Motorcycle lifts
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
Motorcycle lifts
Since us Evo guys love to work on our bikes, I've been looking at puchasing a lift for my Ultra. I looked on Harbor Freight's website and they have an aluminum cycle lift by Central Hydraulics for $169.99. The other one is a red table lift with a foot pump for $499.99. Does anyone out there have either of these lifts, and if so, how do you like them?? It's not as easy for me to crawl around on the floor as it used to be. lol.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
I bought one of the Harbor Freight steel lifts years back when I had a much smaller bike. I'm still using it, but I'm not real comfortable using a $100 lift for a $18000 bike. I'm planning on picking up a Pit Bull lift this summer. End of worries.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
I have one of the HF hydraulic lifts. Keep in mind that it is a lift, for lifting, not for raising something way up in the air for heavy duty wrenching. I welded an extra stop on mine so I can raise the bike level with it and lock it there, with the wheels still on the ground. That way it's stable and level and I can work on the left side easy. I still use my old home made bar-over bike lift most of the time.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: MA
I have the red table lift with the foot pump, though I think I paid $375.00 3-4 years ago. It works fine for my Road King and some smaller bikes. I have (err... request), the wife stand at the front and crank the clamp on the front wheel when I drive it up on the table. I have been thinking of making some wood boxes/ramps, the same height as the table at that point, to put on either side to allow me a wider stance to manage the bike better. I can put the smaller bikes on it by myself, but the RK is too heavy to gamble with.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
wait until the harbor freight table lift goes on sale, i think I picked mine up for sub-$300 with a 20% coupon. Immediately throw the cheap clamp away that comes with it and mount one of their wheel chocks (http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcy...ock-96349.html)
I can mount both my Dyna and my dad's bagger by myself no problem.
I can mount both my Dyna and my dad's bagger by myself no problem.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: central NC
I bought a used red harbor freight table lift for 200 bucks a while back. Do not see how I went this long without it. The only weak reviews I read was the poor grease fittings and the lift going down to fast. Well they must have updated the lift because mine has regular screw in grease fittings and mine goes down very slow. Will barely go down at all without a bike on it and the guy said he done no modifications to it.
This wheel clamp will hold a bike but I wouldn't trust it. I believe the wheel clamp on this lift is just there to keep the tire from turning. Which it does that very well and even the good quality clamps have been known to drop a bike or two when people rely soley on the clamp and no straps. I use soft ties on the bars and ratchet straps. I cut the bottom part of the S hook off tof he strap and bolt the hoop that is left on the strap directly to the eye hooks on the table.
I set it all up before I put the bike on the lift. I adjust the wheel clamp to were it is barely wider than the tire so the wheel can not turn. I then put my soft ties on the bars and set the straps up to where I just reach down and hook them up once the bike is on the table. Very simple. Once the bike is secure I usually throw a jack under it and put enough pressure to hold the bike then I loosen the clamps off. Unless I am going to be working under the belly. Then I just leave the straps on it. The jack will hold the bike and I leave the straps on but loose just incase. When I get ready to take it down I can just tighten the straps back up as the jack relieves pressure.
This wheel clamp will hold a bike but I wouldn't trust it. I believe the wheel clamp on this lift is just there to keep the tire from turning. Which it does that very well and even the good quality clamps have been known to drop a bike or two when people rely soley on the clamp and no straps. I use soft ties on the bars and ratchet straps. I cut the bottom part of the S hook off tof he strap and bolt the hoop that is left on the strap directly to the eye hooks on the table.
I set it all up before I put the bike on the lift. I adjust the wheel clamp to were it is barely wider than the tire so the wheel can not turn. I then put my soft ties on the bars and set the straps up to where I just reach down and hook them up once the bike is on the table. Very simple. Once the bike is secure I usually throw a jack under it and put enough pressure to hold the bike then I loosen the clamps off. Unless I am going to be working under the belly. Then I just leave the straps on it. The jack will hold the bike and I leave the straps on but loose just incase. When I get ready to take it down I can just tighten the straps back up as the jack relieves pressure.
Last edited by topfuel7; May 10, 2011 at 09:54 PM.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
A couple of years ago I bought Harbor freights yellow jack and it worked ok but I recently bought a jack from J&S Jacks. It is by far a much better jack. When I put my bike on it the first time the stability of it amazed me.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
Buy the full bike lift not the center lift. You will be very glad you did. I have the Harbor Freight lift with the air assist and the better chock. Best purchase I ever made.....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 280
Likes: 41
From: Michigan
I have the HF red table. So far so good just got it last fall. I did what JimMa mentioned. Took 2 2x10's and put some blocks with a 4x4 and 1x2 under them which makes them level with ramp when lowered. You can then ride up ramps with your feet at ramp level.