Bike lifts

[terryk]

I am lookin at buying a bike lift (work table)so I am just getting some advice from those that wanna give it. All replies and advise appreciated. There are some lifts with just hydraulic foot petal and some with the air lift as well. Here in Australia there is about $150 difference between them. Is it worth the extra money for air and wouldnt it be a bit annoying having to connect an airline and starting the compressor just to lift it when its up in not too long a time with the foot pedal. Thanks

[Brian]

I've got two of these Terry and I reckon they are great. Both mine are the hydraulic type that you pump up by foot and I find them good. I have modified both of mine so a bike can sit on them with both wheels in. I will take a couple of photos so you can see what I have done.

[muskrat]

Best tool I ever bought. Foot pump type. Get the largest capacity your budget will allow.
I have two blown disks in my back and wonder how I managed for so long without one !
Cheers

[Brian]

Terry, here is what I have done to mine.

When you buy them the ramp is quite long so when it is removed the rear wheel of the bike hangs over the end. I use mine to build bikes on so like to be able to sit a bike on with both wheels in. When I get mine I cut the ramp in half and weld, with bracing underneath, the front half to the bench. You have to shift the points that the ramp fixes to as well. You will be able to see in the pictures the join.

It takes a bit of work to do but I prefer them this way. I also weld two loops in the front corners to hook tie-downs onto. They are great inventions. They are also on wheels so even with a bike on you can move them around if necessary.

Brian.

[muskrat]

Brien, for an extra 50 you can get a longer one.
Cheers

[Brian]

Didnt know that Muskrat. Terry it looks like you will be able to choose which type you want.

[terryk]

Thanks Brian thats a great idea I will do that. I didnt know you could buy longer ones either. Muskrat might be pullin ya leg I will have to check that out now. How long is the top of yours without the ramp part welded?

[terryk]

Hey Brian your B31 is lookin really good by the way. You certainly spit em out and do a great job mate.

[muskrat]

True story, mine is foot pump lifts 400 kg and long enough to take a HD. Cost about $200 two years back.
Cheers

[Brian]

Terry mine were 135cm before I welded the extra bit on, they are now 175cm. I would have bought the longer ones if I had known they were available. I bought my first one about 5 years ago and the second one about 2 years ago. They are a terrific invention.

P.S. I went to the Ballarat swap, plunger A10 fuel tanks were like flies, all over the place (well, three of them anyway) I bought a good one with badges and kneepad plates for $50. Probably should have bought the other two, they were both good tanks capable of being re-chromed.

[muskrat]

G'day Terry,
                Here's a couple on fleabay. Mine is the red one but didn't pay that much.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Lift_W0QQitemZ110497730746QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories?hash=item19ba2d90ba
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-HYDRAULIC-MOTORCYCLE-LIFT-TABLE-PANEL-LIFTER-1000LB_W0QQitemZ320491517561QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4a9ec87679
Cheers

[minibsa]

Hi Terry, I have the full length long one (blue) that I bought from "spanner supplies" in Melbourne I think. They advertise in just bikes. I think it cost me about $600. including freight to Brisbane. It is hydraulic lift.and I find that quite easy to operate.
Cheers   Bob.

[terryk]

Strike Brian yeh you should have bought those tanks thats for sure. Its amazing how things like that pop up when you dont see them for ages. Was there much other A10 A7 stuff there Brian? I'm still chasing that 48 front engine mount. BTW did you use valve caps on your longstroke.

Thanks Muskrat and Bob I will check those bike lifts out. Im stretching the bank balance at the moment with a new bead blaster and I also just bought a 40 gallon parts washer on ebay and saved myself $50 compared to buying local including freight.
I will have wait a bit now for a bike lift but the advice is greatly appreciated thanks all.