Airhead Lift Advice

[0m3nc0w]

I'm doing a teardown of my '78 R100 and was wondering if I can use this type of lift. It appears the bike would be supported by the exhaust though? Does anyone know if this style lift will work? It's a great deal at $151.99 if you are willing to lift by hand.

Thanks

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[khittner1]

The exhaust system isn't a good lift point; those pipes and their attachment points aren't substantial enough to support the weight of the bike. A substantial block of wood under the oil pan would do the trick. Smarter might be to double your lift budget and go for the Harbor Freight table lift.

[George Ryals]

This lift blocks access to the side of the bike next to the upright part, IMO.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

The exhaust system isn't a good lift point; those pipes and their attachment points aren't substantial enough to support the weight of the bike. A substantial block of wood under the oil pan would do the trick. Smarter might be to double your lift budget and go for the Harbor Freight table lift.

I agree with khittner1 on the Harbor Freight lift. I have been using my H/F lift for something approaching 10 years now with no problems. Having said that I've been half way expecting problems since it is Harbor Freight. Also the lift, while not 'rickety', doesn't fill one with confidence initially. Plus I've long been 'expecting' the hydraulics to fail at some point. In a more objective frame of mind the lift does the job intended, and is so much better than any alternative it is a no brainer.

Toward the 'rear' of the lift there is a removable cover which lifts away to reveal a rectangular 'hole' intended (presumably) to make removal and replacement of a tire/wheel easier. I have found the hole to be less useful than it looks. I modified my lift so that the steel (crossbar and a bit of the diamond plate) can be lifted away. With that done the 'hole' becomes very useful.

The lift is now very useful for another reason. I constructed a 'table top' for it using 3/4" plywood with a 2x4 skirt surrounding the lift. The lift without the motorcycle on it becomes a very useful shop table. Plus you can give your girlfriend a short ride on it up and down. (They didn't find the notion nearly as amusing as I did.)

The lift seems to semi-regularly go on sale at a significant reduction so you want to buy the lift before you 'need' it. Or be lucky to find it on sale when you decide you want it.

Ken

[SteveD]

Get a proper lift. You won't regret it. They're a very helpful thing to have.

[KellyVB 75R90S]

I have had the HF Lift table as well for 10 years, Mine stated not lifting a couple of months ago. Does anyone who has one ever had to rebuild the jack? and if so can you share any details please. I CAN'T be without my lift

[SteveD]

My Made In China version would lift ok, but not lower...it was just a loose nut on the lowering mechanism.

[Bamboo812]

I have had the HF Lift table as well for 10 years, Mine stated not lifting a couple of months ago. Does anyone who has one ever had to rebuild the jack? and if so can you share any details please. I CAN'T be without my lift

Assuming you know the fluid level is topped off, try this; tilt the lift up on the side opposite the pump levers. Partially pump it up while it's on it's side, and then lay it back down. Worked for me...

[john5t]

I use this same lift you are interested in (the Harbor Freight "high position motorcycle lift") for my R50/5.

It works very well but does take some customization to get it supporting the bike at appropriate lift points. I posted about it on another forum a while back, and the thread there shows some evolution in how I support the bike as well as suggestions from others:
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/h ... t-22908770

Since posting that, I have made a front support block similar to what one of the replies there shows -- something to support the front part of the bike on the frame rather than using the oil pan for support. Looks different from what that guy used but does the same thing.

I recommend have some overhead support for a backup in case things slip. I have never needed it but having the chains up there as shown in the last picture of the thread gives some peace of mind.

This is a bit laborious to get the bike up on the lift, positioning the wood blocks, etc. But not that hard and once the bike is there everything is easily accessible -- both wheels, under the bike, oil pan, etc. You can strip the whole bike down if you want and not have to fiddle with anything else. Also it is compact and there is no table under you and in you way when working on the bike.

[George Ryals]

I have a "Chinese" lift table that is operated by a large air cylinder (6" dia.) Had to dismantle once to straighten out the rubber piston ring. been going strong for 15 plus years.