Topic: Motorcycle lifts?

[JB_Pgh]

Anyone know anything about motorcycle lifts?  I have a 72 CB350F that I'm going to be tearing down and I'd like to be able to raise it up do a lot of the work on it that'll be necessary (and time consuming).  

I've seen two types, the ones like this, that (frankly) don't look very stable or safe:



And this, which is what I like:



Both are Harbor Freight Chinese knockoffs used for illustrative purposes...I may or may not buy from there, depending on what I learn.  I'd hate to spend more on the lift than I plan to invest in the bike.

Any tips on buying?  Or somehow building something that works as well?  Sources?  I'm already keeping an eye on craigslist.

TIA,
JB

[kghost]

I have one of the red ones in the pic's from Harbor.

Works fine...no issues.

They make an electric one now...I'd probably get that if I were buying another.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Got a $70 Harbor Freight jobber sort of like the one on top.

Goes up, goes down, gets the job done.

[78CB750CAFE]

$49 black friday special from Pep Boys got me a "red devil" brand one like in the top pic. Best $50 I ever spent

[BlindJoe]

I've got the red one, works great so far, bought it from a guy off craigslist

[alltherightpills]

Depending on what your pipes are like, the top lift can be a pain.  I've got one, and my pipes kind of straddle the rails on the bottom of the frame, so I need to make a jig so that I can use it without crushing my pipes

[Duke McDukiedook]

Stack 1X2's under the frame rails, that's what I do with my MAC 4to2's.

[JB_Pgh]

On the top one, what keeps the bike stabilized?  I have 4 kids, I don't want them bumping it and getting crushed.

[Gordon]

Depending on what your pipes are like, the top lift can be a pain.  I've got one, and my pipes kind of straddle the rails on the bottom of the frame, so I need to make a jig so that I can use it without crushing my pipes

+1

The type you get should depend on the kind of work you most plan on doing with it in the future.  The flat-bed type is best if you just want to get the bike up to your level to do non-major work.  The first kind, for sohc4's at least, will typically require either removing the exhaust or making a custom adapter to be useful.

[fuzzybutt]

i've had the red, bottom one for about 3 years no, never a single problem with it.

[BlindJoe]

Depending on what your pipes are like, the top lift can be a pain.  I've got one, and my pipes kind of straddle the rails on the bottom of the frame, so I need to make a jig so that I can use it without crushing my pipes

+1

The type you get should depend on the kind of work you most plan on doing with it in the future.  The flat-bed type is best if you just want to get the bike up to your level to do non-major work.  The first kind, for sohc4's at least, will typically require either removing the exhaust or making a custom adapter to be useful.

What would you consider major work?

[Gordon]

What would you consider major work?

Good question...  I guess, when considering buying a lift, major work would include anything that requires removal of the exhaust system. 

[heffay]

i've got a truck tool box that i'm going to put a heavier piece of steel or possibly wood on the top.  the tool box just sits in my garage as a coffee table anyway.  may as well put my ramp on it and pull a bike up there.  

honestly, i would never buy the lift you pictured first... too much dis-assembly of bikes in order to use something like that... plus it constricts movement underneath the bike/engine.  not something you want out of a bike stand.  also, they are kinda sketch as far as stability, in my opinion.  yes, i've used them.  

the red one is what i would buy if i didn't spend all my motorcycle money on, well, motorcycles.  
they are handy workbenches to set tools on as well as lifting your bike to the appropriate height.   you can also sit on them to get in the right position... something that can't be done w/ the first type.  etc. etc. etc.  

the difference is spelled out in the price comparison... you get what you pay for.

[mark]

http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/product_view.asp?idProduct=1060&D=1&S=21

This is what the HF knockoff wanted to be, and it isn't scary with a Harley on it.

Turn the air down some so it doesn't launch your 350 through the ceiling.

 

 I'd hate to spend more on the lift than I plan to invest in the bike.

okay. it isn't hard at all to tie up a grand or better in an old Honda and a gray Handy-lift with wheel clamp is a few bucks shy of that..

and it isn't going to be your last bike anyway, is it.

 

[myhondas]

I have one like this yellow although mine is red. I can use it on my 96 magna but not on my K4. I have no intention of pulling my pipes off just to raise the bike up. I am now going to purchase the red one from harbor freight so that I can raise up any of my bikes easly and without any special work to do it. It is much bigger and will require making a system to raise it on end to store when not in use, but I believe that it will be the better and safer system. The yellow one has straps that you need to use to keep the bike stable on the lift, but even with those, I find the whole system somewhat unstable. It looks like with shipping, it will cost about $500 which is not too bad considering a lot of the other lift prices that I see.

[fuzzybutt]

we have a harbor frieght store about 12 miles away from my house, i was able to go in and buy it. it was on sale at the time too for 299, i went home with it that day. it might be worth an hour or 2 drive if you can go pick the lift up and avoid the shipping fees.

[myhondas]

It's funny that you mentioned that, cause that's where I was today. Went into the store that is closest to me and wanted to check it out and maybe buy it then & there.......it is a special order item now and is not stocked at the store.

[heffay]

do you avoid the shipping cost if it is simply ordered thru the store and you pick it up when it arrives?

[Industrial Cafe]

On the top one, what keeps the bike stabilized?  I have 4 kids, I don't want them bumping it and getting crushed.

^motorcycle tiedowns^

I have a craftsman like the one on top (craigslist $50) and I drag it up and down the step, across the grass, thru the dirt- it doesn't fall over because bikes center of gravity is the middle of the frame.

...unless you take the tires off while it's jacked up too high, then it wants to tip to the end with the tire on it. (don't ask)

 also you can use it to lift the motor into position while the bike is on it's side- on jackstands.

if you want to lift it with the pipes on, you'll need a jig that cradles the frame on four crescents raised on 6 inch standoffs. I think I've seen one on here.

[alltherightpills]

That's the one I've got.  It's also heavy as a motherfuuker, so it's not quite as portable as it looks.  I think it weighs 90 lbs, but then again, I'm a huge wuss, so maybe other people can heft it around quite easily.

[JB_Pgh]

Great info, thanks guys.  I'll see what kind of money I can pull together.  I'd like to keep my total investment on the bike under $1k, but that doesn't count the lift because I'll use it on other bikes!  If I can get the red one for $299 from Harbor Freight (about 5 miles from me), I'll snap it up.

[Industrial Cafe]

I like the big one too, it's just that you need a centerstand to do wheel stuff- which I don't gots.

and yes it's 90lbs shipping weight but feels like maybe 60... but maybe that's cause I'm so ripped

[BobbyR]

Ihave the top one and lift it with my stock pipes. If you get it right they are fine.

[Industrial Cafe]

Ihave the top one and lift it with my stock pipes. If you get it right they are fine.

I have a 4-1.

[BobbyR]

On the top one, what keeps the bike stabilized?  I have 4 kids, I don't want them bumping it and getting crushed.

^motorcycle tiedowns^

I have a craftsman like the one on top (craigslist $50) and I drag it up and down the step, across the grass, thru the dirt- it doesn't fall over because bikes center of gravity is the middle of the frame.

...unless you take the tires off while it's jacked up too high, then it wants to tip to the end with the tire on it. (don't ask)

 also you can use it to lift the motor into position while the bike is on it's side- on jackstands.

if you want to lift it with the pipes on, you'll need a jig that cradles the frame on four crescents raised on 6 inch standoffs. I think I've seen one on here.

I have the same model, great lift