Topic: bike lift (Read 3574 times)

laylonlor · « **on:** January 28, 2021, 05:16:18 PM »

anyone ever try that m/c lift from harbor freight , cheap $ 400

naitram · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2021, 05:29:49 PM »

there are some things i just wont get the cheap one of..... and a lift for a 30-40k motorcycle is one of them

fastfreddy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2021, 05:50:25 PM »

a few years ago i got one from HF .... used it one time and thru it out the same day

cost of education

ultra13 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2021, 06:32:03 PM »

I have 2 Sears (Craftsman) lifts. Never had a problem and can move the bike anywhere. I think I paid $90 on sale. Strap them down if need be and they aren't going anywhere. Handles my Ultra like a boss.

CVO Couple · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2021, 06:34:49 PM »

Been using one for 6 years no problems.

Upgrading the wheel chock and extra tie downs are helpful.

Recently upgraded the pump to an air/hydraulic unit. Side extensions are next.

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J Meadows · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2021, 07:01:38 PM »

I have been using a J&S Jack for about 6 years, I really like it

https://jsjacks.com/

mjb765 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2021, 08:06:56 PM »

Quote from: naitram on January 28, 2021, 05:29:49 PM

there are some things i just wont get the cheap one of..... and a lift for a 30-40k motorcycle is one of them

^^^^What he said......I had a pitbull for years with no issues, then I upgraded to a Handy lift table.

KGB · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2021, 05:50:25 AM »

Quote from: laylonlor on January 28, 2021, 05:16:18 PM

anyone ever try that m/c lift from harbor freight , cheap $ 400

Spend the extra $182.00 and get the J&S

lowflight · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2021, 10:03:39 AM »

I have one in the back yard you can have, it worked good for a number of years. It's only got a couple of issues, while jacking up the bike the steel cracked on both sides of the jack allowing the full weight of the bike to come down onto the safety catches bending one those. The bike didn't fall, but I did sh*t when it happened. Having the bike stuck up in the air with only one safety catch engaged presents a bit of problem on rigging to safely get it back down. You don't want or need to have that kind of experience. Buy one of the others that are recommended here.

RivRaptor · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2021, 01:25:42 PM »

Check out Auto lift 1000m motorcycle lift from best buy auto equipment I saw this lift on this site awhile back and just recently purchased it. I will-called it locally so no shipping. I like the lift it works well and is heavy duty construction. A friend just bought the harbor freight one right after I got mine and all though it works, man its flimsy in comparison. The negative on the 1000m, the wheel stop sucks its flimsy and the way the V is shaped it didn't let the wheel line up so that the vise could get a more secure bite on the tire in my opion and made using different tire widths problematic. So I made a new tire stop that has a flat face so no matter what tire width you have, you get good position on the wheel lock. Also I replaced the hardware to stainless and welded nuts underneath the chock assembly so I could use a drill with an ball Allen to quick change remove the stainless button heads quickly that are holding the chock assembly in place and then store the lift under my old Bronco. The only other issue which is easily solved is that the ramp is a little steep for these lowered CVO's (so a piece of wood under the front of the ramp solved that) and grip tape on the ramp makes loading a less of a pucker event.

RivRaptor · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2021, 01:34:42 PM »

Building new tire stop, sorry have to snap a pic of finished product and transfer to laptop before I can post

laylonlor · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2021, 03:23:10 PM »

thats a handy? you know loewes is selling them now under diff. name , there good !!

Quote from: RivRaptor on January 29, 2021, 01:34:42 PM

Building new tire stop, sorry have to snap a pic of finished product and transfer to laptop before I can post

mjb765 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2021, 05:12:40 PM »

Yes they are!!

rayson56 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2021, 05:18:22 PM »

Quote from: mjb765 on January 29, 2021, 05:12:40 PM

Yes they are!!

Now THAT's the way to go Mike! Showoff!

I got lucky and found a complete used one of these on CL for $500.00. It works awesome. I use my Wheeldock on it so that it's easy on, easy off.

https://www.discountramps.com/black-widow-heavy-duty-1500lb-motorcycle-lift-table-with-jack/p/BW-PROLIFT-HDXW/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4o6nn5bC7gIVQT2tBh1FGA8eEAQYBSABEgIz7vD_BwE

If you are not putting in the ground like Mike's is, I highly recommend the side extensions too, otherwise getting on and off is a bitch and I'm 6'2".

Good Luck

Twolanerider · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2021, 06:38:23 PM »

Quote from: mjb765 on January 29, 2021, 05:12:40 PM

Yes they are!!

MJ, did you use your lift much before sinking it in the floor? If so how much do you notice the difference in height?

I've used my old table lift for years and have gotten so used to its work height I really don't want to have to adjust "down" to losing the several inches that would go away were it in the floor. As much as I like the idea of burying the lift that way I'm afraid the lost height would annoy the hell out of me.

mjb765 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2021, 08:11:39 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on January 29, 2021, 06:38:23 PM

MJ, did you use your lift much before sinking it in the floor? If so how much do you notice the difference in height?

I've used my old table lift for years and have gotten so used to its work height I really don't want to have to adjust "down" to losing the several inches that would go away were it in the floor. As much as I like the idea of burying the lift that way I'm afraid the lost height would annoy the hell out of me.

Yes...I used it before it went in the ground, but just lower the roll around stool and it's still not bad. We are moving in 2 months so it will be back above ground in the new house...unless I decide to cut the floor again. And also yes---I highly suggest the side extensions if it is above ground...makes life much easier and I am only 5'6".....

Ironhorse · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2021, 03:43:37 AM »

Has anyone tried that one that's powered by a hand drill? It's supposedly supposed to be a good sturdy set up.

2k · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2021, 05:54:24 AM »

Quote from: ultra13 on January 28, 2021, 06:32:03 PM

I have 2 Sears (Craftsman) lifts. Never had a problem and can move the bike anywhere. I think I paid $90 on sale. Strap them down if need be and they aren't going anywhere. Handles my Ultra like a boss.

Big difference between a lift and a jack.

CVO Couple · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2021, 08:34:42 AM »

Quote from: 2k on January 30, 2021, 05:54:24 AM

Big difference between a lift and a jack.

Yes. I have both from Harbor Freight and both work good. Depending on what you want to access on the bike at the time.

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mark · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2021, 09:05:33 AM »

Some guys have bought the HF lift table and have no complaints. However, if you look at a commercial grade lift table vs the HF, you’ll see a big difference in sturdiness. There are many posts and pics on line of the HF table failing. $1200 vs. $400...there’s a reason for that.

CVO Couple · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2021, 09:13:59 AM »

Most of the failures pictures I’ve seen of the HF lift have been of the one particular item number with the non C channel lower frame.

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mjb765 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2021, 01:21:31 PM »

Quote from: Mark on January 30, 2021, 09:05:33 AM

Some guys have bought the HF lift table and have no complaints. However, if you look at a commercial grade lift table vs the HF, you’ll see a big difference in sturdiness. There are many posts and pics on line of the HF table failing. $1200 vs. $400...there’s a reason for that.

Yes there is......and I always think if it happened to someone else, it could happen to me. With all the people using it, the odds are against it, but not going to take the chance.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2021, 04:11:59 PM »

Quote from: mjb765 on January 29, 2021, 08:11:39 PM

Yes...I used it before it went in the ground, but just lower the roll around stool and it's still not bad. We are moving in 2 months so it will be back above ground in the new house...unless I decide to cut the floor again. And also yes---I highly suggest the side extensions if it is above ground...makes life much easier and I am only 5'6".....

Since I moved now three years ago my lift gets used quite a bit less than it used to. Not as many others coming by for service and beers now without the big shop and (probably) with all the stupid of 2020/21 impacting how much we're all out messing around. My old lift has quite a few miles on it but the thing still keeps on working just fine. It's strong enough to do all I need from the Road Glide at one end to little bikes on the other. But.... the last couple years I still keep thinking about something new.

The Handy 1200 goes higher. I like it's lifting and locking mechanism. And it'd be new. Still probably not replacing the old one. Just works too well. If I sunk it in the floor; that could be an excuse. Or when it breaks; but it will probably last longer than I do.

ultra13 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 30, 2021, 04:55:28 PM »

Yes there is 2K. Garage space is the biggest to me. I can have both bikes on my jacks, work on them then push them in the corner and drive my truck back in the garage. If using the big lifts you still have to use another small jack to take the wheels off. By using the jack the wheels are off the ground and easy to R2. Recon it's all in what you want and need.

kevin_n · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2021, 05:02:22 PM »

I have been using the one from harbor freight for 5 years now. Bought it from a friend after her husband passed away way way to early but he used it for 2 years before I got it. Have another friend that has the same lift been used for over 10 years with no problems. The only thing that was done was change out their tire chock for a better one and add different tie downs.

DaBigNuttedMan · « **Reply #25 on:** March 04, 2021, 05:36:32 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on January 30, 2021, 04:11:59 PM

Since I moved now three years ago my lift gets used quite a bit less than it used to. Not as many others coming by for service and beers now without the big shop and (probably) with all the stupid of 2020/21 impacting how much we're all out messing around. My old lift has quite a few miles on it but the thing still keeps on working just fine. It's strong enough to do all I need from the Road Glide at one end to little bikes on the other. But.... the last couple years I still keep thinking about something new.

The Handy 1200 goes higher. I like it's lifting and locking mechanism. And it'd be new. Still probably not replacing the old one. Just works too well. If I sunk it in the floor; that could be an excuse. Or when it breaks; but it will probably last longer than I do.

Hey guys I know its been a while scince posting anything, but any way I put a Handy electric hydraulic 1500 in the ground and it works great, cost more but goes up 48"

rayson56 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 04, 2021, 07:42:23 PM »

Quote from: ultra13 on January 30, 2021, 04:55:28 PM

Yes there is 2K. Garage space is the biggest to me. I can have both bikes on my jacks, work on them then push them in the corner and drive my truck back in the garage. If using the big lifts you still have to use another small jack to take the wheels off. By using the jack the wheels are off the ground and easy to R2. Recon it's all in what you want and need.

A buddy of mine is fortunate enough, like Mike, to have his Handy Lift in ground, and when it comes time to pull the wheels off for new tires and such he is able to put his RG on sideways and lift it up to remove them. Pretty slick!

ultra13 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 05, 2021, 01:30:28 PM »

56.....Now that is using your noodle.

Jbbrown73 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 05, 2021, 04:00:55 PM »

A shop I know uses the DT by from Direct Lift. He has 3 of these in his shop and says they work great and last, even being used daily putting heavy Harleys on them.

https://directlift.com/product/pro-cycle-dt/

Twolanerider · « **Reply #29 on:** March 05, 2021, 06:08:23 PM »

Quote from: rayson56 on March 04, 2021, 07:42:23 PM

A buddy of mine is fortunate enough, like Mike, to have his Handy Lift in ground, and when it comes time to pull the wheels off for new tires and such he is able to put his RG on sideways and lift it up to remove them. Pretty slick!

Wait, what? That's something I hadn't thought of. If the lift was narrow enough to come up between the wheels and nothing hung below that would be slick. Trying to bring up the mental image of my bikes' frame now seeing them from the side. Pretty sure some part of the kickstand protrudes slightly below but not sure if this would be an issue or not. Almost certain it wouldn't work on the old FXRs. Still a cool idea though.

mjb765 · « **Reply #30 on:** March 07, 2021, 08:40:42 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on March 05, 2021, 06:08:23 PM

Wait, what? That's something I hadn't thought of. If the lift was narrow enough to come up between the wheels and nothing hung below that would be slick. Trying to bring up the mental image of my bikes' frame now seeing them from the side. Pretty sure some part of the kickstand protrudes slightly below but not sure if this would be an issue or not. Almost certain it wouldn't work on the old FXRs. Still a cool idea though.

Yep..cool idea..and you are correct--would not work on the old FXR's. Wondering about the frame now also.

I am in the process of moving so I will need to consider cutting the garage floor in the new house as well.

Mr. Warlock · « **Reply #31 on:** March 08, 2021, 06:03:20 AM »

It would be very easy to build a frame support for lifting sideways on the lift tables.

Author Topic: bike lift (Read 3574 times)

mark