assembly stands/jacks

rgrigutis · Jan 30, 2009

having just come by my 750 and my 850 in pieces i need a stand/jack to work on them. any reccommendations? any homemade stuff out there. as always, thanx. rick

BillT · Jan 30, 2009

When I bought my basketcase, the previous owner made up a three-point stand he mounted the frame on. Frame and legs are 3/4" square tubing, and frame saddles are 1 1/2" pipe, cut into thirds with clear plastic tubing as a liner. He mounted the frame with hose clamps, as can be seen in the picture below.

Red triangle thing is a cradle brace he got from Colorado Norton Works. It allowed me to assemble a complete rolling chassis before mounting the engine.

I mounted the whole thing on a furniture dolly, covered with a piece of plywood. Made it handy to roll around the garage.

steven wardlaw · Jan 30, 2009

How do you guys post these great pictures of your bikes?

BillT · Jan 30, 2009

I post mine by uploading them to another forum that is set up for posting pictures. One can also set up an account at Photobucket, MySpace, or Facebook. Once something is up on the web, you can copy it pretty much anywhere.

grandpaul · Jan 31, 2009

Picturetrail, shutterfly, flik'r, etc.

grandpaul · Jan 31, 2009

Picturetrail, shutterfly, flik'r, etc.

steven wardlaw · Jan 31, 2009

Thanks again! I will try that. Now back to you original question about stands for the norton. I tried my friends bike lift, but found it almost useless.I now use two ratchet straps that are hung from the beams in my garage. I just hook the straps to the rear frame behind the seat and lift the bikes rear wheel off the ground. Not fancy but very good for lifting either front or rear wheel completely.

grandpaul · Jan 31, 2009

Steven, that method can result in a boatload of sorrows if you remove a few key parts from the bike; the center of gravity will change, resulting in the bike going upside-down as if it were on a rotisserie.

Nortasaki · Jan 31, 2009

I made a stand much like that Fred at OLD BRITS uses, having a '73 Dunstall Norton with the 2 into 1 into 2 exhaust I went with a 4 point clamp set up.

grandpaul · Jan 31, 2009

I will refrain from commenting on one particular aspect of the bike I DON'T like, but I DEFINITELY like the 2-into-1-into-2 dunsTall powerPipes, and the dual front discs!

MarshalNorton · Jan 31, 2009

I received a Sears MC Jack several years ago as a Christmas present.
My 72 combat sat on it for approx. 3 years. I rolled it around as needed.
I did a frame on restoration though. I didn't need to disturb the drive train.
I was able to remove swing arm and all other items effortlessly and able to adjust height for all applications.
It worked for me. Sometimes on sale.
A good item for the money.

grandpaul · Jan 31, 2009

I have a cheap Torin clone of the Sears jack, I love it. just a few different thickness wooden chocks on a nearby shelf to level various different bikes, and a couple of tie-town straps to keep the bike from flopping when you remove or install one wheel or the other, and it's hard to beat for about $50.

Hortons Norton · Jan 31, 2009

This stand cost less than $90.00 at Harbor Freight, I was able to assemble the bike on it without any trouble. Although when the pipes are installed I will have to make a block to fit between them, Should be easy. Whats nice about it is when lowered you can just roll the jack out from underneath it. Chuck.

grandpaul · Jan 31, 2009

DANG! That bike is looking SHARP, Chuck!

rgrigutis · Jan 31, 2009

thanks boys. interesting designs and ideas. that harbor freight outfit looks hard to beat for the price! i don't have a welder but was thinking of some massive pvc[ flanges, uprights, tees w/ top half cut off to form a cradle mounted on a furniture dolly such like that shown in the first photo]

Nortasaki · Jan 31, 2009

grandpaul said:
I will refrain from commenting on one particular aspect of the bike I DON'T like, but I DEFINITELY like the 2-into-1-into-2 dunsTall powerPipes, and the dual front discs!

The blue tank is just holding gas to run the bike temporarily, it will be painted before it goes on any bike :wink:

steven wardlaw · Jan 31, 2009

After seeing this latest bike stand I'm going to harbor freight. Great looking bike also. Great to see people making killer nortons. Nice wheels.

Nortasaki · Feb 1, 2009

steven wardlaw said:
After seeing this latest bike stand I'm going to harbor freight. Great looking bike also. Great to see people making killer nortons. Nice wheels.

I just clean up this Dunstall after it had been parked in my Dads' pole barn for about 15years, I do plan on restoring a 750 Commando.

rbt11548 · Feb 4, 2009

Like both the stands pictured; serious question, how do you get the bike down to earth?

Nortasaki · Feb 4, 2009

rbt11548 said:
Like both the stands pictured; serious question, how do you get the bike down to earth?

I use a chain hoist.