LJ-
what about using a long strap tied to the backhoe and frame, and rolling the bike up and down the stairs. Use the backhoe like a hydraulic wench, just to ease it down step by step, and same on the way back up (but mount the strap low on the frame coming back up, with someone walking it both ways (or if the stairs are wide enough one person on each side to stabilize it)? Swinging it from the bucket just makes me cringe thinking about it. If I WERE going to do this, I'd wrap as much of the frame/body up in heavy blankets, or line the doorway/stairwell with old thin mattresses (like you'd find on a surplus Army cot), just to keep the metal bits from bouncing off of the stone and wood bits!
OH, and GOOD LUCK with that!!!
