Author Topic: Motorcycle Lift (Read 6792 times)

Bob3050 · « **on:** September 06, 2013, 05:25:44 PM »

I picked up a new hydraulic motorcycle lift today at Harbor Freight. It's really not a bad piece of equipment. My legs will get a little workout pumping the jack pedal but it's not really all that difficult. It lifts the bike thirty inches from the collapsed position so the total lift from the floor is about three feet. I may invest in a better front wheel vise but with tie-down straps this one works o.k. The best part was that with their coupon I only paid $329 plus California sales tax for a total of $357 as opposed to a regular price of over $700. Here are a couple pictures.
Bob

CoachDoc · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2013, 05:54:29 PM »

Looks good, Bob. What is the lifting capacity? I'm wondering if it is strong enough(or long enough) to also lift my Wing. Is there an option for a rear drop out to facilitate rear wheel removal on a bigger bike? Sorry we missed you this year on the Relay ride.

sixthwisconsin · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2013, 06:05:12 PM »

I have been looking at this lift as well. The feedback on their website says check the hydraulic fluid before operation as it will need to be topped off and the system bled. Everyone also recommends adding the wheel chock 96349 as well for better stability.
I clipped coupons out of "Motorcyclist" magazine for $299 on the lift and $26.99 on the chock. Probably will do this soon, the coupons expire 10/ 25.

Anybody else have any feedback on this lift?

BobbyR · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2013, 06:33:29 PM »

That is perfect

MoMo · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:07:05 PM »

I've had one for 5 years or so, no problem with it and I was real lucky as I only paid 269 back then.

It is 1000 lb. capacity if my memory serves well, and takes at least 50 pumps to raise it all the way. I don't think the Land Barge(aka Goldwing) weighs that much, probably close tho....Larry

splitt · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:32:03 PM »

I've had one of the HF lift tables for three years now and it works pretty good. It takes right around 50 pumps to go from the ground level to it's highest stop point. It will lift my 780 lb. cruiser with no issues. I am using the wheel chock that came with the lift even though it's so-so. I really miss the pneumatic handy lift we had in our shop but my budget wouldn't allow it. Besides, I won this one at our local AMCA raffle. It sure beats crawling around on the floor with the bike perched on my motorcycle jack.

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:42:29 PM »

Can you drive a car over it?

Tews19 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:46:54 PM »

My buddy has the same one.... He had his ZL900 and now his Kawi eliminator on it with no problems..

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2013, 08:57:59 PM »

What does the extended warranty cost?

harisuluv · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2013, 10:44:29 PM »

I recently got the same thing off Craigslist from a church of all places. They used it once to lift up a bike being auctioned or raffled and got it just for display purposes.

I called and pointed to the ad on the website for $329 and negotiated a price of $260.

I had been looking for one for awhile and with no tax and already assembled I was satisfied with the price.

I see them on Craigslist every now and then and they seem to go for 200-300 in used shape.

Overnight it will bleed some air and will be lower than when you last saw it but you can put a bar in different positions to keep it from going any lower or for safety reasons.

I think they are worth it if you find a good used one, but I would be leery of paying for one full price with tax from HF.

Magilla · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2013, 04:46:16 AM »

I have this same lift. Its not professional quality but it is more than ok for home use. You cannot drive a car over it but a 4x4 truck would clear it.

I put two U bolts up front that have a set of rachet tie downs connected to them. TIP: bolt the end of the tie down, down. This way it can never come lose. I can provide pics if you need them.

I used a $299 coupon for mine and took the short ride to NH to avoid sales tax. My bike is on the lift right now!! Its a great way to clean your bike too.

toytuff · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2013, 06:21:10 AM »

$299 coupons all the time.

I had the pump model but you can't add the side extensions. This made loading the bike difficult for me. I did mount a wheel chock that worked well.

On my birthday a while back one of these popped up for $700 with a jack included on CL. Just ordered a jack when purchased so now I have a new one in the box.

Go figure.

Either way they are worth buying but defiantly go with extensions. Makes a nice additional work area.

tt

ekpent · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2013, 09:13:35 AM »

One here also. Got the 269.00 deal. Better than bending over for certain jobs and the box makes good kindling wood

Good thing is its fairly easy to move around. Front wheel holder set-up is kind of crappy but a real wheel chock is a common upgrade.

nccb · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2013, 10:06:24 AM »

This is what I want:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-motorcycle-atv-jack/p-00950190000P

lucky · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2013, 10:17:11 AM »

Quote from: harisuluv on September 06, 2013, 10:44:29 PM

I recently got the same thing off Craigslist from a church of all places. They used it once to lift up a bike being auctioned or raffled and got it just for display purposes.

I called and pointed to the ad on the website for $329 and negotiated a price of $260.

I had been looking for one for awhile and with no tax and already assembled I was satisfied with the price.

I see them on Craigslist every now and then and they seem to go for 200-300 in used shape.

Overnight it will bleed some air and will be lower than when you last saw it but you can put a bar in different positions to keep it from going any lower or for safety reasons.

I think they are worth it if you find a good used one, but I would be leery of paying for one full price with tax from HF.

I would avoid leaving it up overnight if you live in earthquake prone regions.

ekpent · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2013, 10:27:45 AM »

Quote from: nccb on September 07, 2013, 10:06:24 AM

This is what I want:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-motorcycle-atv-jack/p-00950190000P

My Buddy bought one of these for the shop also in a green color (Kaw Guy) back when they were cheaper. Neither one of us has used it yet but I did jack up a friends chair with him in it one night when we were drinking around the wood stove. Seems nice and sturdy though. http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-lightweight-aluminum-motorcycle-lift-60636.html

andrewk · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2013, 12:12:36 PM »

I got the same 300 deal as everyone else. I regularly use it to lift touring bikes, and it does the job, but center-standing a GL1200 on it is about a 2 man operation. The dropout rear section is great for service work. Overall it's makes an ok work station, not like a handy lift, but it fits the budget. I do the same thing with the tie-downs- move 'em forward and bolt them down.

Make sure to grease it regularly, use the safety bar, and it will last- I've been using mine pretty hard for 3 years, still works like new.

Lastly, it keeps your quads feeling good. Remember to switch off and get an equal workout!

ekpent · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2013, 06:10:38 PM »

Check the hydraulic fluid level on those when you get them new also. Guy at the store when I bought it has heard of them being a little low when assembled new out of the box

HotCarl73 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2013, 07:23:02 AM »

I've had the Harbor Freight pneumatic lift for about 6 years. Apparently, they don't sell it anymore. I put one of their self locking wheel chocks on it, i never installed the clamp. This chock makes it so easy to load the bike. You just get a running start, and slam it into the chock. It's never tried to fall over, but i keep a hand on the bars while i tie it down. I have back problems, and could not work on my motorcycles without a lift. Buying anything from HF is a gamble, but this was a good one. I use their hydraulic table with the motorcycle lift to work on my sidecar rig. I leave bikes raised on it for days or even weeks at a time and have never had any problem. All of this praise and boasting of trouble free use is, of course, accompanied by knocking on wood.

strynboen · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2013, 12:19:53 PM »

i have thinking to put a used servo pump from a car..on mine..a easy vay to get hydralik pressure,,just a small elektro motor..vith belt drive on..and a hyd valve..

mcuozzo · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2013, 12:58:32 PM »

Pretty sure they still sell the hydraulic lift...

http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html

my local store had one on display not long ago also.

Matt

Roach Carver · « **Reply #21 on:** September 08, 2013, 02:17:14 PM »

Ive had the the HF one for about 7years. The hydraulics crapped out on it about 6 months ago and from what I can tell the jack/pump portion is not rebuildable.

HotCarl73 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2013, 02:27:47 PM »

Quote from: mcuozzo on September 08, 2013, 12:58:32 PM

Pretty sure they still sell the hydraulic lift...

http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html

my local store had one on display not long ago also.

Matt

I'm not sure if this was in response to me saying they didn't sell it anymore. If it was, I was referring to the pneumatic lift that I have. Mine is not hydraulic, I just push down the pedal and up goes the bike, powered by a big air cylinder attached to my compressor. It was a little more expensive than the hydraulic, but worth it, I think. It doesn't look like they have the pneumatic one on the website anymore. If this wasn't referencing my post, or they do still sell the pneumatic, I apologize. Either way, it's a great lift.

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Author Topic: Motorcycle Lift (Read 6792 times)