Topic: Motolift info?

[TwoTired]

I've been looking at this style motolift in adds for several years now and have always been tempted.  Shipping from the midwest was always way to expensive.  Now Harbor Freight sells them and they are on sale, no less.

 I've never seen one up close and personal, but the price is hard to resist.  Anyone know anything about these?
 Thanks,

[SteveD CB500F]

I was looking at these at the London Motorcycle Show last week (same as you I guess, been thinking about it for a couple of years now - sick of cold knees and bum)

You get what you pay for.  Simple statement but true if you look around at what's on offer.  Like any tool I guess.

I don't know the makes you show but £300 is the going rate for a hydraulic lift over here.

Any of you cafe builders out there?

[dusterdude]

for a home garage,looks good to me

[Terry in Australia]

I thought about building my own with a ram off a 10 ton porta-power I've got out in the garage somewhere, but these new bike lifts are so cheap (thanks to our little Chinese friends, no doubt) that I''m tempted just to buy one from a store here in Oz that sells them for about the same price as Harbour freight. I'd prefer an air/hydraulic ram though, it's a little smoother and easier to control (less jerky) than the foot jack on these cheap bike lifts. Cheers, Terry.

[MRieck]

I've seen lifts similiar to that in use and they are functional for sure. Like Terry said they are jerky when pumping them up. I've had a Handy lift for about 12 years now....great lift but not cheap. I've seen other air lifts for sale now that look exactly like the Handy (patent must have expired). Reasonably priced too.

[TwoTired]

Thanks, for the responses Guys.

I've used the Handy type in the MC shop.  It's nice for sure and durable.  But, I can't get that type to my door for less than $800 w/shipping.

That's certainly an acceptable business expense.  But, for home use, I'm not so sure.  Does anyone know if the steel top on the Harbor Freight one is thick enough to keep a bike steady on the center stand?  Seems silly to save money on a lift and then spend even more on parts bashed from falling off the lift.

What's the worry about a jerky uplift?  The one at the shop comes up fast on the air and jerks when it hits the top stop.

Still, I was thinking of putting an electric Hydraulic pump on the cheap one, and, improving the cheesy tire clamp it has.

Maybe I should build one.  What's one more project when you have a couple thousand in the que already?

Cheers,