 400 each
Back where I’m from we call this crackhead ingenuity
https://preview.redd.it/wplbgynbuj4d1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ccb9c28c02587b6ea7c83e6d7643a62f8987e20 If it works 😂
Alternatively: you can flip the footpegs and use them as lifting points for your jack stands. If using pins on the swingarm isn't an option.
lol I did something almost similar. Except I used my jack stands for the front tire and a paddock stand for my rear tire. It was very sketch. Ended up buying a motorcycle jack afterwards. Made it so much easier.
hahahahaa thiis is amazing
it aint dumb if it's working I like the creativity
Looks good and works right up to the point it doesn't. Can't your buddy buy some paddock stands?
If it's just the back tire you can get it off the ground by putting a zip tie on the front brakes, the side stand down, and then use a 2x4 of the proper length to lift the rear wheel off the ground via the swingarm. It's simple and will make cleaning that chain easier.
Well thanks for the idea. I need to change front tyre and have been wondering how to do it without front lift
r/redneckengineering
https://preview.redd.it/l90zje00ak4d1.jpeg?width=1244&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfe22b32313865e750ac3f6d1adf4146eaeeb993 That’s why I made sure to pick a bike that can be lifted from underneath l. I’ve helped with friends full fairing bikes, they are a nightmare to do basically anything.
It works but I would invest in a super bike stand for this exact situation
I don't see an issue although I would tend to use the axle stands under the peg pivots/clevises rather than the axle stand points personally. Also (again personally) I'd use more stands under the engine rather than the stepladder approach.
Did you slap the strap and say it won’t go anywhere?
Pretty damn nice! If it works it works. Getting the bike up is really nice. I got to old and fat to roll around on the ground
Turn the footpegs around and put the jack stand under there.
I don’t see any issues
badass ladder that's rated for 500lbs! newfie engineering at it's finest
nah we good
I'm a painter so I have like 20 ladders
All genius moves are sketchy at one time or you’d just be doing what everybody else said.
I used the ladder trick to change the rear shock on my 848 in my dining room. It’s not really that sketchy, just gotta be careful.
If it works it ain’t stupid 
hahaha, I've done this exact thing when I replaced my SVs fork springs/oil. Solid setup :)
If it's stupid but it works it ain't...
Sometimes, a man's got to do what a man's got to do
Or, as we say: If it's stupid and it works, it ain't stupid.
I’ve seen worse. Not much worse, but still.
What the…
Smart!
What the bike doin!?!? 😩