Motorcycle lift on a 4 post?

American · Aug 14, 2014

About to buy a 4 post and I need to start a refresh on my Buell S1 so was looking at motorcycle lifts too. While there's the possibility that I could have my Camaro on the lift for a period of time I was thinking that maybe I could simply add a removable wheel vise and tie down points to one of the runways on the 4 post.

1. It will certainly lift any motorcycle.
2. Lifts higher than I would ever need.
3. Has ramps.

... so why not?

I searched here but didn't find any threads where someone had already done this.. much to my surprise. Surely someone has... anyone?

It would be simple enough to drill a few holes for a wheel vice and a couple of tie down points and that's all I'd really need. I don't need a drop out plate.

Thoughts?

American · Aug 14, 2014

Guess it would be simple enough to use something like a Titan Bulldog chock and then drill the sides of the runways on the lift and add a couple of tie down points...that way you wouldn't have to remove them.

Bogey won · Aug 15, 2014

Seen pic on here of it done i spent $950 on a direct lift, for bikes, so save the money and put an adapter of sorts, be it 3/4 plywood and Ur wheel chock, i bought a different one from HF for $39, bucks, and its good, wheel goes in and drops a bit, bad back for me, but you have to pull it back out. But a buell should weigh less than a streetglide.

I welded mine to my smaller trailer, weld some tabs on the sides and pin it and save, since the one you pictured is $250 up i think, west-side Harley has one by the parts counter, call nick and see what he will do for you. Bet he will drop a bit. Or the eBay thang. Got a number for the guy in Azle ? PM me if you wish. I will Craigslist him an see what hes got, thanks.

American · Aug 15, 2014

Contact info for counter tops in Azle can be found here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257488

Ray916MN · Aug 15, 2014

I think the reason you don't see people doing this is a number of common jobs involve working on both sides of the bike (eg. changing tires, changing oil, valve adjustments) and working height is pretty low, so ducking under or crawling over the runway to get access to the opposite sides of the bike is going to get old fast. Going to also require some foresight to avoid having to deal with runway when you don't have the correct tools on the correct side of the bike.

American · Aug 15, 2014

All good points. One can pickup an HF lift for $429 right now. My thought was floor space when I would only use the MC lift a very small amount of time. However, with a pending strip down/refresh it would likely need to be on a lift for awhile.

Derek Weaver has their 1000lb lift (in black to match their 8K 4 post) which is overkill for my 385lb Buell but for $675 and is a nicer lift for sure than the HF unit I've looked at: http://www.derekweaver.com/bikers-garage/motorcycle-lifts/direct-lift-pro-cycle-droptail/

ProCycle_Suzuki1_2011__94870.1405419199.1280.1280.jpg

Ray916MN · Aug 15, 2014

The Harbor Freight tables are well worth the money. I wanted 2 tables, so I bought one thinking I'd buy a Handy or other nicer table and ended up buying a second. They are easier to move around with a bike on them than the nicer tables because they weigh half as much and have swivel casters on the front. They are almost always on sale for $329.

Another approach to lifting for a complete tear down is to use an engine hoist with straps to the frame. Provides complete access and makes it easy to move the bike aside when you're not working on it.

Even makes it easy to roll outside for degreasing.

panknuckshovel · Aug 15, 2014

American said:
All good points. One can pickup an HF lift for $429 right now. My thought was floor space when I would only use the MC lift a very small amount of time. However, with a pending strip down/refresh it would likely need to be on a lift for awhile.

Derek Weaver has their 1000lb lift (in black to match their 8K 4 post) which is overkill for my 385lb Buell but for $675 and is a nicer lift for sure than the HF unit I've looked at: http://www.derekweaver.com/bikers-garage/motorcycle-lifts/direct-lift-pro-cycle-droptail/

The Harbor Freight unit is decent/nice for home use, but it isnt $429 nice. It constantly goes on sale for either $329 or $349 and you can use the 20 or 25% of coupon on top.

Bogey won · Aug 15, 2014

Ive got the direct lift, as pictured, but with the side plates and the jack and all it was $950, i also have the HF table that i paid $200 used for, bought it in Weatherford, so Craigslist is your friend, the engine hoist, i always think of a deer dangling from a tree. Not steady at all, your experience may differ.

You can make most anything work in the short run, in the long run, a table is your best bet as you know. Bike salvage shop close to you in Tolar, forget the name. The HF on Grandbury road in Ft Worth has the manual pump up table on display, prices have gone up in the last few years, but use the 25 percent coupon if possible, if not 20 percent.

Make it a business expense and write it off, cause it doubles as a work table, set up table, lap top holder, what ever it takes to make it deductible. Thanks for the link in Azle.

Theres a Derk weaver on south 820 in ft worth, its at the Wichita exit behind the whataburger and to the west he used to have a 40 ford sedan on a lift with a Flathead and 2 deuces, friendly folks, check-em out, i don't have the contact info, but you can find it on the net i bet.

Bogey won · Aug 15, 2014

3 full size motorcycle lifts - $300 (waxahachie)

3 work and lift up by a foot pump/petal. they all have removable ramps and wheels for moving around the shop.

$300ea - or $800 for all 3

call or text: tanner 214-949-3109

post id: 4595241960

updated: 5 days ago

BARGAIN CITY, GUYS 3 LIFTS FOR 800 OR ONE FOR 300 ****, FIRE. bUY ALL THREE SELL ONE AND USE 2 FOR LESS THAN THE PRICE OF ONE NEW.

American · Aug 15, 2014

Called and spoke with him. It's a foot pump lift, no idea who the manufacturer or what the rating is. They are south of Dallas and I may venture over there this weekend to look but I'd really prefer a pneumatic. The HF is a foot pump too... having said that it's not like I'm working on bikes all day and raising it up and down every few minutes so it really wouldn't matter.

I do like how the ramp stays on the ground instead of with the lift deck.

Your CL lifts are pretty similar in design to the HF lift.. so the question is, if you can apply a coupon and what not do you spend 50-60 more with taxes on the HF, buy used for 300 or spend the money and buy a pneumatic from DW?

Heck.. I'll get out my HLVP gun and paint it if I really want.

OR... you guys want to go in and buy all 3? I'd bet we could offer 750 and each of us have one for 250 each (I like round numbers). I have a 16' trailer so grabbing them all at once is no big deal.

ibedayank · Aug 16, 2014

Who needs a wheelvice that can adjust to differnt wheels either front or rear? Or a panel that removes to allow you to drop out a wheel? Or good solid spots from tiedows to keep the cycle from dropping off the lift? Time to use the right tool made for the job.

Bogey won · Aug 18, 2014

Pretend its a stair stepper, get your exercise, you aint using it every day, should be gone this weekend, snoozing is losing. The extra one or two will sell despite the color. Seize the day. Or just drop one off in Aledo at a pards house on your way home, i can jump up $200 for him.

American · Aug 18, 2014

HF will have their lifts on sale next weekend for $299 and their 44" boxes for $359, which I need 3 of.

Sometimes snoozing pays off

See the pdf ad http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/home-page2014/images081914/August2104-PLS.pdf

Bogey won · Aug 18, 2014

I can hear you squeaking from here, you need some pb blaster, to loosen you up.I will buy one of the tables and that leaves you with one and a spare, and we all know, we need spares.

Try first Monday in weatherford its across the street from the courthouse to the southeast, used to be good for tools and such, now, i don't have the knowledge on the subject. Or traders village in Arlington, lots of flea market stuff, but if your in the area, worth a stop if your looking for some old stuff, wait till a cloud shows up and provides shade, that will put you in the mood.

Don't count on HF having 3 in stock call them check it out first they don't carry a large stock of boxes. They also don't carry much in stock on the top 44in box either. HF wont sell the on the floor boxes either, its for display and HF hangs on to them. Side boxes were 179 ? i think, may go there tomorrow, but a call is in order to make your needs known.

American · Aug 18, 2014

For $300 the HF lift being new is the way to go. Actually, since we aren't moving until Sept 18 or so I'm hoping they will let me buy what I want this weekend then pick them up the 19th or 20th of Sept... so stock won't matter to me.

Ray916MN · Aug 18, 2014

For the HF table you'll want to buy a wheel chock to replace the vise and if you're going to tear the bike down significantly you'll need stands to use on the table.

The chock shown in the following photo is the HF chock which regularly goes on sale for $29.95. It works decently and properly mounted allows you to lift the front wheel with a front stand while the wheel is in the chock. The Pit Bull stands (the front stand can be converted to a headstock stand) shown in the photo are first class, but unfortunately will cost more than the HF lift table.

American · Aug 18, 2014

Yeah, I have a set of Woodcraft stands and some good chocks around here somewhere. Nice collection you got there. I smell some pasta...

How stable is the HF lift? Overall quality?

I'm down to one Buell... used to have a whole stable full.

Ray916MN · Aug 18, 2014

Thanks, mostly rising sun, but some pasta too.

The HF strapless chock is well worth the $29.95. Works well enough to hold the bike on the table until you can put a rear stand on or strap it down. I've got Baxley and Condor strapless chocks and they are too big to be as nicely mounted to the table and the Pingel chocks don't hold the bike upright.

HF table is pretty stable, although not as stable as the Handy table for example. It is a bit prone to tipping forward when it is locked in the half raised position (ie. don't step or stand on the front of the table with a bike on it). With respect to quality, I think the best way to describe it, is for $300 the quality is quite good.

Never owned a Buell although I've test ridden a few and have the free giveaways to prove it.

American · Aug 18, 2014

Checked your Garage thread.. love the RS.. and a Slingshot! First really fast bike I ever rode was an 87 GSXR 750 when it was new, one of Dad's cousins used to race some for Yamaha in the 70's so he was always getting his hands on neat stuff.

Of course I love the 916's and would really like an 888SPO.

Of course a new EBR would give me wood...

I was pretty heavily involved with Buell for years and still speak to Erik Buell on occasion. Super guy.

Ray916MN · Aug 18, 2014

Good time to buy an 888 or 851. The market for them is soft with prices probably 20+% below peak prices.

Erik is a super nice interesting guy. I run an AMA sanctioned rally in Spring Green, WI and in early 2011 his guys were bringing the 11th 1190RS Carbon back from some testing (they wouldn't say, but it had to be getting done at S&S at Viola, WI.). They saw the bikes and stopped by and gave us a look at the bike.

At the time, they had yet to add the CF brake caliper duct of the final production bikes.

Motorcycle lift on a 4 post?

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