After much searching, and saving I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a lift table. One has a drop for the front, the other doesn't. (Handy Sam 2 or there BOB 1500) My question is if I pull the bike off the front of the lift onto a platform and then jack up and tie down leaving the front of the bike off of the lift to remove wheels, forks etc... will I have a problem with the weight not being even and the lift tipping forward?

 

I have a Handy-Lift. No drop out panels. Any front end work on my lift is a pain-in-the-***. Never tried what you're questioning. I'll keep you're idea in the back of my mind for the future though.

Also never used a lift with drop out panels so I don't really know what I'm missing but I do think they would be a nice feature.

I think K&L has some really nice lifts with front and rear drop outs. Never saw one in person but on their website they look really cool.

 

I do not have any drop panels but I do have a Handy. If you are purchasing new and plan on using it lots for many jobs, consider the Electric model. For the few dollars more you do not need to fire up the air compressor, just plug it in. I like it for ease of use for setting at all different levels/heights you will find yourself using. At a shop I was at the table had a problem right at the time the safety bar was puller and the table dropped and the bike fell of the table. I do not care what table you are buying but I am glad I bought the type I did. THe pain of more money is overshadowed by the comfort it provides years later. I have had my electric for 6 years now and do not use the air tables for my own bike.

 

As long as the center of gravity on the bike is between where the supports touch the ground you should be OK. Put the bike in position and strap it down before raising the table, that way you should be able to see how stable it is without having the bike 3 feet up.
My table has a drop out panel at the rear. For front end work I have backed a bike on to the table. Drop outs at both ends looks like a nice feature, I never saw one like that when I bought my table.

 

Me either. But if I were in the market for a lift today I think this would be a must have.

Check out the MC625R and the MC655R at klsupply.com. Not sure what the price is but these look like a couple of the nicest lifts I've seen.

 

The table I use also has a drop out panel for the rear, if I have to remove the front tire I use the craftsman floor jack and strap it down.

 

i have the harbor freight air lift with the rear slide out and have a bike on it now with both wheels off ! it's setting on blocks on the table. (4 tie downs)
think about what your doing and just make sure it's stable

 

I use a craftsman bike jack for front end work. Lift table for the rest

 

Never had any trouble removing a front wheel using my Handy Table. I put my scissor jack under the front of the frame tubes and tie down the back end. Then open the front wheel clamp and lift the front up with the scissor jack. Pull the front axle, etc. so the wheel is ready....and then I pull the pin on the wheel stop so the wheel will roll forward off of the table. Voila!!

 

I use the Handy Lift air table (no drop panel) and I replaced the clamping front vice with a Condor-lift.com trailer wheel chock ($185). I now ride on, it's secure to step off the bike, use a scissor lift plate made for M/C's ($100), and pull 2 quick pins from the Condor to allow the front tire to roll out the front.