Moving a bike in tight quarters - Centerstand dolly

[pekingduck]

From another thread, several people have commented about the difficulty of turning a bike around in tight quarters, or putting it on the centerstand. This is a 2-part problem, and I'll first look at maneuvering in tight quarters.

I always park my bike on the centerstand, and a couple of them are where space is at a premium, with a door that only opens to 32", so it's fairly easy to ride it in, but hard to back it out. So I use centerstand dollies to turn them around once inside.

I first park the bike on the sidestand, slide the dolly into position with my right foot, straighten the bike up, and lift the bike up with the centerstand atop the dolly. Then I can slide it sideways, or if I push down on the back of the seat or rack, spin it around easily. You can find Venom motorcycle dollies on Amazon for $65.

I can park bikes closer, putting 3 in the space of 2. They do make it a little harder to put the bike up on the centerstand, but there is an easy cure for that.

I also use sidestand dollies, like the one from Harbor Freight. They are easier to roll on and off, are really well thought out and made, but take up a little more room when not in use. About $100 or less, (don't forget the 20% off coupons).

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The second issue of difficulty putting the bike up on the centerstand can be eased by reducing the height you have to lift it. On my Triumph Bonneville, there was a 2" gap under the rear tire. I installed the 1" longer Thruxton shocks, and now the centerstand is effortless, it just rolls on up (and steers better too). But without having to resort to longer shocks/taller tires, you can just use a thick piece of board or equivalent under front or rear tire.

Most of us with garages have a set area a certain bike lives. If the rear tire has a 2" gap under it when on the centerstand, having a 1"-1-1/2" thick board or plywood square where the front wheel will be rolled onto will greatly lessen the effort needed.

[Inhouse Bob]

Thanks for this. Though I don't need the dolly, the tip about putting a block under the wheel is sweet. I have never been able to get this bike onto the center stand without help. I am just not heavy enough to get it moving.

[Cormanus]

That's interesting, Bob. I'm not much heavier than you and I only have trouble when it's fully laden.

[pekingduck]

Any modifications such as lower-profile tires, shorter shocks, or fork tubes slid up in the triple clamps will make it harder. So will uneven ground where the centerstand is at a higher point than the wheels.

[Ack-CB11_imp]

I gave up on those after I found these.

Amazing.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGBAWsIg5to

[peterbaron]

Many different solutions are good and make us happy.
I use this one, which already helped me move my bike from a tight spot, while still winterizing, quick and effective, 1,100+ lbs weight capacity.

[KiowaEagle_imp]

Quote: Inhouse Bob: Thanks for this. Though I don't need the dolly, the tip about putting a block under the wheel is sweet. I have never been able to get this bike onto the center stand without help. I am just not heavy enough to get it moving.
It's all in the technique Bob, it's more pushing down with your foot that it is lifting the bike.

[pekingduck]

I gave up on those after I found these.

Amazing.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGBAWsIg5to

Wow, that's pretty interesting, with those omni-directional wheels. A great solution for sidestand-only bikes. A bit pricey at $540, though I wonder if they could have had almost the same results using less expensive regular casters. Hmmm.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Many different solutions are good and make us happy.
I use this one, which already helped me move my bike from a tight spot, while still winterizing, quick and effective, 1,100+ lbs weight capacity.

Peter- that looks VERY sturdy and well built.

Can you give us more info on who / what / where?

Thanks!

[peterbaron]

Many different solutions are good and make us happy.
I use this one, which already helped me move my bike from a tight spot, while still winterizing, quick and effective, 1,100+ lbs weight capacity.

Peter- that looks VERY sturdy and well built.

Can you give us more info on who / what / where?

Thanks!

Peter- that looks VERY sturdy and well built.

Can you give us more info on who / what / where?

Thanks!
Josh, I am extremely happy with those two, for my STD and DLX.
Make sure you ask for 1,100+ lbs weight capacity, as there is a cheeper/skinnier one of 500lbs = not good for our CB.
These won't collapse, including the CB and a rider together.
Very smooth operation across my epoxy garage floor.
Once, I came to an ugly total lock up situation when in hurry the centre stand got entangled with the dolly and needed three people to resolve the sticky issue.







Since then, one has anti skidding rails installed across the dolly and the other one already came with an anti skidding rough application.



Both were made in Canada ....
Both came from Twisted Throttle, Canada and US.
Paid C$300-350 S&H included.

https://admorelighting.com/product/park-n-move/

https://wingstuff.com/products/33789-par...eled-dolly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH15gttw6wM

https://motorcyclemojo.com/2021/07/admore-park-n-move/

Lord Popgun may chime in as he got one from the US