Using a Wheel Chock to do Maintenance
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
I've been using the HF wheel chock for almost a year now. I have it bolted into the garage floor concrete. I started using it with my former FXDC, then with the RK, and now with the FLTRUSE after a simple adjustment.
I just ride into the chock after a ride and leave the RG in gear. If you need to raise the front wheel you can place a fitted board between the rails or just use a Sears type lift. Maintenance is simpler with the HF chock. I think I paid around $39 for it on a sales coupon. I can't see how the more expensive chock models can work any better than this bargain.
I would highly recommend that this chock be bolted into the floor for best results.
I just ride into the chock after a ride and leave the RG in gear. If you need to raise the front wheel you can place a fitted board between the rails or just use a Sears type lift. Maintenance is simpler with the HF chock. I think I paid around $39 for it on a sales coupon. I can't see how the more expensive chock models can work any better than this bargain.
I would highly recommend that this chock be bolted into the floor for best results.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 36
From: Oklahoma
I built one using 2 2x8s, some galvanized pipe and flange. Puts a wheel about 1" off the ground depending where it is placed under the frame. Uses that new fangled Archimedes principle thingy called a lever effect.
Late entry: found the plans for it: http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm
Late entry: found the plans for it: http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm
I put one of these together about 10 years ago. I've used it on my last three bikes with no problems. I've used wheel chocks before, but this thing is so handy it's silly. You can have the bike on it in about thirty seconds. It sits under the frame, so the bike feels very steady.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Hickory, NC
I think either one is fine. However, if I were going to use the HF chock I'd mount it on something for better stability.
Personally, I use the Wheel Dock which is easily moveable from my trailer to the garage. However, it's a lot more expensive than all the other chocks mentioned.
The biggest advantage you'll gain is just getting the bike upright. With the chocks that get the front wheel a couple inches off the floor, it can be an advantage for some things but for me, I couldn't get my drain pain underneath the bike for fluid changes by raising that little. IMHO, for fluid changes you really need a motorcycle jack.
If all you're going to use the chock for is maintenace you don't need to invest a lot of money in it. If you're going to use if for dual function (i.e. maintenance and trailering) I'd look at the Wheel Dock, Condor PS-1500, or Black Widow.
Personally, I use the Wheel Dock which is easily moveable from my trailer to the garage. However, it's a lot more expensive than all the other chocks mentioned.
The biggest advantage you'll gain is just getting the bike upright. With the chocks that get the front wheel a couple inches off the floor, it can be an advantage for some things but for me, I couldn't get my drain pain underneath the bike for fluid changes by raising that little. IMHO, for fluid changes you really need a motorcycle jack.
If all you're going to use the chock for is maintenace you don't need to invest a lot of money in it. If you're going to use if for dual function (i.e. maintenance and trailering) I'd look at the Wheel Dock, Condor PS-1500, or Black Widow.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
The Harbor Freight wheel chock would be useless to me if it wasn't anchored. I guess you can temporary anchor one to a sheet of plywood.
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