Before I got my motorcycle lift, I used a table that was 10" of the ground and on locking caster wheels. It worked well, but didn't get most of the build to chest height.Old post but would love some thoughts on this...
I am building a table very similar to this...Plans were to make it 2ft tall (when completed) but now having seconds thoughts...problem is I will be loading the bike on and off the table alone and would rather not struggle (or risk dropping the bike)...
Anyone have a recommendations on a decent table height while not making loading/unloading too difficult? Perhaps a 18" completed height? Any thoughts would be awesome?
I would be using this table for my CL360 project and for my '09 Bonneville -
Before I got my motorcycle lift, I used a table that was 10" of the ground and on locking caster wheels. It worked well, but didn't get most of the build to chest height.
If you're moving the bike on and off a table for general maintenance, I'd build one of the wood ones that actually changes height, or just save a bit more money and buy a used lift.
I built a static table for my XS650 project and it will come off when it's done, and probably never go back up on the table after that. I don't have room for a lift in my garage. If I did, I'd own one for sure.
My table is on castors, so I can pull it out to work on the bike.
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Hey Tim, thank you so much for all the info - definitely a huge help for me As for the design you mentioned above, while this would be amazing, I have already completed the structure of the table; I simply have to add the vertical supports (this is why I am trying to figure out the appropriate height now) - I had originally sketched it to be 2 feet tall but I think that will be too much of an incline - Think a total height of 15'-18' would suffice?The most important things with a ramp are:
- The platform you're going up to is stationary and cannot move (i.e. not on castors)
- The ramp is secured and can't come loose or move
- The height is reasonable - going up is harder than coming down
- Bring a friend
Hey Tim, thank you so much for all the info - definitely a huge help for me As for the design you mentioned above, while this would be amazing, I have already completed the structure of the table; I simply have to add the vertical supports (this is why I am trying to figure out the appropriate height now) - I had originally sketched it to be 2 feet tall but I think that will be too much of an incline - Think a total height of 15'-18' would suffice?
As for your bullet points above, I comfortable with all you mentioned except the castors; I was planning on installing locking castors on the base; is this something you would steer away from?
Thanks again man -
Your work table looks good. I can't remember how high mine is, around 18" maybe. I have found it very helpful for many things but in my case after getting the bike to rolling status I found it easier to leave the bike on the floor for wiring and final assembly. If I were going to do more builds I'd get one of the HF lifts for sure. Getting a bike that weighs a few hundred pounds down onto the floor can be tough on the nerves unless there are a few buddies available. Mine is fairly heavy w/ frame made from 2x6 lumber and legs from 4x4s. I've got to try and make a way to hang it from the rafters when I'm not using it so I've got a few more square feet of floor space available. If you haven't seen it try and find the thread about the work table that @trek97 made... it's drool-worthy!
Thanks @ridesolo I appreciate the input! - I will check out @trek97 for sure - The design of my project is more or less the same as @Tim - I am just trying to hammer out the final height - I was considering 18'; I'd love to know what you think of yours? Relatively easy to roll up and down? Do you think taking a few inches off would make life much easier?
Definitely handy for assembly and maintenance. There are crappy pix of mine near the beginning of my CL378 build (thank you Photo Bucket, you greedy jerks!). Frankly the up and down is a pain and, like I said, if I were doing more projects I'd invest in the lift table for sure. W/ a fixed height table and a ramp I suspect a common error would be to try and use a ramp that's too short. That would make for more work, too steep an angle, and bottom-scraping. On the other hand a ramp that's too long would flex easily unless it's pretty heavy. That's why, in my opinion a lift or a table like @trek97 made or the one in the pix @Tim provided would be the way to go if you've got plans to use it on multiple projects and long term.
Definitely handy for assembly and maintenance. There are crappy pix of mine near the beginning of my CL378 build (thank you Photo Bucket, you greedy jerks!). Frankly the up and down is a pain and, like I said, if I were doing more projects I'd invest in the lift table for sure. W/ a fixed height table and a ramp I suspect a common error would be to try and use a ramp that's too short. That would make for more work, too steep an angle, and bottom-scraping. On the other hand a ramp that's too long would flex easily unless it's pretty heavy. That's why, in my opinion a lift or a table like @trek97 made or the one in the pix @Tim provided would be the way to go if you've got plans to use it on multiple projects and long term.
Here is the plan for the table that Tim posted. It was developed during WWII by the US Army. The first shop I worked has these benches and they are pretty handy. I could easily get a single or twin on and off by myself. A four cylinder or a Harley required help. https://www.globaldimension.com/2018/06/wwii-wooden-motorcycle-workbench/