1975 Commando Mk3 lifting handle

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chrisf1

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Hi again everyone, I was at the last Romney Marsh bike jumble as I have recently re-joined the fold with a 1975 Mk3 850 Commando although it was not at the show, while there I saw a Commando at the club stand with a nice round chrome or alloy footrest folded down and doubling also as the top rear left shock absorber bolt and for use as a lifting handle to put the bike on the centre stand and up until then I had not tried to put mine on the centre stand when I did I found out just how much the years have caught up with me, in short I am just not strong enough anymore to do it without help from another person, I have been unable to find a lifting handle for a Commando and AN have told me they do not exist, so I am asking if the person who owns the bike could tell me how or where he got it or who turned the fitting and what footrest he used if self made I would gladly pay him to duplicate one for me any suggestions or offers to do this for me would be gratefully received, I am based in Medway Kent, many thanks Chris
 
chrisf1 said:
I had not tried to put mine on the centre stand when I did I found out just how much the years have caught up with me, in short I am just not strong enough anymore to do it without help from another person,
Click to expand...

It shouldn't be down to brute force but technique as putting your body weight on the arm of the stand should do the majority of lifting, not heaving with your arms.
 
L.A.B. said:
It shouldn't be down to brute force but technique as putting your body weight on the arm of the stand should do the majority of lifting, not heaving with your arms.
Click to expand...
I agree
You use your whole body in a fluid motion
Don't try and lift it
Or do what I do just unbolt the stand and throw it over the fence with the indicators/mirrors/choke slides etc etc :D :D
Hope this helps
 
I wonder perhaps a previous owner removed the original stand and a subsequent owner replaced it with one from a different year/model. My mark3 center stand has a very effective fulcrum action to it and yes stepping on it goes a long way towards getting the bike up on the center stand.
 
Actually I would like a center stand on my commando but I have an extra iso where the centre stand bolt holes were
Maybe I could modify one like a dunstall to fit?
 
As stated by others the technique is critical. One thing I've noticed over the years, even with experienced owners, is that many don't always ensure both feet of the stand are touching the ground before they try to lift the bike. It's an easy enough mistake to make, but makes the process much harder than it otherwise should be.
 
acadian said:
As stated by others the technique is critical. One thing I've noticed over the years, even with experienced owners, is that many don't always ensure both feet of the stand are touching the ground before they try to lift the bike. It's an easy enough mistake to make, but makes the process much harder than it otherwise should be.
Click to expand...
I understand this and probably not helped by an 18'' rear wheel but the upside down rear footrest could be my saviour
 
chrisf1 said:
I understand this and probably not helped by an 18'' rear wheel but the upside down rear footrest could be my saviour
Click to expand...
Does your tyre profile take the wheel back to the original diameter? If not, have you tried it with the rear wheel on a 1/2" thick plank?
 
When I had trouble with my modern Bonneville (heavier than a Commando ) after installing a CS, a few YouTube videos showed me what I was doing wrong and how to do it correctly. Examples of wee lads popping huge adventure and cruiser bikes on to CS, even while wearing flip flops!
Secret is to grab the bike at the lowest , easily reachable point on frame. Then, with one foot firmly on the CS arm, both CS feet in full contact with ground, just push down with your foot on the arm, as if trying to take a step up a staircase. No arm lifting, back straining or levering bike rearwards. The lower your hand grab point on frame the easier it becomes.
 
My MK III is MUCH harder to put on center stand then other Norton's I believe the lever/arm you put your foot on is shorter ?!?!
 
Here I thought I was the only one with this problem! I roll the rear wheel onto a piece of 1/4” plywood whenever my rear tire gets lower on tread.At 130 lbs.,I can use all the help I can get.
Mike
 
Tornado said:
When I had trouble with my modern Bonneville (heavier than a Commando ) after installing a CS, a few YouTube videos showed me what I was doing wrong and how to do it correctly. Examples of wee lads popping huge adventure and cruiser bikes on to CS, even while wearing flip flops!
Secret is to grab the bike at the lowest , easily reachable point on frame. Then, with one foot firmly on the CS arm, both CS feet in full contact with ground, just push down with your foot on the arm, as if trying to take a step up a staircase. No arm lifting, back straining or levering bike rearwards. The lower your hand grab point on frame the easier it becomes.
Click to expand...
Yes It's all weight on the stand foot.
 
htown16 said:
LP Williams sells the lift handle for vintage Triumphs. I had one on my 74 Trident. Maybe some one fabbed a mount for one of those.

Lifting handle T120 T150 T160 (not OIF)

www.triumph-spares.co.uk www.triumph-spares.co.uk
Click to expand...

A similar folding handle on the BMW K100RS is wonderful - it needs to be. The bike weighs the same as a bus!

1975 Commando Mk3 lifting handle

1975 Commando Mk3 lifting handle

Perhaps, as htown16 mentioned, a mount could be made up around this area:

1975 Commando Mk3 lifting handle
 
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