Lifting the front end - 1100 Kat

[katanajim]

I need to do some Fork work on my 82 1100 Kat - what are people using to lift the front end? Do i need to drop the exhaust to lift the bike on the sump or are headstock lifts the way to go? Anyone successfully used an Abba stand to Lift their Kat (front or back end)

If anyone has any photos or explanantions of how they did it it would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Jim

[Uncle Bob]

On the 1100 , if you still have the centre stand then I'd say use a scissor jack under the engine or if you have the 4 into 2, then the collector box from memory (I use a a block of wood to give some protection or even across the under of the frame tubes maybe). I have 2 jacks as that can work better, each side but have also done with one. Once the front is off I think the lack of the weight of the front end it almost tip back on the back wheel (there isn't much pressure on the jack). If no centre stand you'll just have the full weight on the jacks. Don't leave on a hydraulic jack - I did this once just overnight when I had to get a front tyre to the loose wheel and the jack slowly lowered so the bike was on the forks and that popped my fork seals!

The 250 and 400 don't have the centre stand but the Abba stand works on them. As an alternative to the jacks I bought one of these lifts:

which also work well. You can get from various places, this is from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonnlo-Motorcy ... B0B95ZG7F1

The swing arm is off the 250 so I couldn't use the Abba stand, so I used the lift under the back engine mount, with a piece of wood to give some protection. Also as a precaution I used a ratchet strap around the frame and up over the rafters.

Are you taking the forks apart? That's always a joy! I do have the Suzuki tool to help with that, I can send a pic if you like.

UB

[Kryten]

My Kat had to hibernate outside this winter due to the workshop being in use.

So it went into a Vac Bag with a scissor lift like the one with the screw adjusters the UB pictured. The one I got has rubber coating on the cups to protect the paint.

As for ABBA stands, well I’m a big fan of their stuff!

I started with the SuperBike stand, then added the extras.

But TBH it was the Skylift that really does the business as I don’t have enough room for a table lift and my knees are getting creaky.

I have the Kat 1000 on it at the moment. I have also had my T509 Speed Trip on the Skylift with no front or rear suspension on it. It did need the swinging arm removal kit that bolts on in place of the footrests.

[Kryten]

I’ll try and get some photos of the Kat on the centre stand with the scissor jack lifting the frame tomorrow.

Also some of the Skylift in action as well. It currently has the back of the Kat fully raised so I could fit the new chain.

[Kryten]

Kat on centre stand and scissor jack

Jack placed just forward of the lower engine mounts

If you’re juggling about with front end, I’d put a block of wood under the rear wheel just to stop it from rocking backwards as you’re heaving on the forks.

[Kryten]

Kat on the Skylift, lifting the back end up to allow the new chain to be fitted

[Jonty]

Skylift is great, so convenient for jobs you dont want to bend down for!

Looks cool too