Can anyone with a Big Blue Lift provide advice on my lifting issues?

[knklehd1]

I just purchased a 24 S2S. I also purchased a new Big Blue lift, put it together followed the directions, and went to lift the bike up. As you can see in the pic, the left side won't lift. The right tire is up around 2 5/8 of an inch and the rear is up around 2 7/8 of an inch. I am centered in the front and in the back the bike is a little wobbly, nothing crazy. The front mount is right at the edge as per the instructions and the rear mount is at 13/16 of an inch as per the instructions or 20mm. If anyone with this lift has any advice, I would be grateful.

 

[racoon]

More details on the exact lift you're using would be helpful, as the picture doesn't look like the Big Blue Motorcycle Lift that Google found for me:

CanAm Spyder RT/F3S Trike Lift - Motorcycle Lift Jack | Big Blue Motorcycle lift

Big Blue motorcycle lift gets your CanAm Spyder up high for whatever reason safely handling the worlds biggest bikes for all types of maintenance & repairs.

on-bike.com

 

[knklehd1]

It's an original Big Blue Lift.

 

[Peter Aawen]

We can't see how you've got the Spyder mounted on the lift from your pic, but regardless, I have found that even when you feel that you've absolutely got everything all set up square, centred, and mounted properly, the first 6 to 8 inches of lifting often feels &/or looks a little off &/or wobbly, but if you do check that it is sitting correctly (just to be sure, to be sure! ) and if it is, then go on with your lifting, it all becomes much more stable once you pass thru getting it about 1 foot off the ground. Still, it's always a good idea to be very careful around anything that's ONLY supported by a lift; and only ever lift things as high as is absolutely necessary!

Ps: IIRC, there's an attachment available that allows you to fix the Spyder (ie. bolt it onto) the lifting arm via the footpeg/footplate, altho like many, I rarely feel the need to do that these days. Do you have that attachment, and if you're concerned about the Spyder falling off the lift, are you using it??

 

[racoon]

Did you follow the steps in the instructions? Apparently you have to remove one of the footboards?

https://cdn.on-bike.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Spyder-RT-inc-2020.pdf

 

[Woodaddict]

searching "big blue" get 10 pages of comment. Some posts talk about removing right floorboard, of bolting to lift to frame, and an adapter on the lift to lift a RT.

 

[Flier Tuck]

I have had my Big Blue lift for about 15 years now, the last 8 on my Spyders. I would say it is essential to fit the bracket that bolts to the side of the lift arm and to the footboard bolt hole. If you lift the bike so that the weight is just being taken, then tighten up that bracket as well as the "u" bolts at the rear the bike will be secure and more importantly safe.

 

[BamaJohn]

krklehd1-- I have the Big Blue lift and use it on my 2020 Spyder RT. Here are my comments after multiple times of lifting the Spyder:

• The lift will lift the Spyder to the height advertised, and it's a quality build;
• A high-torque, low speed drill motor was required for me;
• Be careful not to lower the lifting bar too much...the nut on top will spin off;
• It is necessary to remove the right-side floorboard in order to get the lift in proper position;
• I have also found that the Spyder will list to the left if I don't have the front lift point exactly correct..trial and error is all I've found;
• Once the Spyder is a few inches off the ground, it's time to bolt the angle bracket to one of the floorboard mounting holes. (I use about an inch of spacers on the floorboard bolt in order to get the bolt tight);
• Getting the lift in perfect position is a PITA, but it works.

I hope this helps you....

 

[Two2Three]

I put a vertical bit of blue tape on mine and drew a line on it so as I start lifting, as soon as the line starts to disappear, that's when I put the footboard bolt in. Same thing when lowering. When the line reappears, I remove the bolt and go the rest of the way down. That way I never get too much pressure on the bolt and it goes in and out easily.

.

 

[knklehd1]

John, thanks for your advise !! I will follow it. Removing the right floorboard is a no brainer !! I like the fact you use washers to tighten down the bolt I think that helps. Like I said the other two tires are just under 3 inches off the floor and the left tire is about 1/8 of an inch off the floor that scares the hell out of me. I knew the bike was gonna list, just didn't think it would be that much. I'm not gonna have time until this weekend or Tuesday to get things done. I will you keep you all informed on how I make out. I would like to thank all who responded and helped.

 

[RPM]

Knklehd1, so how did that end up working for you? I'm looking to get the Big Blue lift myself and was just curious on your follow up.

 

[knklehd1]

I haven't had the time to do anything been working my tail off. My advice to you rpm is pull the trigger on the lift you won't be sorry.

 

[Dansy]

Doesn’t work well with the floorboard normally you attach the lift to the foot peg