Harbor Freight motorcycle lift

[BoschZEV]

I'm not looking for something to stand up in a corner, etc.

I know you're not interested in that type of lift, but for reference my Kendon is 8" high when fully lowered and if I took the time to unbolt the wheel chock from it. It's also 27" wide. It's difficult to imagine any lift being very much shorter or narrower than that.

[rbenash]

I think there's at least 7" under the Rolls - AKA the 2008 Honda CRV with just over 100K miles on it :-)

I was looking for brands and models as recommendations.

Not looking to sink a hole in the floor - don't have that budget.

Looks like folks on the thread don't have any serious recommendations if it's not a Harbor Freight style lift - I'll just keep looking around.

Thanks anyway - it's been fun. There has to be something in between bare bones cheap and high end - that's all I was looking for.

[BoschZEV]

I think there's at least 7" under the Rolls - AKA the 2008 Honda CRV with just over 100K miles on it

Google says there's only 6.7" clearance for a new CRV, so don't buy a lift until you actually check your older one. Then, try to remember never to trade in your CRV (or buy lower profile tires) for something else without checking its clearance.

[rbenash]

Yeah would definitely check for that. One bay can always stay dedicated to the bikes I suppose.

[pisten-bully]

Not looking to sink a hole in the floor - don't have that budget.

For snowcat maintenance we drive them up on planks so you can get under them (onto a lift for the bigger tasks). It's sort of like a reverse pit I guess. Note....you WILL trip on them one day!

[BoschZEV]

One bay can always stay dedicated to the bikes I suppose.

On the positive side, you no longer would need to carry a tire pressure gauge in your car. The lift would serve as a convenient audible alarm of low pressure, as it tore the bottom out of the oil pan...

[billpedalino]

I guess that applies to me - I bought the Handy BOB model. I love it, but it is EXPENSIVE!

I only think Len was indicating a higher level of comfort he (probably me, too) would have lifting a big investment in money and time off the ground with a more expensive lift. You do get what you pay for sometimes, and if you wish to spend more on a higher quality lift because it makes you feel more secure, there's no questioning that!

[Knotthed]

For snowcat maintenance we drive them up on planks so you can get under them (onto a lift for the bigger tasks). It's sort of like a reverse pit I guess. Note....you WILL trip on them one day!

I think he is referring to an approach like this.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2450703


Here is an in floor Handy
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...-floor.741263/


and other

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210350

http://www.kenandjudy.us/HomeWorksho...dtablelift.htm


Other related links

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...5433&showall=1

[BoschZEV]

I think he is referring to an approach like this.

A recessed lift is a great idea for someone whose motorcycles have to share garage space with a car, but I'm surprised all of them left the wheel chock attached to trip over, or to damage the car's bumper if it pulled a little too far forward. It would be easy enough to modify the current chock on most lifts to make it quickly detachable, such as is done by Pingel:

http://www.amazon.com/PINGEL-REMOVAB.../dp/B00G51PV70

[len dowe]

Looks like folks on the thread don't have any serious recommendations if it's not a Harbor Freight style lift - I'll just keep looking around.

Thanks anyway

I thought there was plenty of recommendations and a peaceful debate about it. Figure it out on whats good for you. That's what I did.

[Eddie G]

TITAN Had one for 5 years with no problems, its air operated. Also have a manual no name brand that i seldom use. Being able to lower and raise easily is very important to work comfortably. I'm constantly raising and lowering as i work.

[NiteOwl]

I have two lifts:
one is the Harbour freight which goes up and down with the hrdraulic foot pump, and has a locking bar to hold it at specoific heights. Works well.
The other is a HARDY knock off I beleive, its an air operated cylinder, price was more like $800 and it came with two extra platforms so i can use it for my gilfriends trike or you could drive an ATV onto it. This one also works well, just more $.

BOTH lifts I ahve added a bar (outrigger) to ensure that the lifts wont fall over to the side. I kow it sounds like overkill and one must watch to not trip over the bar (or Pipe) as its laying accross the floor, BUT if there is an earthquake or someone falls into the bike on the lift or whatever, . . its got a good chance of nNOT falling over.

[sprglde]

I have a friend who needed to share his space with a car so he made 2 12" wide platforms out of doubled up 2x4 n plywood to drive his car up on over his lift. Even has a 2x4 at the end so he wont hit the wheel vise. When he has a bike on it he stands on them or puts them up on their side under the lift. He has the same hf lift i have with air/hydraulic.
I push my bikes up on it sometimes, but i always drive my electraglide up on it with the seat off and never had a problem , feet fit on the lift and no scars. Im just super careful cuz I know I could get crushed,. And I won't ever drive foot cluch bikes onto it. It"s been about 10 yrs now and that $300 lift still works as new.

[L Burke]

Tom,
Late reply, I have owned on for about 10 years, fairly heavy use, from 09 Glide to Indian4. No problems, I sprung for the air over hydrolic model, with the heavier front wheel clamp. Easy drop out for the rear wheel. These are a virtual knockoff of an Italian model from years ago. No air or hydrolic Jack problems, we had a 4.8 quake do to fracking a few months back, I had my 441 on the lift as high as possible, we all wiggled around pretty good, no problems. I alway slide in the safety bar and let the pressure off, never have kept the pimp pre loaded.