How can I get my 450 into my truck bed?

[Harry P.]

some u-hauls have actual motorcycle trailers...mine gets $15.00 a day for the rental...maybe a local bike shop will have one you can use/rent

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Another suggestion for the future would be to get a kit for a 2x8 plank.



Click the picture to go to J.C. Whitney's product.

You can see Ian's ramp beside my 850 in the back of his pickup. Two people are pretty much required though.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[matt_gs450]

Thanks BassCliff. That is a neat product. I wish I could have found it before I built my ramp. But now I have one and it works well. Time to find another old beater to bring home!

 

[GSexpress]

Thanks BassCliff. That is a neat product. I wish I could have found it before I built my ramp. But now I have one and it works well. Time to find another old beater to bring home!

How about something REAL challenging? An 75 RE5! or maybe a 71 T250 Hustler. I'll make ya a deal.

 

[Baatfam]

...maybe a 71 T250 Hustler. I'll make ya a deal.

I'd love to have a 250 Hustler....my Dad had one when I was a kid....

 

[GSexpress]

I'd love to have a 250 Hustler....my Dad had one when I was a kid....

It's a project bike butt It's low miles, 6K I think, and it's pretty complete but not fully assembled. I have the heads and cylenders in a box with new pistons and rings. It's the rare scrambler version but I only have a set of standard pipes for it not the upswept pipes that made the scrambler different. I also have a near new set of gadges and turn signals. The original seat is still in good untorn or cracked condition and the tank is undamaged but re-painted metalic gray over the original puke green. The bottom end and tranny are still in the bike. the crankcase has been filled with oil to preserve the seals and bearings but, it's been that way for about 10 years so no guarentees. I have about $1000.00 in it but I'll let it go for $500.00 for someone who will "git'er done" and care for it.

If you want to talk turkey, PM me.

 

[matt_gs450]

I already bought another 450, with the help of the ramp (all hail the ramp). It's in barely-rolling shape, but it's got some good parts on it that I need.

 

[Guest]

Better fix for securing the ramp without risking damage to your tailgate is to put eyehooks on either side of the ramp and then secure to hooks inside the truck bed. I made a ramp just like yours a few years ago and that trick has worked perfectly for me.

 

[boba]

bike in truck bed

bike in truck bed

I put a 79 850 in my nissan truck alot, it has had a lot of mile riding back there. anyway i used 2- 2x8 and put them side by side in the center of tail gate pushed bike up and in (better with someone up inside to hold the brake when it gets to the top) then i rolled it front tire into a corner and the back wheel sat just inside gate, but could not close.. tied bike down and tied 2x8's against the bike wheels whit bunji cords and it did just fine drove it around like that for about a month. just check the straps and such to make sure they dont come loose

 

[Shaughn]

Thanks BassCliff. That is a neat product. I wish I could have found it before I built my ramp. But now I have one and it works well. Time to find another old beater to bring home!

Hey Matt, love the homebrew ramp, good work! I've got the same ramp kit as BassCliff shows in the photo (Ian's, I guess) that I picked up from Lowe's for 15$. Doesn't have the traction strip(top angles only), but you don't need it. I used two 2x12s and they work great. The real benefit of the kit is that it comes with pins that you use and put through your bed to stop them from sliding off if you're riding up and accidentally goose the throttle. I know you said your bed was too small not to leave the tailgate off, but I wouldn't advise loading on it often- it's not made to carry much weight and will break off.

Oh, and **** heads as they all might be,and I know exactly what you mean, but the Uhaul ramp trailer is cheap, rugged, and perfect for this job.

 

[Runningdog]

jmanz story, "I remember driving my dirtbike up my ramp into my buddy's S-10 once and I nearly jumped the cab of the truck! ", reminded me of loading a GS400 into the back of a moving van.
Lots of room, and a ramp, right?
Well, the little man at the controls suggested shifting into second near the top of the ramp, and I did a bit of Evel Kneival inside the truck, before I landed in a big pile if moving pads at the front of the box.
Much laughter, no injury, or damage.
Silly bugger.....

 

[FreuderLocks]

Rediculous (as it sounds) and as (dangerous is it is), I have used an old door as a ramp. NO wood! Fire rated safety doors are awesome, frequently found in dumpsters at construction sites of refurbishments of commercial buildings. Theyre rated for way more than your bike weighs. Otherwise buy a ramp and if you feel up to it (and have a few friends to help) ive just lifted bikes into trucks before, it just depends on how much it weighs. Loading docks, safeway, walmart anywhere as long as its okay with the management or your not going to get caught are exceedingly excellent places, (I have a few favorites in my area). I hope this helps.
-FreuderTron

 

[C.V.]

Here is a complete turorial...

Here is a complete turorial...

this is the prefered method.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiNEwhdhWds

 

[jabberjoe87]

i went to home depot and bought two boards used for floor joists and the such. I have a 77 gs750 and just get a little running start with the bike on one board and me up the other. to get it off i use a ratcheting tie down to hold the one board down when backing the bike off.

 

[Airstream]

Used a long aluminum extendable ladder with wooden planks on it to load my ZX11 into a Chev Van. The length makes the incline more gradual. Worked great.

 

[oldrookie]

Had a friend drop his sportbike off his homebuilt ramp. Landed on his friend's charcoal grill.

Wasn't good for either. Fortunately, the local high school has a very advanced auto shop setup and he got it repaired (almost all the plastic pieces) for about $300.