Two post car hoist to lift a bike?

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Mar 16, 2011 | 04:53 PM

sunsetdriver

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From: Utah

Two post car hoist to lift a bike?

I have a car hoist and have been thinking of making some special attachments for the hoist so that I can lift an motorcycle. I would use the arms of the Hoist, but one set of arms doesn't reach far enough inward to get under the bike.

Has anyone done this?

I was thinking of sliding two "C Channels" under the bike and attaching them to the hoist pads. That way I can lift the bike at the frame and have both wheels off the ground. I should be able to do any work comfortably that I need to with the bike up in the air.

I also need to come up with a wheel chock system that will keep the bike standing straight up and down (it makes it easier to lift with the hoist when they are standing straight up and down). The wheel chock system has to be adjustable so that I can fit any size front tire in it.

I would also be using tie downs to hold the bike stable while it was in the air.

Sorry, I posted this question in the wrong area. I am placing the thread in the "General HD Tech, Other" forum.

Thanks.

Last edited by sunsetdriver; Mar 16, 2011 at 07:44 PM. Reason: Wrong Forum

Mar 16, 2011 | 05:11 PM

silversmoke

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Save yourself a lot of trouble and possibly your hide

I would be concerned about the safety of such a hoist. Several hundred poiunds of motorcycle crashing down on you would not be fun.

My suggestion is to save yourself a lot of trouble and go with a J&S motorcycle jack. The J&S jacks are excellent quality and the company is a pleasure to do business with.

Mar 16, 2011 | 06:33 PM

piasspj

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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74

Quote:

Originally Posted by silversmoke

The J&S jacks are nice but I wouldn't be concerned with a two post car lift supporting a motorcycle.
Supporting a couple thousand pounds of automobile on a J&S (or any other) MC jack would scare me.

Mar 16, 2011 | 06:50 PM

Grummpy Bear

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From: N.W. Pa.

I've got a 2 post (12k lbs) auto lift in my shop, we have had everything from trucks to trailers to construction equipment on it, I'm pretty sure it could lift a motorcycle, the problem would be how to keep it straped down to the lift arms, I've always wanted to make a jig for bikes but haven't got to it yet, anyone done this let me know. Peace

Mar 16, 2011 | 07:23 PM

deepthought

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From: Calgary Canada

I've actually done this. I used to work at Chrysler dealership and had a flat at work one day.
I didn't lift the bike very high and certainly wouldn't in any event lift the bike high enough to work underneath.
Automotive hoists are not designed for motorcycles and my fear would be knocking one of the arms out while it was off the ground.
Pretty expensive bounce

Mar 16, 2011 | 07:51 PM

sunsetdriver

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From: Utah

I have also thought about building a platform (similar to a motorcycle table) that I could adapt to the arms of the hoist. Maybe design it so that if I needed to do tire work or suspension work, I could support the frame of the bike and then let either end of the table hinge down to let the tire be suspended.

I know, it's a lot of work but when shop space is a premium and you already have certain equipment, you might as well try and use the existing equipment.