Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Table Lift Loading Issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 27, 2022 | 08:40 PM
  #41  
MRFREEZE57's Avatar
MRFREEZE57
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,465
Likes: 6,330
From: pacific northwest
Default

Originally Posted by hattitude
I only work on my three bikes, with an occasional friend's bike thrown in the mix.... I ride them up, with modified (shortened) side extensions... however... I have always wanted to sink my lift into the floor. That way you could push or ride very easily..

I don't have the skills myself, but I have a friend who has worked with concrete for years. He says, "Pretty easy job... just take a little time, some labor, and a little concrete..."

Sounds like possibly a good choice for your lift....

Here's one of the pics I saved for when I decide to get motivated and do it....

I sure do like that idea, have a 28 by 36 foot garage and am running out of space, that would make it easier to store the lift out of the way.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 08:31 AM
  #42  
foxtrapper's Avatar
foxtrapper
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Navy
Veteran: National Guard
10 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by Cle_rider
He did say in the opening post he wasn't interested in riding the bike up..
Which might be why I didn’t suggest that.

But as was said, clarifying that he was specifically interested in getting non-running bikes up onto the lift would have also clarified the suggestions.

A longer ramp like you suggested is an option, it is not the only option.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 09:43 AM
  #43  
Cle_rider's Avatar
Cle_rider
Cruiser
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 131
Likes: 64
From: Cleveland
Default

Originally Posted by foxtrapper
But as was said, clarifying that he was specifically interested in getting non-running bikes up onto the lift would have also clarified the suggestions.
Would it have?

A longer ramp like you suggested is an option, it is not the only option.
Good grief, it is winter. "Clearly" I shouldn't have said "only real option" when trying to answer the actual question and should have said "realistically a longer ramp, in my humble opinion only, is likely to be the most practical and cost effective option to avoid having to spend money on a winch and set up or extensive concrete work, running around the shop pushing a bike, or having to call a friend for a push over every time a dead bike needs to go up on the lift." Sorry, did I leave something else out there as well? I guess one could use a engine hoist or shop crane and lift the bike up. Seems practical and not at all time consuming. I think I even saw that in a dealer once (disclaimer for the literal folk, that was a joke). I'll add a post script to my original post; "not intended to be taken literally but is a mere suggestion based on my personal experience, your mileage may vary." Would that meet your editorial standards? Let me know and I'll make the change (or not, because I just don't care, you know, internet and all).

OP my sincerest apologies for unintentionally implying my initial thought was the best and only option available. Thank goodness we have discerning readers to police this up. I'll let this thread get back to where it was.

 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 10:29 AM
  #44  
foxtrapper's Avatar
foxtrapper
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Navy
Veteran: National Guard
10 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by Cle_rider
Would it have?
Perhaps for you no.

If you load running and non-running bikes onto your lift the same way, it will make no difference.

No one has shot down your longer ramp option. It is quite viable. Just it is not the only way.
 

Last edited by foxtrapper; Dec 28, 2022 at 11:13 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 12:10 PM
  #45  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,706
From: South Carolina
Default

For cryin out loud man, get over it, you said your way was the only way, we corrected you.
It`s over, done, finished.
 

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Dec 28, 2022 at 12:27 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 06:19 PM
  #46  
Cle_rider's Avatar
Cle_rider
Cruiser
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 131
Likes: 64
From: Cleveland
Default

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC
For cryin out loud man, get over it, you said your way was the only way, we corrected you.
It`s over, done, finished.
You did correct me. Yes, I neglected to inform the group that calling a friend for help was another option beyond somehow decreasing the slope of the ramp. Well done.

And you're right, it seems to have been finished even before you felt the need to "correct" my statement:

Originally Posted by dpopgtl
Thata a good idea.. I have limited space but like you said, that might be the only option. I’m gonna look into a longer ramp, 4-5 feet. Thanks for actually answering my question. Cheers!
So lets drop this nonsense and get back to the question. Since you both keep saying there are other ways to make the loading process easier other than decreasing the slope of the ramp, by lowering the surface itself or lengthening the ramp, why don't you actually tell us what they are? That's why we all are here, isn't it? Someone else mentioned a winch, which is probably the only other idea offered for loading a non running bike on a regular basis, but what happens if it gets stuck half way up and won't unspool? Has anyone used a winch to load a bike? Genuinely curious as I am not getting younger and that's why I initially started reading this thread.

 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 07:13 PM
  #47  
Kenelz's Avatar
Kenelz
Tourer
Veteran: Navy
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 479
Likes: 319
From: FL winter, northern MI summer
Default

A winch should work. I used to use a HF with a wireless remote to load non running snowmobiles on a sled trailer.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 07:43 PM
  #48  
WONKEY's Avatar
WONKEY
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1,823
From: Omaha
Default

On my motorcycle trailer I have it set up with a double hitch from harbor freight, I use an electric winch to pull the bikes up if they are not running, this way I can load them myself. I have a steel bar about the width of the front end of the bike with eye hooks, I use the soft tie straps around the forks and wrench them up. Maybe you can fabricate a mount that will fit the lift.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 07:44 PM
  #49  
WONKEY's Avatar
WONKEY
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1,823
From: Omaha
Default

Originally Posted by Kenelz
A winch should work. I used to use a HF with a wireless remote to load non running snowmobiles on a sled trailer.
didn't see your post before posting mine
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2022 | 07:56 PM
  #50  
MRFREEZE57's Avatar
MRFREEZE57
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,465
Likes: 6,330
From: pacific northwest
Default

Originally Posted by foxtrapper
Which might be why I didn’t suggest that.

But as was said, clarifying that he was specifically interested in getting non-running bikes up onto the lift would have also clarified the suggestions.

A longer ramp like you suggested is an option, it is not the only option.
Short of having a couple extra guys to help I see no way one man could push the 930lb RGL up on the lift.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:16 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE