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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Many Vision-Riders do their own minor and major maintenance. What tools and equipment did you buy (or already own and use) to work on the Vision?
I am thinking that 8 mm and 10 mm T-Handle ball end hex tools would be nice for seat and dash removal. A small plastic wedge used pry off the instrument cluster without scratching the speaker area works very well.
I think I remember someone mentioned a 10 mm ratcheting wrench for engine fairing removal.
What is the size of the hex that holds on the front tire?
What type of lift do you use? Is one needed?
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | The front axle uses a 14 MM allen. You can get by with only one, just let the pinch bolts hold the axle while you remove the threaded piece.
A good set of 3/8 drive and 1/4 drive sockets ranging from 8mm to 19 will pretty much take care of anything you will need to do. Anything else you can buy as you need such as the axle nut or anyof the large nuts that retain the drive sprocket on the transmission of primary drive parts. If i think of anything else, i will let you know. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Rear axle is 27mm. I have to go buy a box wrench for it. A socket fits, but not with a ratchet/handle. I guess if you wanted to torque it to specs you have to drop the swingarm. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I use a Craftsman lift and it doesn't life the bike evenly, even with the jack positioned to the rear most section of the frame. Not to thread hijack, but I would be curious to know how you guys are lifting your bike. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
Plainfield Illinois | ScoreBo - 2008-09-15 12:10 PM I use a Craftsman lift and it doesn't life the bike evenly, even with the jack positioned to the rear most section of the frame. Not to thread hijack, but I would be curious to know how you guys are lifting your bike. As per previous reccomendations by others on this site, I bought one of these. I drive the Vision right up on it and strap it down. It works great. http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Pro-Cycle-XLT-DT-Lift-p/tpprocycle-dt-fslash-tpxlt-kit.htm Regards...... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Well a jack is a tool, so it isn't really hijacking. I put mine on a craftsman motorcycle lift this past weekend. Was not comfortable with it at all. Decided the belt adjustment could wait to I come up with a more secure jack. $944 for a bike lift is not an option for me, even if I did have the space for it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 296
Central Florida | dwhite28 - 2008-09-15 8:16 AM
The front axle uses a 14 MM allen. You can get by with only one, just let the pinch bolts hold the axle while you remove the threaded piece.
A good set of 3/8 drive and 1/4 drive sockets ranging from 8mm to 19 will pretty much take care of anything you will need to do. Anything else you can buy as you need such as the axle nut or anyof the large nuts that retain the drive sprocket on the transmission of primary drive parts. If i think of anything else, i will let you know.
Front axle is actually a 16MM... Sears only sells it as part of a 3 pc set 15,16, 18 mm |
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | excuse me on the error on the Vision Front axle. I had just changed fork fluid on a Vegas last week and the 14mm was stuck in my head.
I would highly suggest visiting you local pawn shops for tools. You can get quality tools for alot less money. And all craftsman, snap-on, Mac and everyother you can think of does not care where you bought it if you need it replaced. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 68
Cabot Arkansas | also a 5/8 allen wrench will work on the front axel. also i have used an 7/16 bolt with two nuts tightened against each other to remove the front axel. a good 1 1/16 crows foot will work on the rear axel |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Does anyone have the Harbor Freight full lift and use it for the Vision?
Here is one for $400 that is foot pump operated. Is it sturdy enough to lift the Vision once every few months for maintenance and service?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91...
Edited by radioteacher 2008-09-16 11:14 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 26
| I don't remember where I saw it, but I saw where somebody cut some wood blocks to the proper shape to fit on their crafstman style lift and up under the Vision to support it properly. Has anybody else seen or heard of this? I cant seem to find it and he had pictures of it also.
OK, I found what I was looking for. Here is the link.
http://vrnetwork.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2194533%3ABlogPost%...
Edited by mdhass 2008-09-16 12:32 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | radioteacher - 2008-09-15 4:16 AM
What tools and equipment did you buy (or already own and use) to work on the Vision?
Just two: Cell phone and credit card. :P |
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Tourer
Posts: 319
| My Vision came with a tool kit and air gauge......The tools are very capable of removing all the fasteners on the bike |
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Billings, MT | Hey Teach. I looked at the Harbour Freight unit. I have been around machine tools fo 15+ years. This unit scares me to put my $20000.00 baby on! I looked for 6 months to find a lift, best one i found is in your backyard. Derek Weaver Co. in Fort Worth, TX has the best lift (I just got it yesterday, already used it under my baby!) http://www.derekweaver.com/update/Pro-Cycle_XLT_Motorcycle_Lifts_Product.aspx?id=6Only my input!
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL |
Toss my worthless two cents in here-
I swear by Pitbull lifts.
Bit long, but let me tell you why...
Years ago I went thru some lifts. Due to size the only option was a jack style lift rather than a full size drive-on lift. Started out with a cheap Harbor Frieght model, way to flimsy, would have a hard time holding a kids dirtbike. Took it back and purchased the next best model they had, much sturdier, however still pretty tipsy-turvy, even with the bike strapped down. Then I decided to do a bit of research and went out and purchased a Stinger brand lift, much more sturdier than the Harbor Frieght models, especially with the bike strapped down. But still not quite sturdy enough though, if the bike wasn't positioned on the lift almost perfectly it would still be a bit tipsy.
Then I went to a bike show in Chicago. Came across a booth where they were selling lifts. They had a Harley Ultra up on a lift, nice and high. The sales guy was ratlling off words faster than the human ear can listen. Then the salesman mounted the Ultra. I'm thinking "this should be good, the fricken idiot is gonna tip over" and...much to my amazement...the bike didn't move at all, not even a flinch. I was fairly impressed with this stunt. Next thing I know he has one of his fellow salespeople mount the Ultra and stand on the floorboard. Again, ZERO movement. By now I'm changing from fairly impressed to pretty amazed. And then comes the "but wait, theres more" moment. He has another salesperson mount the Ultra and stand on the other floorboard. Now...finally...the bike moved...about 1/4" or so. And now get this...all three salespeople started bouncing around a bit. And the bike moved some more, now up to about 1/2" of movement...if that. Oh, all of this these stunts were performed WITHOUT the bike strapped down at all whatsoever. Well needless to say...I changed from pretty amazed over to HOLY FRICKEN CRAP I GOTTA HAVE THIS LIFT !!!!
It ran about $390 or so. And since then I have had 100% zero qualms about mounting any of my bikes or friends bikes on it. It has performed flawlessly. Not even a quiver of movement whatsoever. And trust me...it has had some heavy bikes on it. And we've done some major wrenching on these bikes.
The way I look at it is why attempt to save money on something you are going to trust with a major investment?
And before you wonder. I have zero investment in the company that makes Pitbull lifts. I could care less if you ever buy one or not.
They are available at http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/
You can purchase solely on my gleaming perhaps over the top review or do your own research and see what you want to go with.
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I'm not as worried about the $20,000 bike as the hospital bill if the bike falls on me. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Lotzafun - 2008-09-17 12:07 PM
Toss my worthless two cents in here-
I swear by Pitbull lifts.
Bit long, but let me tell you why...
Years ago I went thru some lifts. Due to size the only option was a jack style lift rather than a full size drive-on lift. Started out with a cheap Harbor Frieght model, way to flimsy, would have a hard time holding a kids dirtbike. Took it back and purchased the next best model they had, much sturdier, however still pretty tipsy-turvy, even with the bike strapped down. Then I decided to do a bit of research and went out and purchased a Stinger brand lift, much more sturdier than the Harbor Frieght models, especially with the bike strapped down. But still not quite sturdy enough though, if the bike wasn't positioned on the lift almost perfectly it would still be a bit tipsy.
Then I went to a bike show in Chicago. Came across a booth where they were selling lifts. They had a Harley Ultra up on a lift, nice and high. The sales guy was ratlling off words faster than the human ear can listen. Then the salesman mounted the Ultra. I'm thinking "this should be good, the fricken idiot is gonna tip over" and...much to my amazement...the bike didn't move at all, not even a flinch. I was fairly impressed with this stunt. Next thing I know he has one of his fellow salespeople mount the Ultra and stand on the floorboard. Again, ZERO movement. By now I'm changing from fairly impressed to pretty amazed. And then comes the "but wait, theres more" moment. He has another salesperson mount the Ultra and stand on the other floorboard. Now...finally...the bike moved...about 1/4" or so. And now get this...all three salespeople started bouncing around a bit. And the bike moved some more, now up to about 1/2" of movement...if that. Oh, all of this these stunts were performed WITHOUT the bike strapped down at all whatsoever. Well needless to say...I changed from pretty amazed over to HOLY FRICKEN CRAP I GOTTA HAVE THIS LIFT !!!!
It ran about $390 or so. And since then I have had 100% zero qualms about mounting any of my bikes or friends bikes on it. It has performed flawlessly. Not even a quiver of movement whatsoever. And trust me...it has had some heavy bikes on it. And we've done some major wrenching on these bikes.
The way I look at it is why attempt to save money on something you are going to trust with a major investment?
And before you wonder. I have zero investment in the company that makes Pitbull lifts. I could care less if you ever buy one or not.
They are available at http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/
You can purchase solely on my gleaming perhaps over the top review or do your own research and see what you want to go with.
Does the Pit Bull work on the Vision "out of the box", or did you have to provide some sort of additional support (wood blocks, etc.)? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Unless I was doing something wrong, my Craftsman motorcycle jack worked just fine lifting my Vision and held sturdy. There seems to be 4 bumps on the bottom of the engine the rubber pads line up with and then I strap it down through the eyelets and the rear tip overs, no problem. Also, that hex for the front axle is also a 5/8th and I got the single piece from Craftsman. What's in my tool bag:
1) Medium Visegrips
2) Small needle nose Visegrips
3) Two very small visegrip style pliers, reg and needle nose.
4) Needlenose pliers, long
5) Needlenose pliers, short
6) Knife
7) The tools that came with the bike, toss the air gauge.
8) One of those accurate dial air gauges that clips inline so you can keep the gauge attach and fill with air.
9) Cheap electric air pump, got he plug adapter to work with the vision.
10) 10mm socket with extension and 3/8 ratchet.
11) 5/8th hex for front axle nut
12) 27mm for rear axle, I haven't added that yet but will for the Texas Trip.
14) Harley essential #1: bailing wire
15) Harley essential #2: Electrical Tape
16) Trickle charger
17) Rags
18) Tie-down straps
19) Tie-down eyelets for the front tip-overs.
20) Adjustable wrench
21) Small flat tip screwdriver
22) Small phillips
23) Spare licence plate light bulbs.
I might have missed something but that should be pretty close.
I also carry and nice little first ad kit I picked up from wal-mart that has about a little of everything. I could handle a serious spill with plenty of gauze and tape, antibotics and so on. Even got anti-acid B.C. powders and motrin. Keep at least one bottle of water. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Chris, for #14, I carry the plastic tie strips and for #15, 200 mph duct tape.  |
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