S10 Center of Gravity

[ejy712]

I'm building a dolly for the S10. I'll be using it as a part of a lift so maintenance is easier on my older back. I need to get a rough estimate for where the center of gravity is located. The easiest way to do this is to weigh the bike one wheel at a time. My bathroom scale only goes up to 280 so that's out. Any of you weighed your S10 one wheel at a time?

If you post the weight of each wheel and what luggage you have on the bike (empty luggage, no luggage) I will calculate and post your S10's center of gravity (assuming a wheel base of 60.6 inches). I'll do it for all configurations you are willing to provide data for. When we have enough samples I'll have an idea of average center of gravity and likely deviation.

This information should help anyone who uses a lift (that is not a table lift).

Thanks in advance...

 

[Don in Lodi]

A floor jack and a block of wood will find it for you. A guess would be only a couple inches in front of the centerstand.

 

[GrahamD]

I'm building a dolly for the S10. I'll be using it as a part of a lift so maintenance is easier on my older back. I need to get a rough estimate for where the center of gravity is located. The easiest way to do this is to weigh the bike one wheel at a time. My bathroom scale only goes up to 280 so that's out. Any of you weighed your S10 one wheel at a time?

I recently bought some scales just for that purpose.

My understanding is it is close to 50/50 longitudinal. as shipped, so 130Kg / 130Kg +/- 10%

 

[Checkswrecks]

Thanks for the offer.


If you are building a dolly, you want it strong enough for each end to support the full empty weight as a minimum. It's not massively more material and can save the bike from falling. Probably on you.


btw - The Pep Boys lifts occasionally are normally $239 but are regularly $200 or less if you watch for their coupons and sales. Like now.

I don't care what Pep Boys says, they are NOT safe to hold a 500# motorcycle without modification. However, the mod is easy. Use 2" angle iron from the hardware store to attach the ramp to the bed. I first did it with 1.25" and it was just a little too small but worked as shown here.

 

[ejy712]

I recently bought some scales just for that purpose.

My understanding is it is close to 50/50 longitudinal. as shipped, so 130Kg / 130Kg +/- 10%

Thanks GrahamD. That is close enough for what I need to do. I have figured out an easy way to get a fairly accurate CG if I need to.

Most of the time I am just going to use the lift. I lift by the bash pan which frees up the wheels for removal. And I can get to most everything I need to get to for normal maintenance.

When I need to get at the engine (like valve checking) I need to remove the bash pan. Hence the need for the dolly. The dolly will serve other purposes as it is castored. I can move the bike up against the back wall without lots of manuvering.

This is also a father/son project. My son likes to weld so we can have some fun together...

 

[Checkswrecks]

I was asked about the mod to the Pep Boys lift. I bolted a piece of angle iron to the top of the deck, straddling what had been the hinge for the ramp. The iron is visible at the edge.


The ramp no longer drops to the floor as the lift goes up, instead hovering about 2" above the ground. It's the height of putting a scrap of 2x6 under the end of the ramp when loading the bike.


BTW - You need to check every bolt and cotter pin when you get the lift. I had some loose in the box and others able to fall out.

 

[Koinz]

I was asked about the mod to the Pep Boys lift. I bolted a piece of angle iron to the top of the deck, straddling what had been the hinge for the ramp. The iron is visible at the edge.


The ramp no longer drops to the floor as the lift goes up, instead hovering about 2" above the ground. It's the height of putting a scrap of 2x6 under the end of the ramp when loading the bike.


BTW - You need to check every bolt and cotter pin when you get the lift. I had some loose in the box and others able to fall out.

Not sure I see the "iron" you mention. Is it behind the white support pole or does it run lengthwise along the stand that's painted red? Pretty good price, but it seem just short to support a full size bike.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Not sure I see the "iron" you mention. Is it behind the white support pole or does it run lengthwise along the stand that's painted red? Pretty good price, but it seem just short to support a full size bike.

The aft end is behind the white pole and the forward end is at about where the bikes shifter is. Again, this was the 1.25" angle iron and slightly bent, so go with the 2".
The bike on it is surprisingly solid. As with any stand, note the red tie-down strap from the crash bar to the edge of the bed.