Motorcycle table/lift/jack? What would you suggest?

[mysta2]

I've always thought something like this would be ideal:

Maybe better at half the height. One could either use tie down straps secured to the tops of the caster tubes or a tire vise.

 

[nemocb]

Not cheap but handy if you dont have much room to keep a lift.

http://www.kendonusa.com/lifts.html

 

[biker_reject]

Hey, I like that! $599 is kind of steep, but you have to love the convenience.

 

[Tim]

Just to put it out there if anyone wants to know.

My work bench/lift/table whatever you want to call it is very fitting for all the work I do on bikes. It has a weight capasity of 950lb. with the casters on, and I figure about 1500lb. without the casters (I could buy beefier casters to hold this weight, but they cost more). I built mine very cheaply as I used scrap lumber from other projects and that friends donated to me. Only things I bought were the casters, the lag bolts for the casters, a box of 3 in heavy duty wood screws, and 6 large lag eye bolts for the strap down points. I use my loading ramp to load and unload bikes, and as I have stated before it is really comfortable to work on a bike with its hieght. The casters are a must as it makes it very easy to move around the shop as needed. I would estimate that you could buy all the materials needed for less than $80, casters are the most expensive part, if you omit those you can build it for like $35-$40.

Yep - that's pretty much what I'm looking to build, just a bit shorter. Got any more pics / plans? I know it's a simple box - I'm looking to expose my casters as they have locks on them. I picked up 4 heavy duty casters with 5 inch wheels and locks for $5 each at Princess Auto the other day.

 

[tWistedWheelz]

My casters have locks and I can operate them fine in that location. I do have more pics, and can get you some plans with measurements once I get home from the office. I think you will find the overall height of 25 inches to be comfortable, as I would not want mine any lower, in fact if I were to build another, it would be about 3-5 inches taller.

edit: my casters are 3 in heavy duty swivel casters with lever locks

 

[mysta2]

Or this:

Designed with leveling casters like this:

in mind, and a tube wheel chock at the front.

25 inch table height. It could all be 3/4 ply (laminated to make 1.5 for the top and bottom, single wall for the sides)

I might go ahead and build myself a couple of these. You don't think they would fall over do you?

 

[Tim]

Well if they fall on you, slap some sides on the thing and toss it in the hole - you're done!

Just finished watching a Top Gear ep with the Reliant Robin driven around. Couldn't help but think of it when I saw the drawings

 

[mysta2]

LOL, yes. I don't think I'll be needing to drive my lift table around any corners... if I did I'd just have to fit a roll cage

That does make me wonder though if that fourth caster is even necessary.

 

[tWistedWheelz]

Here is the best plans I could really come up with, hope it helps! I do not have a 3d model program so I can off you fancy CADs of my home built work table like mysta2....SORRY!Feel free to ask questions. There are plenty of pics of it in this thread and in my build thread (you can link to it by clicking my sig).

 

[tWistedWheelz]

Oh yeah, my casters are 175lb. each, and use lots of screws!!!!!

Also, predrill all holes for the lags!

 

[IndieSol]

That's probably my favorite episode. Something about seeing that car slide past the stationary camera frame on it's side.

 

[biker_reject]

Well if they fall on you, slap some sides on the thing and toss it in the hole - you're done!

Just finished watching a Top Gear ep with the Reliant Robin driven around. Couldn't help but think of it when I saw the drawings

I thought it was awfully coffin shaped! :-D

 

[JRK5892]

my old man works at the hospital, brought me home sheets of what prostetics uses to make body parts... i cut them to match the shape of the table and they work great, do not suck up greace, makes bolts easier to see... just all around easier to work with if you look close on the red lift oyu can see it under the bike

 

[mysta2]

Finished one tonight:



I ditched the Reliant Robin Coffin shape because I was having a hell of a time figuring out how to cut it on a table saw

Also ended up putting the supports in the center because storage would be easier to access and it uses exactly two sheets of 3/4 ply this way with no waste. The wheel chock is one of the ones that was until recently in my van, Harbor Freight.



Only thing I have to do now is make another one, and put peg board on the center pieces to hang parts baggies... oh and maybe skin the top with something. I saw one which used vinyl tiles for a top surface, I'll have to check into that.

There's more in depth info in my blog if interested (click the pics)

Kit

 

[JRK5892]

NICE man!!!

 

[joeyputt]

I built this bike table on new years day as I wanted my reverse port project to have its own table. It is similar to the table Brother Twisted has. I built it roughly two feet tall and eight feet long so it is long enough for an extended swingarm bike or chopper later on. I still need to add a wheel chock. I love having this table!

 

[Tim]

These are some great ideas and designs - can't wait to build mine.

 

[lockard666]

for casters, take a few sockets with you(maybe 5/8"-1") and a pair of channel locks, jump in the car & drive some junky back alleys where you know there will be a shopping cart or two lying around... also, sometimes damaged carts go to the dumpster out back, especially after a big snow when some get plowed under & destroyed... on most carts, the rear wheels are welded on, but the front "turny" wheels are bolted, hence the sockets... i dunno what they're rated at, but they are F'nHD & they're big so they roll nice... i've had a set on my mig cart for 10 years... don't get mugged or shot... hope this helps.

 

[theracedude]

Thanks for all the plans. Got me thinking again, What ever i do i will need some kind of hoist. I had to ask the wife to help me lift the cb750 engine 3 times today. I need to be able to do that stuff by my self or get some friends to hang around my shop........better start looking for a hoist.

 

[310weber]

I don't have a lot of room in my garage and I have to be able to push the bike out of the way when I'm done so the better half and kids don't get upset with me. I built this simple little dolly out of 2x4 one afternoon and it works great.

I put fixed casters on the front and swivelling/locking casters on the rear. It's easy to wheel it out when I want to work and back against the wall when I'm done.

Cheers,
Arnie