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Lifts

6K views 40 replies 14 participants last post by  Motorbikerx 
#1 ·
Anyone ever use Harbor Freights cheaper version motorcycle lift? They have a pricier one but its too big for my garage. I don't plan on doing any heavy work like remove motor or trans but I do need to lift it and swap the kickstand pad. It would be nice to raise it for other things as well
 
#3 ·
yes you asking about lift or lift table. Both are good except the table comes with the worst tire vice. You'll need to change that.
Even look on craigslist you can find lifts on there for a not a bad price.
 
#4 ·
Thanks guys, yes I was referring to the lift type.
Hydraulic pump, two cross bars that go under the bike. It's on sale for sixty nine bucks now. For as often as I'll need it I thought it's a good deal
 
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#5 ·
Ya, i use mine all the time. I'd get a couple of their lashing straps as well. I like to secure the bike to the lift. One other trick is i lift it up high enough to put a full paint can under the rear tire. Then lower it just enough to put some pressure on it. The bike becomes rock solid and is great for cleaning, oil changes, etc.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
I have two - one in my summer and one in my winter location. Both work great. It is a little awkward jacking up a XCT since you need a small spacer but that is not the jack's fault.

G'day,

Vinish
 
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#8 ·
#16 ·
This one goes up and down off a worm gear? Do you use a pneumatic impact wrench on it or spin that handle? Seems like that would be a pain without power tools
 
#14 ·
Thanks HET, if I was doing it often, or for a living I'd not think twice about spending $$$$ but for the number of times I'll use it I can't justify it now. I'll have to look at the cheaper options
 
#12 ·
I've had the cheaper HF lift for a few years now. Works just fine. If I need the bike to stay put, I just strap it down; it's got loops on the lift.

Upsides:

Lifts stuff.

Inexpensive.

Downsides:

Doesn't roll for **** over gravel.

Doesn't fit easily under the Vegas.

Bottle jack crapped out after a year (the release valve actually got stuck in the open position. My fault for confusing the lift pedal and the release pedal most likely). Replaced it...cost almost as much as the whole damn lift. Replacement has a slightly longer casing further increasing the lift's minimum height. Now impossible to get under the Vegas, and sorta a pain to get under the XR. Probably gonna go buy the aluminum one since it's lower profile.
 
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#15 ·
Appreciate the feedback, that's kind of how it goes with HF tools and equipment. Might last a little while, might crap out on you the second time you use it
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
Do you mean you use both at the same time, can you explain?
Bike on the 2 arm lift and raise this up to support the wheel?
 
#25 ·
Thanks guys, a friend back east had the same lift. After seeing his I had to get one. It's not perfect (it is Chinese) but it works fine. It's pneumatic not pneumatic/hydraulic. I can't recommend the side extensions enough. The security of having someplace to put your feet down while riding the bike onto the lift is worth every penny. I attempted to ride the bike onto the lift without the side extensions only one time before drilling and bolting the extensions on full time.

Tech23
 
#26 ·
I have a Handy lift. Had it for more years then I can count. Have had over 100 different bikes on it. I rode a bagger on there once and even with extended sides on lift I could not find a place for my foot. So you know how big a vision is. I stand a broom handle up in the middle of the vice and with a good run I walk the bike on the lift. Grab the left hand bar with my right hand. Hold bike and with left hand crank the vice close. Once the jaws start tightening on the tire a wiggle the bike back an forth to get the tire centered in the vice.
Now the important part "always" one tie down strap on each side. If you put straps on the bars and pull hard on them you'll take a chance of moving the bars.
One more tip. If you have a lowered bike put a one inch block of wood under ramp so you don't bottom out on lift. One thing I don't like about Vic is the regulator on bottom of bike.
If your going to buy a lift get one with a drop trap door
 
#28 ·
Hey guys, I went with the HF lift, question for you all. I expected the frame would be lower than the crankcase but it's not that way. Do you lift your bike with the list on the crankcase? It can support the bikes total weight? Is that the same for cross country tour as well, which is one heavy beast.
 
#29 ·
Bully, email me at zittenfields@q.com and I'll send to you photos and the dimensions for an adapter that will make your bike solid on your lift.
 
#32 ·
It does help, are the lift bars on your crankcase or the frame of the bike?

That's one nice looking bike
 
#38 ·
On the scissor jack i removed the thin rubber and replaced it with 8 mm thick rubber, this stabilizes the bike nicely ... i drilled 2 holes in my lift-table exactly where my rear & front foot steps are, so i use 4 straps to hold the bike level onto the lift-table ...
 
#40 ·
Thanks for that, I'm an old car guy and putting a lift on anything but the frame just freaks me out
 
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