Boxerworks.com

Swapping a license plate from one bike to another is a real cost saver, but frowned on by some, I have come to find out.

I bought the following lift, which included that jack you show

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Photo ... ROCYCLE-DT

I've been unable to use the jack as delivered, as the frame rails are either too high up from the bottom of the motor, or blocked by something else. I generally roll the bike onto the lift, lock the wheel with the clamp, then use the jack with just a board as a cushion on the oil pan. This allows me to lift either front or rear wheel, however the bike was rolled up on the lift. I find the "drop tail" feature quite useful, so you don't have to lift the bike much to get the rear tire out. I've had no problems with this lift so far. Had it for about 3 years.

Seth wrote:. . . I generally roll the bike onto the lift, lock the wheel with the clamp, then use the jack with just a board as a cushion on the oil pan. This allows me to lift either front or rear wheel, however the bike was rolled up on the lift. I find the "drop tail" feature quite useful, so you don't have to lift the bike much to get the rear tire out. . . .

The Harbor Freight has a little hatch where the rear wheel is. I thought that was a great idea until I tried it. The hole exposed just doesn't work as good as it looks. I had to jack up the bike to remove the rear wheel. With the front wheel secured and front tie downs in place the bike can be jacked up OK. It's just not as straightforward as I expected.


Ken

I got this one...



https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Produ ... Code=A349#

...but at a little over half price from new. Owned by an older retiring motorcyclist that used it to work on his trailie.

Pick up over the weekend. Thanks for all the thoughts, and to Grant for the heads up.

Now, if only I can avoid the need to use it, then I will be happy.

That looks like a good lift Steve, and a hell'va deal.

It looks to be air actuated? I wonder if it is the same lift that BradB got "accidently" from Harbor Freight. The front wheel vice looks to be actually useful, as opposed to the vice that came with my "foot pump" Harbor Freight lift.


Ken

I have a little Sears lift that I bought new $99 USD.
I think with a little prudence ANYTHING is better than nuthin'.

Thats the same as mine Steve and you won't stop using it......lol
My wheel clamp is a little different ( yours looks better) and I added a little extension to the front of mine so that when one lifts the bike onto the centre stand, the front wheel lines up with the clamp.
Sterob

Thanks Sterob. I really hope I never have to use it, but we all know that won't be the case.

I'd be keen to read a few "do's and don't's" that apply to using such a lift.

SteveD wrote:I'd be keen to read a few "do's and don't's" that apply to using such a lift.

Not a lot really. Here are a handful that I've come up with.

Don't:
Lift the bike without a couple tie downs--unless you have a reason to. My Harbor Freight lift feels a bit shaky going up and down, and doesn't feel all that stable up.

Don't:
Don't roll the lift around with the bike on it. This may be OK with the bike tied down.


Do:
Use the safety bar preventing the lift from an accidental or mechanical failure lowering. A non-safety thing to do would be to then lower the lift to the safety bar, thus taking pressure off the hydraulic cylinder. My chief worry about the lift will be that the seal in the hydraulic cylinder or the pump valve will fail under prolonged pressure.

Do:
Build or buy a better front wheel vise (my harbor freight lift anyhow). I've never used the supplied vice because it looks untrustworthy, and frankly chintzy. I modified a Harbor Freight "rocking" wheel holder to bolt on and take off the platform. There will be times when you don't want a chock at all, such as removing the front wheel. In a case like that I'll use 4 tie downs with the bike on its centerstand.

Do:
Add some tie down points by drilling through the floor of the lift and adding some 3/8" short eyebolts.

Do:
Build an extension for the little front wheel stop supplied with the lift. This will allow the bike to be better centered when you lift it on its center stand.

Do:
Build a 3/4" plywood top for the lift. Now you have a variable height bench. Better yet, use 2x6 boards around the perimeter to raise the top. This will make your new bench even handier. Be sure to varnish your creation so it'll look nice.

Do:
Take your wife or girl friend for a "ride" on the lift. Giggles are fun.


Ken

I've found the stability of my concrete floor to be quite reassuring.
Also, parts have less distance to fall to the ground.

And my kids would only use a bike lift for a jump or somethin'

And bike lifts seem to only come in red.

And my bike has been behaving itself for quite some time now, and, and, how much was that lift Steve? hmmmm.