Bike lift...opinions sought.

[SteveD]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MOTORCYCLE-SCISS ... 45f747d710

Seems a great price.

Waddya think?

[Ken in Oklahoma]

The bike lift doesn't appeal to me. It would be better if you have a helper always available though.

I imagined myself using the lift. The first thing I noted was that the pads would have to be adjusted to align with the lower frame tubes. I wouldn't want to lift the bike by the exhaust pipes. Adjusting the lift pads would be fiddly because the center stand would be in the way to get them just right (either that or careful measurements would need to be made). You need a helper to stabilize the bike as you adjust the pads.

And when you do get the pads right you probably need a helper to stabilize the bike as you lift it. With the narrow base of the lower frame tubes I would expect the bike to feel "teetery", so much so that I would feel nervous working on it alone. There are many maintenance operations that would require "horseing" things around, things like removing both the front and rear wheels, pulling the trransmission out, and perhaps removing the flywheel. In fact I wouldn't feel all that comfortable doing other things that didn't require so much pushing and tugging on the bike.

I would be loathe to do anything with the bike up in the air without tiedowns holding it firmly to the lift. Something could be fabricated I'm sure, but that also reduces the utility of the lift.

Lifting the bike would be a bit of work in and of itself. You would be bent over or on your knees as you crank away at the screw.

I suspect you would end up doing a lot of maintence things on the bike by sitting or reclining on the floor, simply because "lifting" it would be a greater pain in the ass.

I have one of the ubiquituous Harbor Freight lifts that you've read so much about here on the forum. That lift is what it is with its Chinese origin, but in the balance I would even pay more for it if I had to.

That said, I don't feel comfortable working on a bike on my Harbor Freight lift unless I have 4 tiedowns securing it to the table. I'm thinking that surely that lift, under another name and at perhaps a higher price, would be available somewhere near where you live.


Ken

[John Falconer]

I really don't like it. I bought something similar about seven years ago and TRIED to use it just a couple of times before realizing that it really doesn't suit the needs of an airhead (or maybe any motorcycle) owner. Too unstable, too small, too inconvenient.

What I recently do like is the full-sized roll-aboard lift I bought from Harbor Freight (it was US $279 on sale with a discount coupon). This really makes a difference in maintaining my bikes. Yesterday I replaced the neutral switch on my R100RT in just about 1.5 hours - without ending up with a pain in the back or shivers from lying on the cold floor. Even putting tools away is easier since, if you do it before lowering the rack, they're all right their at chest height, easy to reach and clean.

John Falconer

[bbelk]

I have to go along with the other posters. I bought a similar, but hydrolic jack from harbor freight. the only time I have seen my R90 on its side was when it fell of that lift.

I too have a harbor freight lift table. By accident, bought the better of the two they sold a year ago and I am very glad I did. The heaver capacity lets me lift my son's bike. The air is very easy and controlable and the front wheel lock has proven stable enough for parking and some quick adjustments. I usually strap it when I lift it, but not when its just parked.

[Major Softie]

Looks like a death trap.

Strapping to the lift isn't helpful, lift base is too small so the whole thing would tip over. That lift would only be safe if it was bolted to the floor AND the bike was tied down to it, but even then it isn't an easy thing to tie to.

Plus, screw lift is way too slow.

[The Raven]

It all depends on your needs. I'm currently using a craftsman ATV bike life for the G/S Its tippy, and not the best. But I am working in a 8x10 shop. There is no way of actually using a full sized lift in there. I wish I could though!!!

I have resorted to basically pulling stuff from the front, then from the rear to keep it balanced. It's worked so far. A little frustrating at times but I live with what I've got.

This lift would not work for me for one reason.....you can't roll it.

[Deleted User 287]

Riderwearhouse offers a aluminum or steel plank w/ramp that sits on top of two milk crates. $267/$237 respectively.

For that kind of money, I would make my own from wood. And because the milk crate height is less than other home-made stands, it would be easier to get the bike up.

Perhaps you have seen this one, or one like it:
http://www.midnightfantasy.com/cyber/workstand/
The website has a neat eDrawing program you can download and drag & rotate the drawings to view it from all angles in simulated 3D.

[grant81rs]

Steve,

Bite the bullet and get a full bike lift bench with wheels like my one, when you are not using it with the bike on it you just push it against the wall, raise it up to full height and you have a big workshop bench to work on....Very handy unit.

I got mine from Willamstown, out of "justbike", I think "spannerman" was his name and you collect from their warehouse....and the price was around $280 - $300ish

[Deleted User 287]

I think Ron Moss has a Harbor Freight lift and when he is not using it, he lowers it and then sets it on on edge leaned up against the wall.
And a beautiful little garage he has, too. External air compressor with piped air all around. Very nice!

[Major Softie]

I have the same lift as Adam (The Raven). I too think it is the absolute minimum that still has some practicality, plus it's easier than a full bike lift when you need to remove a wheel. Doesn't go as high though, and not as secure.