Topic: Lift recommendations for CB500 Four maintenance

[HS]

Finally got my paws on my 1972 CB500...she's a beaut!  Been sitting a bit long, though, and requires a fair bit of work to be made road worthy.  I've been looking at lifts, but obviously the four pipes are an issue.  Would appreciate recommendations on a good lift that would work with the bike.

Thanks in advance.

HS

[ekpent]

Do you still have a center stand?  A lift table is very handy like this cheapie Harbor Freight. They also sell a cheap jack style also.  If you do not have a coupon they will honor just the code numbers under the barcode, at least around here.

[scrapvalue]

I bought one of those lift tables and love it.   Well worth the money.

[HS]

I bought one of those lift tables and love it.   Well worth the money.

Thank you, ekpent...I'm a big HF fan.  You get what you pay for, but it's still a great option when you're not a professional wrench.

Yes, I've got a centerstand.  Looks to be pretty solid still. 

I've seen the tables and I like them but I'm space limited.  My house was built in 1960 (old by Houston standards) and my garage is small.  That might be my best option, just not sure where I'm going to put the thing.  The center lift was my preferred route but then I pulled my head out of my arse and realized I'll have four pipes in the way...I'm new to the CB.

calj - I'm going to search the Pit Bull now....thanks for that.

Keep 'em coming, gents....much appreciated!  This place is a great source of info.  Hopefully I can contribute some once I get my head around the bike.

HS

[scrapvalue]

There is no need to "store" the lift table.  You can just park the bike on it.     I have several bikes in my garage and always have one parked on it.
It sets really close to the ground and comes with a nice removable ramp. Take s no effort to put the bike on it.
And as far as getting what you pay for, the only thing you will get for more money is a power lift.
I've had mine for 2 years and brother has one he bought used almost 5 years ago and it is in use pretty much everyday.
They are well made and a heck of a deal if you use the coupon.

[ekpent]

Depending on what kind of vehicle you own and actually use a garage for vehicle parking (not here for a long time  ), if there is enough clearance you can drive over it and park with most of it tucked underneath.

[Vicman]

The only thing I never liked about bikes was working on them. I got the HF lift and it is a game changer! Now I enjoy working on them almost as much as riding.
I promise the first time you change your oil or clean carby bowls you will call your buddy and ask him to bring his bike over just so you can do it again. It is that much difference.
That thing will be the best $300 you will ever put in your shop.

[strynboen]

lift table can be used for all types of work..mine have not mounts to hold the bike..but on center stand..and strap it down  front/back ....hveels can be taken of..
i have build a hydraulic power station of a wood breaker?? English word?? to power the table

[HS]

You guys have convinced me...I need one of these!  Thanks for the education.

We have four bicycles in the way and I started the install on a mounting system to get them off the ground/against the wall and make room for the CB500.  I can place the lift in the cleared area and park the CB on it...great plan.

Now I just need to get the lawnmore into the shed...time to build a small ramp.

Thanks fellas!

 

HS

[ekpent]

That does look like a very nice machine you have there. How about a few more pictures and details like how many miles it has, how you found it, have you had others and all those other juicy details.
In case no one said welcome to the forum,  Welcome to the forum.

[HS]

That does look like a very nice machine you have there. How about a few more pictures and details like how many miles it has, how you found it, have you had others and all those other juicy details.
In case no one said welcome to the forum,  Welcome to the forum.

Thanks, ekpent.  I've been racing and braking a dodge challenger stick car for a several years now.  Decided to mix it up with a bike.  Been a looooooong time since I had one. 

The bike is a 1972 CB500 Four.  It's got ~6800 miles.  I literally got my hands on it this week....purchased from a gent in MI.  Lots to be done to get the bike in good working order.  Front caliper is bound, as an example, so that will be my first order of business.  I'll then turn my attention to cleaning out the fuel system, check out compression, swap plugs and check out the points, clean the air filter and then go from there.  She's in great shape given 41 years old, but needs some TLC.  I'll be learning as I go.

HS

[NobleHops]

The only thing I never liked about bikes was working on them. I got the HF lift and it is a game changer! Now I enjoy working on them almost as much as riding.
I promise the first time you change your oil or clean carby bowls you will call your buddy and ask him to bring his bike over just so you can do it again. It is that much difference.
That thing will be the best $300 you will ever put in your shop.

What he said. The lift is the best money you can spend on tools.

[rtbmrgl]

I have a lift like this one, the ride rails come in handy for quads or other wide things.  Lifted my Goldwing ok. Be sure when you roll the bike of the ramp that the side stand is up, almost lost my Vstrom. The stand hit high center when rear wheel was off the ramp.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tuxedo-M-1000C-1000-lb-Air-Operated-Motorcycle-Lift-/171057953378?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item27d3d93a62&vxp=mtr

[scrapvalue]

I have a lift like this one, the ride rails come in handy for quads or other wide things.  Lifted my Goldwing ok. Be sure when you roll the bike of the ramp that the side stand is up, almost lost my Vstrom. The stand hit high center when rear wheel was off the ramp.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tuxedo-M-1000C-1000-lb-Air-Operated-Motorcycle-Lift-/171057953378?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item27d3d93a62&vxp=mtr

+2 for the side stand issue. I know from experience.

[rtbmrgl]

I have a lift like this one, the ride rails come in handy for quads or other wide things.  Lifted my Goldwing ok. Be sure when you roll the bike of the ramp that the side stand is up, almost lost my Vstrom. The stand hit high center when rear wheel was off the ramp.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tuxedo-M-1000C-1000-lb-Air-Operated-Motorcycle-Lift-/171057953378?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item27d3d93a62&vxp=mtr

+2 for the side stand issue. I know from experience.

I take it back, it was my CB500 that just restored that I almost lost, the gas tank was heading straight for my vice!!!!
That would have popped my bubble.

[HS]

Yikes....good to know!  The tank is in pretty good shape on mine and that would be a heartbreaker.


 

HS

[rtbmrgl]

Yikes....good to know!  The tank is in pretty good shape on mine and that would be a heartbreaker.


 

HS

Yeah, looking at your icon pic it looks nice.  I had a body shop tank paint to look original, it was pricey.

[HS]

WINNING!!!




....and thanks for the coupon, ekpent!


 

HS

[HS]

All set up.  I purchased a proper wheel chock at HF as well as the one that came with the lift doesn't look sturdy.  Drilled holes where they needed to be and mounted it.  Cocktail hour...






 

HS

[faux fiddy]

Looks like you're set up, but none the less I'm going to add a shameless plug for Lance's product.

SPEED TV Features PegLift on Greg's Garage.wmv

[ekpent]

I bought the same wheel chock as you when I picked mine up, pretty common upgrade for this set up.  One other thing I noticed when I was reading up on them, and the Guy at the store suggested it also was to check and or fill the hydraulic oil in the pump.  Some have been know to ship out not totally filled up     Enjoy your new toy, your back may Thank-you someday.
  What kind of cocktail did you celebrate with ??

[HS]

ekpent - spot on.  The hydraulic fluid reservoir was not full and I'll purchase some proper fluid today.

Rum, sir....I'm a rum drinker.  Sippin' tequila Friday nights only to blow off some steam from the week.  Otherwise, Gosslings is my daily 

Tree Fiddy - nice looking product.  I could definitely see that coming in handy.  I didn't get a warm fuzzy from the Pit Bull folks on product fitment (i.e. which one of theirs would work on my bike).  Clearly Lance's is flexible.  How much does he sell those for?

HS

[scrapvalue]

I built this other work table for my project bikes.   I but the bike on the lift, raise it up to the same level as the table and then roll it on.
The table has a large storage area under it for all the parts for the project and it is on casters so it can be easily moved out of the way when not being used.
It was about $40 in material, not including the casters.

[HS]

I built this other work table for my project bikes.   I but the bike on the lift, raise it up to the same level as the table and then roll it on.
The table has a large storage area under it for all the parts for the project and it is on casters so it can be easily moved out of the way when not being used.
It was about $40 in material, not including the casters.

That looks slick.  I can't open up the picture to make it bigger so I can't see it well...but great idea.

HS

[ekpent]

Hey Scrap I notice in your bench picture a large quantity of trophies up on a shelf. Somebody must be good at something ??

[scrapvalue]

Hey Scrap I notice in your bench picture a large quantity of trophies up on a shelf. Somebody must be good at something ??

I have raced MX for many years. Got my wife and daughters into it also. Most are mine, but many of them are theirs also.
There is about as many more just outside the picture as you see in the picture and it is 4 rows deep.     The green bike in the background is a 1991 KX500 that I race in the vintage class and I have a 2001 CR250 that I race in the old farts class.
There is also a motocross track just outside the garage.   Brrraaappppp!

[HS]

I get the rolling work table now.  I need to hit the link and download the pictures...odd.  I'm still getting used to being on here.  I simply use photobucket and post the img link for the full pic embedded in the post.

I literally couldn't see that the bike was on the work table in its small form....LOL

Cool on the racing.  Long time ago for me....way too long to want to remember 

HS