Help!!

[Tonka]

Right I have a problem and it goes a bit like this:

Take one of these (with tow bar):

https://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr344/Tonkatoo_2008/th_Car.jpg

Attach one of these:

https://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr344/Tonkatoo_2008/th_BikeRack.jpg

OK, I've managed that with out any trouble!!

............are you still with me, as this is where my problems start?

I now have to put this on the rack:

https://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr344/Tonkatoo_2008/th_Bike.jpg

I've just spent over an hour quite literally underneath the car and bike trying to work out how to get the bike on. I can't lift the bike on, as I'm not strong enough. I can get the rack lower as my driveway is on a slope, so I tried running the bike up a ramp to get the front wheel in - but then couldn't lift the back up high enough.

Thinking I'm going to need to set up a ramp across the middle and up to stand any chance. Has anyone else ever used one of these or able to offer any advice or suggestions?

Thanks very much!!
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[.....]

Rather unhelpfully, I'd imagine brute force is the order of the day here. Do you have a neighbour who might be able to help you lift the bike?

[Tonka]

Nope, to the extent that I did wonder if I was going to be under the bike all night earlier - 'twas a tad upsetting!!

Thing is the sort of times I need to load and unload bike there wouldn't be anyone about on the farm either, else I could get one of them to help. Unfortunately I need to work out a way to manage it by myself
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Klause]

What about getting one wheel in first using ramp method then using a half way step (brick, wood or something), so you don't quite have to lift it up all the way in one go for the remaining wheel?
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Current bikes: 1960 Triumph 5ta x2, TTR600RE, KTM200EXC, Cagiva Elephant 900ie.

[----]

That XR must weigh at least 100kg! seems like a lot of weight to hang off the tow bar
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DRZ-400sm

[Tonka]

Klause: Yeah, that's what I thought - I managed to get the front wheel in first, as instructed and then had the back wheel still on a ramp of sorts, but I still couldn't lift it in. Unsurprisingly there isn't a lot of room to manoeuvre as there is a dirty 4x4 in the way!

Justme: The rack takes up to 150kg and the nose weight of the vehicle also tallies, so all should be ok. Just can't lift 100kg+ of bike!
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[G]

I did write a longer post last night, but lost it.

I reckon a bit of metal between the two would probably be the easiest/most portable solution.
Possibly add a plate to put over the first wheel hoop to get the front wheel over it as you're pushing it on/off.

A hydraulic scissor stand on wheels could do it (I got one of these for £50 or so a while ago, think they're normally a bit more than that new) - you could lift it up with the stand, push up the car then lower it.
If you don't sort a solution and are in this area, feel free to borrow mine for a few weeks to give it a go .

Some fancier racks available, not sure about in the UK:
https://store.rampconnection.com/product.php?xProd=6201
https://store.rampconnection.com/product.php?xProd=6672&xSec=50

[Tonka]

Thanks G!

I've been round at the garage this morning chatting to the guys there and we have agreed that a plate across between the two wheel points will be a must and a ramp up to there.

May have a different rack to try the week after next and going to see if there is a loading ramp down on the farm that I can reverse the car up to and then drop the bike onto the rack! Still leaves me having to work out how to get it back off again though!!

I did find a couple of hydraulic racks advertised in the UK but they were mega bucks!
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[----]

[G]

Saw this and thought of you.

[Tonka]

Aww, thank you!!

I was nearly tempted, until I saw the bit about the rear wheel (it needs to go on a 4x4 with a rear mounted wheel) and it's in Aberdeenshire, about as far away within the British Isles as it can get!

I'm having another ramp 'adapted' by my mechanic next week now so I'm hoping that it will do the trick as it's a roll-on, roll-off and involves no lifting! I need it for a Christmas ride, so I'm crossing my fingers it works and I can manage it.

In the meantime I managed to blag lifts on trailers and in vans so that I could play away!
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)