Author Topic: Motorcycle lift table (Read 3230 times)

BallAquatics · « **on:** January 25, 2024, 08:02:42 AM »

I'm thinking of buying a motorcycle lift table and would like some insight into what to look for. Thanks in advance!

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2024, 08:33:14 AM »

I have a couple, one is foot operated manual hydraulic and the other uses compressed air.

One of the best out there is the Handy...
[my buddy has one, wish I did]

https://www.mile-x.com/handy-40200-sam-1200-lb-air-lift/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1RjYOr5dmKIU8Sy9SMyTk08qp4Zo5IwEsuoP7ZnSCv3zjeS_Tp1AAW0aAmnYEALw_wcB

And the cheapest is the Harbour Freight el cheapo, I have one but dont use it....

https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-steel-motorcycle-lift-68892.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19166626963&campaignid=19166626963&utm_content=143651919265&adsetid=143651919265&product=68892&store=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1Rh4CIC5EmyOEsy19vGaRc2vZa2CWoMpClii1Qy9p7vwJfkN-G9pO3saAuEyEALw_wcB

Suggest getting the best one you can afford if you plan to use it for a few years.

Kelly E · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2024, 09:20:09 AM »

I've resurrected a couple dozen bikes on my Harbor Freight lift table with no issues. For a non professional the HF table is good enough. I added a few more tie down U bolts and made side extensions from an old single bed frame.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2024, 11:15:21 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on January 25, 2024, 08:33:14 AM

I have a couple, one is foot operated manual hydraulic and the other uses compressed air.

One of the best out there is the Handy...
[my buddy has one, wish I did]

https://www.mile-x.com/handy-40200-sam-1200-lb-air-lift/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1RjYOr5dmKIU8Sy9SMyTk08qp4Zo5IwEsuoP7ZnSCv3zjeS_Tp1AAW0aAmnYEALw_wcB

And the cheapest is the Harbour Freight el cheapo, I have one but dont use it....

https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-steel-motorcycle-lift-68892.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19166626963&campaignid=19166626963&utm_content=143651919265&adsetid=143651919265&product=68892&store=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1Rh4CIC5EmyOEsy19vGaRc2vZa2CWoMpClii1Qy9p7vwJfkN-G9pO3saAuEyEALw_wcB

Suggest getting the best one you can afford if you plan to use it for a few years.

The new model Handy is Nice

I had one which was from the mid 90's.
I moved quite a few times since and decided to sell it;really miss having a good lift.

Johnie · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2024, 01:39:24 PM »

I use the Handy lift. When I bought it I was using it for a heavy Goldwing and didn't trust any of the cheaper lifts. I also got the side extensions which are nice for holding tools and parts. Very happy with mine.

Kelly E · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2024, 01:47:40 PM »

Handy is way too proud of their stuff. I'm into mine about $200 and have been using it pretty much every day since 2017' with no issues. I put the 94' Kawasaki Concours on it regularly. With side extensions a Handy will set you back $2000. It's just not worth it to not have to pump the pedal.

jsmith800 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2024, 03:01:05 PM »

No matter what table you get, it'll be the most used and most handy too you have. I have hydraulic lift powdered by air....very fast to lift. I also prefer this one because it doesn't slide on the epoxy floor. sadly its spendy.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2024, 03:46:37 PM »

Quote from: Johnie on January 25, 2024, 01:39:24 PM

I use the Handy lift. When I bought it I was using it for a heavy Goldwing and didn't trust any of the cheaper lifts. I also got the side extensions which are nice for holding tools and parts. Very happy with mine.

Johnie,how's your GL1000 doing now ?

CycleRanger · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2024, 04:58:03 PM »

I have no complaints with my HF lift.
Well, ok, one complaint, the front wheel clamp is shiat so I don't use it.
I wouldn't load a big Harley dresser on it but it's fine for my Hondas.

ekpent · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2024, 05:09:52 PM »

Some guys mount a wheel chock like for a trailer on the front of the HF lifts. I own a HF lift and bought it back in the day when they were cheap especially with the discounts they used to have. To be honest though I have used it to store a bike on but have never really tried working off it in all these years. For some reason it seems I prefer to work on the bike while its on the ground. I know I'm weird but it works well for me.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2024, 08:56:07 PM »

Quote from: ekpent on January 25, 2024, 05:09:52 PM

Some guys mount a wheel chock like for a trailer on the front of the HF lifts. I own a HF lift and bought it back in the day when they were cheap especially with the discounts they used to have. To be honest though I have used it to store a bike on but have never really tried working off it in all these years. For some reason it seems I prefer to work on the bike while its on the ground. I know I'm weird but it works well for me.

Yes, that would be a good solution. I use ratchet straps over the rafters to support the bike.
I did my first two bikes on the garage floor.
Getting down on the floor is easy, it's getting back up that's the problem.

Getting a lift was a life changer for me.

newday777 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2024, 01:19:31 AM »

Back in the 70s when I was parts manager and I got to use the Handy lifts out back to do my services on my 750 it was great, but you have to have a decent air compressor to operate it with. I almost bought a used Handy about 3 years ago from an estate sale for $700 for probably a 1970s lift, and I hadn't expanded my storage space at that point. So I was still using a Craftsman bike jack for my Goldwing that helped get me off the floor but because my 750 has a 4into1 Hooker Header it didn't have good lifting on the frame, so my hunt for a used HF lift table was on to help my busted back from having to crawl on the floor.
A year and a half ago I bought my 1st ride on lift when I started my expansion and had enough room, I missed a couple of used HF lifts so I bought a used Kendon lift. It has a hand pump and open rails so I used my oil drip pan as a place to put tools on.
Then a week later I got a call back from a Craigslist ad that I was going to buy before I got the Kendon. He had just moved and his wife decided that she wanted the garage space to park her car in so he had to sell the HF lift. He sold it to me with the ride in wheel chock. It works well for me so I can stand to work on the bike and can sit on my stool when working on the lower stuff too. Much better than having to get up off the floor.

Johnie · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2024, 08:38:02 AM »

Hey Bill...to answer your question, the GL is coming along. With deer hunting, Thanksgiving and the busy December I had 2 months with not much getting done. Currently working on the wiring that the PO cut. Then have to tackle the tank. Might try electrolysis for the first time or the vinegar on it first to see how that works. Doesn't look real bad in there. Got the chrome back and installed.

Captainkirk · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2024, 12:58:27 PM »

I made a tidy investment in a Handy 20 years ago and never regretted it. While some of the cheaper lifts will get the job done (barely), I can hike myself up on the lift and straddle the bike with zero wiggling, shaking or "whoa!" moments.
I probably spent st least $600 more than I needed to, but never a question of quality or rigidity.
If you can afford the difference, do it. You won't be sorry.

Johnie · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2024, 04:13:13 PM »

Quote from: Captainkirk on January 26, 2024, 12:58:27 PM

I made a tidy investment in a Handy 20 years ago and never regretted it. While some of the cheaper lifts will get the job done (barely), I can hike myself up on the lift and straddle the bike with zero wiggling, shaking or "whoa!" moments.
I probably spent st least $600 more than I needed to, but never a question of quality or rigidity.
If you can afford the difference, do it. You won't be sorry.

You verbally hit the nail on the head Capt'n! It gave me so much peace of mind I didn't mind the extra cost. My Honda dealer here uses all Handy. Looking at it in person and in use sold me. I've had mine in use for 22 years and use it not only for the bikes, but the lawn tractor and snow blower. It sure saves on the back for us older guys.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2024, 05:19:39 PM »

My goal is to have a shop and another Handy lift,etc.
Working laying on my side or on my knees outside in a parking space on rough,old asphalt sucks.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2024, 05:36:51 PM »

I’ve had three different ones and they all came from KIJIJI. People buy them and then their plans change. My favourite is this one. The removable rear panel is handy for dropping a rear wheel. A good size table makes a handy tool bench too. It has air and hydraulics, but honestly I never hook up the air line. It just gets in the way. Get one that isn’t sitting in a pool of oil!

Gurp · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2024, 05:09:49 AM »

I bought my HF lift used about 5 years ago for 180 bucks. And threw the GFs dad 20 for gas to haul it.
It's been my best investment so far for motorcycles. If it's not raised all the way up it does have some wiggle. Once it's up all the way it doesn't. It's off to me but whatever.
The tab on the pedal arm that actually actuates the jack broke once. I welded it back on. That was a hassle with a bike on it.

It leaks down if not all the way up. It has a few small issues but for the money you can find them out there for I would always recommend one.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2024, 07:59:09 AM »

If you want to take up less space, my other lift is 1/2 the seize with the ramp removed. The outriggers make it surprisingly stable too. It easily supports a cb750.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2024, 09:07:04 AM »

Quote from: ekpent on January 25, 2024, 05:09:52 PM

Some guys mount a wheel chock like for a trailer on the front of the HF lifts. I own a HF lift and bought it back in the day when they were cheap especially with the discounts they used to have. To be honest though I have used it to store a bike on but have never really tried working off it in all these years. For some reason it seems I prefer to work on the bike while its on the ground. I know I'm weird but it works well for me.

I realize we are in the minority here, but I agree with this. I have a lift, always intend to do my big projects on it, but as soon as a bike goes on there, that is the one that never gets touched. I might have short arms or something too, because overall, the width of the lift and the height of motorcycles seems to mean that I am always bending half over, or can't reach before I can get any real leverage on stuff. The only time I find a lift nice is when it is necessary to work on the extreme lowest parts of the bike.

Don R · « **Reply #20 on:** January 27, 2024, 09:23:35 AM »

I use a harbor freight lift that I got before prices went crazy on sale for $290. I made a nice front wheel holder but put it in my car trailer later and am back to the weak stocker. Last year I had a surgery that laid me up for a couple months, now I've been working off the floor when I can, just for the exercise.
That said, I have a 750 on the lift now swapping parts to make it more original, I also added a few u bolt loops so I can tie down the bike from either end. I have a plywood and 2x4 tire chock for the rear wheel and a square piece of wood to set a scissor jack on for lifting either end, it's just used as a softener to avoid sliding while I'm wrestling with parts. A pair of plywood rectangles make the stock tire clamp spread its load over the front tire better also.

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 27, 2024, 04:40:07 PM »

I got this one, a bit more expensive than the HF, but has a good tire clamp.

Put all the Hondas and the Harley on it without reservation at all.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2024, 11:38:38 AM »

The DIY shop that I used to belong to in Chicago before it closed had both air powered lifts and foot powered HF lifts. The air powered is convenient, but the HF lift worked great and for tall inflexible older guys like me, any lift makes working on your bike so much easier. Used lifts are pretty easy to find on marketplace and Craigslist for $300-$500.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2024, 01:51:20 PM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on January 31, 2024, 11:38:38 AM

The DIY shop that I used to belong to in Chicago before it closed had both air powered lifts and foot powered HF lifts. The air powered is convenient, but the HF lift worked great and for tall inflexible older guys like me, any lift makes working on your bike so much easier. Used lifts are pretty easy to find on marketplace and Craigslist for $300-$500.

danny,did they ever discover what caused the fire at that DIY shop you used to belong to ?

spotty · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2024, 05:28:37 PM »

i've got one that looks similar to the HF ones you guys have got, saved my back and makes it a lot easier to get enthusiastic about working on the bike

incidentally i've used mine for both the Valkyrie, a Rocket 3 and my XVZ1300 all of which are significantly heavier than a CB750, handled them fine

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Author Topic: Motorcycle lift table (Read 3230 times)