Africa Twin is NOT HEAVY - with a Ratchet Lift Tool

Can’t get it up? This is my solution. Ratchet lift.
In my previous vid I failed to lift the Africa Twin. This time its easy.
I build a lift tool similar to this commercially available one
eastbound.shop...

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Note this was inspired by the Eastbound product. I’ve left a link in the description to their lift.

[@BikenutGB]

Show off, I'm just going to marry a big girl, that'll work lol 🤪🤣

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Hmm. That sounds like a beaut idea.

[@johnbailey2824]

In a world where a lot of people up to a lot of no good, Adrian's Vids and superlative efforts at constructing eclectic items is truly a breath of fresh air. I too, love the feeling of making things & feeling the great sense of satisfaction at a job well done. So pleased you are enjoying the Africa Twin.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Very kind of you. Yes, it’s special when you can make rather than buy.

[@edking3427]

Fine workmanship with the lathe and welder. Ride on, ride safe.

[@fixento]

I set on African Twin, it was top heavy and with that it's weight, I would never be able to pick it up. I bought a CB500X instead, totaled it on gravel road last fall and now I own a Transalp 750. At 80, I can pick both of them up. If you can't pick up your bike alone don't off road by yourself, regardless if have pole with a ratchet. .

[@baldandbiking]

The ATAS is very top heavy. The Harleys are more like a plumb bob that just rolls up like a weeble or a punching bag. There are some different techniques to try when lifting. I haven't tried them all but I did take mine into the back yard and lift it the conventional ways. It took all my strength to do it. I'm tempted to do it again this summer and try some different ideas to see how it goes in a controlled environment. Im a strong believer that if you can't lift your own bike you should be looking at getting a smaller one. Also trying to keep in shape before a big trip is a big help.

[@1Witcomb]

Very impressive. Boy how I'd love to have a shed like that!! My only criticism (meant constructively of course) would be to have a bigger foot. There's a good chance you would come off on soft ground and the downward force on the foot may sink it into the ground. Well done!!

[@pg41226]

3:12 😂 thanks for using MM’s, greets from the Netherlands 😎 where 300mm is two 🧀

[@CJ3B1]

That is clever & wonderful engineering. Thank you for sharing.

[@FirstLightAdv]

I built something similar for my heavy KLR out of bunnings pipe. However these heavy bikes still gives me the creeps when 1) riding alone 2) dropped on a hill and 3) You end up under it.

[@andrewredden168]

Well done, great to see you making this, from Cornwall uk 👍🏻

[@Coolhand99au]

Hi there I agree with your video If your going to drop your AT its going to be at low speed when you get caught out and cant put your feet down to the ground. Once it starts to tip you cant hold the top heavy weight I have already made a lift jack like yours and it works OK . What I would suggest is to modify the handle of the jack to add a aluminium extension tube to make jacking easier

[@kalaharimine]

Very clever, you found a new use for a gym or derrick pole that we use to put up structural steel. It does kind of indicate that the AT, and other +1000 cc bike are just too heavy for the rough. BTW the first problem you'll have is getting your foot un-trapped, ask me how I know.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. Getting trapped can be an issue. But I’ve ridden road bikes and dirt bikes for over 50 yrs and haven’t got trapped yet. Maybe I bail out too early! 🤔

[@dbmiller5881]

there's a video out there of a guy who "simulated" being trapped, and worked through this whole lift process while under his bike. Lesson being - try to store the jack where it could be accessible if you were stuck under the bike!

[@sandwaves5642]

looks very nice !!! Hopefully you don't need to challenge this lifter too much, but yes - make 'nd SELL these ☝☝😀- I't's already a NEW design.... so 🤷🏻‍♂

[@steveyountz1757]

Very clever. Couldn't you just put a hook from the ratchet strap into the tube and forgo mounting it all together?

[@SsiolisP]

Nice bike. Really nice bike! What a great looking bike!!! Man, what a gorgeous bike!

[@chuckwilson2301]

Cool bike and neat project, also great machine tools too!

[@3goldfinger]

Just made one from stuff I already had on hand, old crutches from Lifeline, ratchet I had a few of, so no cost to me. Haven't tried it yet with my Himalayan, but should work. Fits in a 90mm PVC pipe on the bike.

[@arsenvokrug4198]

Nice work, Sir! Really impressed but I hope I never need one (since I haven’t got one).

[@terrystratford1235]

I personally would buy this from you! Any thoughts of mass production of your product?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

See the link in the description of where to buy a similar unit that I copied mine from.

[@terrystratford1235]

@HondaNC750XStuff I know there are kits very similar! Just wondering if you thought about doing it yourself? Very impressed with your shed and your ability! I look forward to your next video!

[@davidwilliams5942]

I'm afraid all you have done is to convince me that the AT is to big and to heavy you did not need any of that with the NC I will be keeping my NC it's the perfect bike not to big and not to small it's fast enough and does 80mpg 😊😊😊

[@mully89]

Nice bit of creativity there, top job 👍

[@bmeasia]

Nice. But I prefer doing gym work so I have no problem lifting the bike. :)

[@TRAVERSE_ADV]

Its only heavy after the 5th lift in a row on the side of a mountain 1000m above sea level in the sun on a 35 degree day.

[@brianhoward9217]

Well done! I didn't think it would work but happily ya proved me wrong!

[@stevefalzon2885]

I love your jack I have a 1200 triumph could I buy one from you. Cheers

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. But mine was a one-off.

[@crispernator]

Gday mate your a clever man and you have the right tools for the job you think your welds are crap you havent seen mine take care .

[@dbmiller5881]

absolutely excellent! I also have an Africa Twin DCT - and my two biggest concerns riding offroad alone are dropping it (picking it up) in less than ideal situations, and getting it stuck somewhere. I have similar tools, and I'm sure I could build one. Very inspiring project! Now I'm wondering... in a "worst case scenario" would there be some way to expand on this "tool" (mainly the ratchet and strap) with a synthetic rope... to create a manual winch? I'm thinking in most cases, if you get stuck, pulling a few feet is all you usually need...

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Don’t see why not. Just needs a creative brain

[@doppel-r9595]

a "stair lift" for the enduro motorcycle - it is a little bit funny - but very well crafted

[@gregwinkler8558]

We old geezers come up with a way. My brother is hobby machinist and he built me a bike jack as well. We used fence post top rail instead of aluminum. My ratchet is also one of the self winding ones, the strap winds upon itself and stays contained on a spool. It's not as heavy duty as yours but will do the job.

[@lawrieyoutube4375]

Always satisfying watching someone do competent neat work. That's why I keep my eyes closed whenever I build anything.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha! Funny

[@hair2050]

😂😂😂, oh dear. You are enjoying your new toy and that’s what matters most 😎

[@amongoth1907]

the outtakes are so great! well done!

[@kamillop.7842]

Great Job ! Now you can go everywhere alone ;)

[@jameshanna8762]

Brilliant! Thanks, for sharing your talent.

[@allistairneil8968]

squre tube is better. Stronger and lighter. I made one too.

[@scottanderson3194]

Does anyone manufacture/market equipment like this in Australia?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Don’t believe so. Very small market.

[@andrevanduren9045]

Wonderful, I admire your skills 🇳🇱

[@davidwenk8216]

Thank you for the video! I just bought the Eastbound MotoWinch today (waiting for shipment). I bought it knowing that I did not want to lift my 2021 Africa Twin ES DCT from the throttle grip and you just showed me how - very grateful. I’ve got the full set of Outback Motortek crash bars that I can anchor the strap to on either side - should be a piece of cake to pick up the bike. Can wait to practice in my backyard when the lift arrives!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

It’s a good “peace of mind” thing. And agree you should practice first. I haven’t had to use mine for real yet. But good to know it’s there as a last resort when riding alone.

[@theperson7718]

Well done sir. You're getting really good ant making things for you bike.

[@henrygerwien186]

Big compliments on producing the winch parts by yourself! I have so much fun to look at this!!! Congrats to a really fine work!!! In August I.m 70 and I try to keep in good helath, but a/this winch is really helpful on solo rides! Thx for all, Henry

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate appreciate that. It may look like a lot of faff to use but is good peace of mind as a last resort for me when riding alone.

[@aussie807]

My latest lesson (58 yrs) is that even though I can pick the bike up ordinarily (BMW 750GS) that doesn't count when you hurt yourself in the drop. My last run, dropped it in sand on downhill bend at 30kph, sprained ankle and knee and couldn't put weight on it...fortunately got help, but agree with you re making of your own winch...thanks for the vid.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Agree. Weight is relative. I think we get too hung up on weight specs and ignore your exact example. Best to ride with others no matter the weight of your bike.

[@esbenifversen3840]

Hi Adrian. I've just can't help my self, but I have to say it out loud. You should have kept the NC. Would have been easier!!! 😂 Greatings from Denmark. By the way I love watching your videos 😂

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Of course you are absolutely correct. But as explained many times - I’m an idiot ! And you can’t fix stupid. 😢

[@MrMountaincycle]

Very impressive, thanks for sharing, sir! I see you used 300mm long tubing, but what is the size I/D or O/D you used?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

3mm wall thickness, 36mm OD

[@JumpersJim]

Love your vids and fluffing Adrian. However I have to think the NC was a more suitable bike for us old Farts and I hope you are not regretting the recent change. Can you just talk me through the US banana to millimetres conversion system again?😂

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Yes the NC is a much wiser choice. Sadly I’m not wise as I’m absolutely loving the AT after 4,000km so far.

[@RichardO-y6j]

Man, how I enjoyed watching that. Not even remotely being critical, just wondered if the bolts holding the ratchet onto the pipe are a bit on the small side? That's obviously a critical juncture and it would be disastrous if one of the bolts broke.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Reasonable question. But the bolts are stainless and have a sheer-strength of many tonnes. So no problem there.

[@ff2346cookson]

Brilliant and ingenious....👍

[@robertgregory8964]

I made a roller from a high tensiile machined bolt (with a pretty accurate round shank for a bearing surface) and a flanged bush made of ertalyte which is a strong and low friction plastic. Joiners from 2011 alloy which is highly machinable with reasonably high tensile strength and easy to obtain.

[@henrygerwien186]

... and now?

[@richardgiles2484]

Well done mate 👏 👍 and I did skip forward as I don't have the tools or the skill to make one myself 😂😂 well worth having for peace of mind

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. It’s really a “peace of mind” thing as I expect it will be rarely used.

[@marklanders630]

But now I won't have an excuse to buy a small, lightweight dual sport.😃

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. Only wimps ride small light bikes!

[@raratate]

Your a clever man, well done

[@spiritusinfinitus]

Wow! Well done, that's one well engineered piece of kit. The worst place I found myself stuck with the bike on the ground was going up a heavily ridged stoney, rocky lane. Just had one last bit to get up and that's the bit that got me. No matter what angle I tried I couldn't lift the bike. It was on a steep upward and sideways slope. Would love to see your gadget have a go at something more extreme like that (maybe not on your shiny new AT though!) I reckon it'd work a treat! Luckily in my case, after about 45 minutes of struggling, a bloke (by chance a hardened motocross rider) walking his dog happened to come by and save my day.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Yep. An extra pair of hands are always better than the best gadget.

[@Rinkydink73274]

Brilliant well done..

[@carr869]

Nice clean build. Well done mate. Thanks for taking the time to make and share this video with us. Tom

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks. The sad fact is my strength is fading as I get older but my brain still operates as if I’m still 15!

[@carr869]

I know that feeling

[@carr869]

You’ve inspired me to make one for my sportster.

[@onlinemaster]

as usual good work 👌

[@mc0974]

Brilliant as always!

[@grahamglencorse307]

That’s going straight to the Pool Room! Made in Australia 🦘

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks Graham. Haven’t seen you at Jerry’s for a while. Hope you are still riding that beast of yours.

[@GurrasGarage]

Great job 👍👍

[@ianbishop5951]

Brilliant job.

[@andreasneophytos9493]

Bravo! Well done

[@thorstentrapp274]

Great job, mate.

[@nickexarheas2880]

Yes it is heavy.

[@halfSpinDoctor]

Super cool!

[@loveloch6140]

very nice ,

[@lesbishop7016]

Great video Adrian, I will endeavour not to be envious of your shed workshop..... great idea, good piece of kit and it works well at first test..... You may need some anti-slip material on the foot should it need to be used on anything other than a soft(ish) surface! My NT1100 has rested on its side a few times and I can safely say that when it is loaded for touring, IT IS HEAVY! I may have to devise alternative methods of getting it back upright as I gain more..... maturity. Ten out of ten for that bit of kit though!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. I’ve found from other experiences that aluminium checker plate is quite grippy even on a hard surface. Don’t know about concrete but I don’t think I’ll lie it down on that when there is no help around.

[@lesbishop7016]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Good point Adrian, but then.... all three of my NT's rests were on either tarmac or just about on tarmac... at least one of which it did on it own! Keep these vlogs coming, especially the out-takes, hilarious and yet familiar....

[@kaykay8686]

Well done!

[@tigerzzff]

WTF

[@betruly7894]

Many thanks for your great work and ingenuity 👍👌 Think to have a patent around this brilliant idea. You will become rich in no time as all Harley riders will pick up immediately one kit. Next Harley-D will incorporate it in each touring bike they will sell. I ride a Touring Sportster but still can pick it up alone no problem when it fall because I did not secure that stupid kick stand, a pain on the sportsters models.

[@bettybluey2712]

Beautiful job! Good thinking to make the ratchet work with downward pressure👏

[@michaelota5167]

That is awesome craftsmanship. Excellent video!

[@Matt-vo1ge]

Did you try out the Saxton Motorcycle Recovery technique?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

No haven’t heard of it.

[@Matt-vo1ge]

@HondaNC750XStuff worth a search on KZbin - but again, what you've done out of your workshop 👍 awesome 👌

[@ronboe6325]

Pretty dang slick. I've seen this but never been tempted to get one. My CB1100 are heavy but the center of gravity is pretty low (like inseams, center of gravity is more important than total weight - or your total height). In the CB's favor, the case savers typically prevent the bike from being totally flat. Once you balance the bike on the case savers and tires you're half way home. Not unlike a Goldwing. Full marks for building that! :bow:

[@kennyg4744]

Fantastic. I dont have engineering skills, but I do love a bit of home made ingenuity. Well done.

[@jolyonjackson6595]

Excellent piece of kit! Congratulations on a job well done. Safe riding pal.

[@maxw576]

As a fellow welding and machining hobbyist... nice work! Very cool of you to link to the company whose product you used for inspiration!

[@HuskyRides]

The way you designed it seems 10x more sturdy/solid than what Eastbound sells.. Great job! This is exactly what i meant in the previous video! Now u only gotta find a way to lift it when it's fallen over in a puddle of mud.. then the foot will sink into the ground. Perhaps some kind of thick rubber balloon kind of thing you can inflate and makes itself a large contact surface? The same things they use to lift cars up a bit..

[@jasgsxr2726]

Really enjoyed watching the manufacturing process 👍

[@keithallan8200]

Extremely impressive. Great build and a useful piece of kit.

[@davidrochow9382]

I'll take one please for my XJ 900 as that thing weighs a ton.👍

[@rocketron6677]

That’s spot on. May be also have a small block of wood for use on soft ground!

[@poiro01]

As we say here in France : "C'est du super boulot !"

[@StefanoLandi]

That was absolutely brilliant! Thank you!

[@marcuspotts7221]

I doff my cap to your engineering skill. Seeing the work you put in (which I don't have the skill or equipment to replicate) makes the Eastbound product look like good value. Lovely piece of work. I ride a 2020 ATAS and have only had to pick it up once. I'm 5'8" 173cm with fairly chunky thighs and with a bit of puffing and panting combined with adrenaline I managed it. But at 62 thats maybe not going to happen again. I also have a 2002 R1150GS bmw which I've had for 20 years and its much easier to pick up despite being heavier........but the sticky out cylinders mean it dosen't quite fall all the way over. 😁

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Agree. The Eastbound product is a reasonable price.

[@marcgeorge4145]

I made a lift a couple of years ago for my Indian Roadmaster and patterned it after one made by Motobikejack here on n I he US, they want $300 USD for theirs. I’m 71 and a retired motorcycle policeman so I have to watch the costs. You gave me some good ideas to improve my jack. I just can’t let ft the big boys like did in my 40s. You did a beautiful job. You may consider cutting your strap down so the take up doesn’t get so full, it can cause problems.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Yes the strap did need shortening.

[@slowkite72]

great video and great craftsmanship!

[@XORBob]

Don't miss with the old guys with good tools.

[@jeffarnie]

Now that’s clever. Beyond the abilities of the average rider but just shows what can be done. You know the saying, “ I love work, I could sit and watch it for hours”, well that’s me when it comes to watching clever people like you.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Hmm. Too kind. But I like watching proper competent blokes make stuff too. Way more satisfying than buying.

[@regularguy9264]

I’d call that contraption “Viagra.” It may be an artificial way of lifting the bike, but boy does it get it up! Impressive build. Pretty brilliant actually.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha! Nice observation. Made me laugh. Thanks.

[@RayRicDay]

Incredible work & very useful video. I don’t know if my recommendation from the other side of the planet to use the Motowinch of Eastbound inspired you to do this video, but I am very happy to see that you are helping people to enjoy their rides safer. Congratulations

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. It was my inspiration. I left a link to Eastbound in the description as not everyone can build their own.

[@tasaheel131]

Necessity is the mother of invention.👍

[@sippydumdum]

Great job and yes, we can tell that you're retired. Great isn't it. Your coments on the weight of the bike has a lot to do with where the weight is. Having lifted an AT with the weight up high is a lot harder than an Honda ST that I lifted which was as light as a feather. Haven't lifted my NC yet but I suspect that it will be fairly easy.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. The NC is easier. But no light weight either. I’ve done a vid on lifting it.

[@ADVRydrBloke]

Well done mate. Made it look very easy. All I could suggest to improve on it is a plate of some sort to give the foot a wider footprint if you find the ground soft and the jack sinks into it..

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Hmm. I think the plate that I welded on it is large enough. 🤔

[@assessor1276]

Very nicely done mate!

[@willex13]

Hello, great idea, one question for you, why don't you use a permanent split pin? You don't have to put the screw into the thread, it wouldn't be so cumbersome, especially off-road, where the screw falls down into the dirt and then it becomes difficult to thread.greetings alex

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Hmm. It’s an option. But in reality this tool is a “safety blanket” that will be rarely used.

[@willex13]

Remember, oh I've lost the screw in the mud, where is it? An hour later .....Oh found it, but the whole screw is full of mud, remember what I said 😂@@AfricaTwin-Stuff

[@groundhornbill]

Geez. I knew that this video was coming. Can't keep a determined man down. Well done, Adrian. I'd love to know what your profession was before you retired. You really seem to know what you're doing 😊

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thank mate. Profession? Computer business software consultant ! Learned my so-called skills watching KZbins and making lots of mistakes.

[@groundhornbill]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff I think all would agree that you could have been an engineer too.

[@RicardoAlbertoM]

What happens when your foot gets trapped under the motorcycle in a fall... it has happened to me several times on my nc750 and I always need help to get out, any idea ?, greetings and very good work!!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Can’t help. Even all my years riding dirt bikes I’ve never trapped myself under any bike. Just lucky I guess.

[@ronboe6325]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff I was trapped once on my first off road trip with my XR650L, bike and I leaning down hill. Luckily I was riding with a buddy and he rescued me. I think eventually I could have freed myself but it was kinda ugly.

[@stevef8763]

Very nicely done. 👏

[@deltaskyhawk]

I bought the Eastbound kit to help pickup my bike and anybody else's heavy bike.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Good move. I would have bought from them too if I wasn’t such a tight ar&@

[@BlueAlgon]

Bravo! I'm glad you posted this. This gives a hope to my riding that I can buy a heavier bike and still lift it - of course, purchasing a made lift. One disappointment, though. With these manufacturing skills, how come you don't ride your DIY bike? As for your next video, please use the lift in a real-world scenario, on a gravel or dirt road. These ideal conditions are not true tests.