Let's talks lifts

[Tifun]

I've seen a lot of options recently for lifts and currently the harbor freight lift appears to be the best value for your basic garage builder. You can get them on sale for just under or right around the $300 mark. As far as I know price wise there really isnt anything else comparable. With that I would like to dedicate this thread to just lifts.

Please feel free to input some basic info below and most importantly please post a pic.


Price
Options
Where did you buy it(links would be benificial if bought online)
What brand
Any major issues
Any suggestions to make it better or more user friendly
How long have you had it
How often do you use it(daily,weekly,monthly,I wasted my money on this)

 

[Zoopants]

I've seen some nice ones for sale on my local craigslist under bike parts

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I have two of the Harbor Freight lift tables. They are great. The front wheel clamp is mediocre. I added a lot more "U" bolts along both sides as tie-down points. I've had no trouble with them. Had them for years.

 

[sasquach]

Agree with Alfadog the Hobo Freight is the most bang for your buck . The front clamp does suck but that's minor . Hell half the time I don't have it clamped anyhow

 

[Kanticoy]

Easy fix, $30 more from HF and you get this front chock. Drill holes, bolt down and never worry again.

 

[midlyfcrisis]

harbor freight here.i wanted something from kl supply but id rather buy parts and my back is still grateful

 

[Rich Ard]

If you buy the HF lift make sure there is oil in the jack blah blah blah.

I also love mine.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

If you buy the HF lift make sure there is oil in the jack blah blah blah.

I also love mine.

Yep, my $300 H.F. version needed oil as well. But it said so right in the manual. Also told how to purge air out of the system. 10 pumps with the valve open.... The rubber plug was kind of a bitch to put back in the fill hole.
I LOVE MINE!

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

get this front chock. Drill holes, bolt down and never worry again.

I would hate that. How do you remove the front wheel? What if you are servicing the forks or changing steering stem bearings?

The stock clamp is kinda lame, and will not safely support a bike without tie down straps. BUT... I can position tie downs near the rear of the bike, put a jack under the engine, and raise the front wheel. I remove one bolt from the wheel stop at the front, and I can roll the front wheel off of the bike.

 

[sasquach]

This is what I use to pick up the whole bike when removing wheels and such . Made it out of a old car jack . I wasn't about to pay as much for one of these as I did the table . Had my Shadow on it for most of last winter .

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I did a less elaborate modification to a car jack, just giving it a wider base. I have stands that I can put in the place of the wheels if I want to take both wheels off.

 

[4eyes]

ADC you can roll the bike on the lift backwards, and chock the rear wheel and remove the front.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Never thought of that.

 

[SONICJK]

ADC you can roll the bike on the lift backwards, and chock the rear wheel and remove the front.

Damn you beat me to it!

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

ADC you can roll the bike on the lift backwards, and chock the rear wheel and remove the front.

Here I was using a sand bag thrown across the rear fender!

 

[Kanticoy]

ADC you can roll the bike on the lift backwards, and chock the rear wheel and remove the front.

Exactly what I do. Easy peasy. Plus the wheel drop out panel is in the back. Makes sense.

 

[Rich Ard]

This is what I use to pick up the whole bike when removing wheels and such . Made it out of a old car jack . I wasn't about to pay as much for one of these as I did the table . Had my Shadow on it for most of last winter .

Definitely going to make one of these up - thanks man!

 

[Tifun]

Well. Just got a 25% off coupon emailed to me from HF. Guess I'm going there Friday to get a lift.

I dig the scissor lift as well.anyone build any small tool trays for the sides?

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

On mine, the whole thing can be a tool tray at times. The contact patch of the motorcycle doesn't take up much actual surface space.

:

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I sometimes use a lift table as a stool height work table. I have two rolling shop stools for each lift table. That way, when I go to the other side of the table, I don't have to drag the stool with me. A lot of times, if I am doing something like an engine rebuild or carburetor work. I clear one of the lift tables, and adjust it to a good height to work at while sitting on a shop stool.