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Post by scooter on Jan 11, 2015 2:52:27 GMT -5
 Harbor Freight has this motorcycle lift on sale for $300. It's too soon to say how long it will last, but so far it is working well. It puts the bike right where I want it, and now working on the lower parts of the bike is a breeze. It has a nice, wide, platform so there is plenty of space to sit your tools and nuts and bolts. The castors allow you to re-position the bike for the best lighting or to move it wherever you want to store or work on it. I haven't used the removable panel yet, but it looks like I'll be able to pull a scooter engine out with the bike just sitting on its center stand without having to put blocks under it. The release pedal can let the bike down very slowly or very fast. There are holes in the plate underneath to adjust it, so I'll be setting that plate to reduce the travel of the pedal. The pedals can be removed to make room for your feet. Reviews were sketchy. Some people said the safety bar bent, but it's about an inch in diameter and, while I haven't yet tried putting a thousand pounds on it, it isn't phased by having a 400 lb scooter on it. Some people said their jacks came without oil, so I bought some, but mine was full and working properly. Others said they didn't like the wheel chock that came with the unit, and opted to buy bigger one, but I found it adequate. The sales person said they use several manufacturers, each with different SKU numbers, so if one manufacturer makes bad products, they can drop them. Hopefully they have, or will, drop the ones creating problems. The jack comes with a  day warranty. They have long term return and on-site service plans available, but they are a bit pricey so I opted out of those. For the price, if it works for a long time, it will be a good bargain and it makes working on bikes a lot easier. |
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Post by tvnacman on Jan 11, 2015 10:22:33 GMT -5
I have been eyeballing them for some time .
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Post by scooter on Jan 11, 2015 11:47:47 GMT -5
I have been eyeballing them for some time . Me too. I think I'm in luv!  |
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Post by sasquach on Jan 11, 2015 11:49:54 GMT -5
Been using one for 5 years now , beats crawling on ground!
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Post by jerseyboy on Jan 11, 2015 11:58:38 GMT -5
I've seen vidoes on youtube where they lift 800 pound bikes no sweat!
I would like one too,,was going to get one possibly this week but I found a $300 150 scoot on CL that I want to flip first.
Its amazing how you can make $$ just flipping stuff on CL,,bought an ESP LTD FM 401 guitar for $250 a couple weeks ago,,just sold it for $400 yesterday...only $ out of my pocket was $20 for fuel to go get the guitar.
I have one of those craftsman motorcyclist lifts,,its doeskin go that high and would have to take all the bottom panels off the scoots to lift them,,so I'm probably going to sell that on CL as well..
I will have one of these HF lifts sooner or later..
Tom
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Post by dmartin95 on Jan 11, 2015 13:30:55 GMT -5
Reviews were sketchy. Some people said the safety bar bent, but it's about an inch in diameter and, while I haven't yet tried putting a thousand pounds on it, it isn't phased by having a 400 lb scooter on it. Some people said their jacks came without oil, so I bought some, but mine was full and working properly. Others said they didn't like the wheel chock that came with the unit, and opted to buy bigger one, but I found it adequate. The sales person said they use several manufacturers, each with different SKU numbers, so if one manufacturer makes bad products, they can drop them. Hopefully they have, or will, drop the ones creating problems. The jack comes with a day warranty. They have long term return and on-site service plans available, but they are a bit pricey so I opted out of those. For the price, if it works for a long time, it will be a good bargain and it makes working on bikes a lot easier. As you all may or may not have seen in my videos, I have one of these Harbor Freight motorcycle lifts as well... They are perfect for a scooter, but as an owner of one, You couldn't pay me enough to wrench on fully dressed bike on it. It would be too dangerous. I would be too scared the lift may tip side to side... This is not a heavy duty lift, by any means... In short, I would not buy it to work on Motorcycles. When I purchased mine from a retail location, I had to add "hydraulic fluid", not oil. If you purchased one filled, I would wager it was a customer return. They do not typically come filled.. The removable panel is nice and great for getting at the underside of the engine, but you will not be pulling an engine through it. You wouldn't even want to..... If you're using this only to work on scooters, It will more than likely last a lifetime. But I would not buy it as a motorcycle lift. |
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Post by jerseyboy on Jan 11, 2015 14:09:16 GMT -5
Really what can go wrong with it other than the bottle jack leaking,,its all steel and rated for 1K lbs.
I think the people who bent the bar where lowering very heavy loads suddenly onto the safety bar,,if you go easy there shouldn't be a problem.
Like most HF stuff,,a few upgrade mods always can make them better..I would build my own wheel chock for it..
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Post by scooter on Jan 11, 2015 14:38:16 GMT -5
Reviews were sketchy. Some people said the safety bar bent, but it's about an inch in diameter and, while I haven't yet tried putting a thousand pounds on it, it isn't phased by having a 400 lb scooter on it. Some people said their jacks came without oil, so I bought some, but mine was full and working properly. Others said they didn't like the wheel chock that came with the unit, and opted to buy bigger one, but I found it adequate. The sales person said they use several manufacturers, each with different SKU numbers, so if one manufacturer makes bad products, they can drop them. Hopefully they have, or will, drop the ones creating problems. The jack comes with a day warranty. They have long term return and on-site service plans available, but they are a bit pricey so I opted out of those. For the price, if it works for a long time, it will be a good bargain and it makes working on bikes a lot easier. As you all may or may not have seen in my videos, I have one of these Harbor Freight motorcycle lifts as well... They are perfect for a scooter, but as an owner of one, You couldn't pay me enough to wrench on fully dressed bike on it. It would be too dangerous. I would be too scared the lift may tip side to side... This is not a heavy duty lift, by any means... In short, I would not buy it to work on Motorcycles. When I purchased mine from a retail location, I had to add "hydraulic fluid", not oil. If you purchased one filled, I would wager it was a customer return. They do not typically come filled.. The removable panel is nice and great for getting at the underside of the engine, but you will not be pulling an engine through it. You wouldn't even want to..... If you're using this only to work on scooters, It will more than likely last a lifetime. But I would not buy it as a motorcycle lift. I agree. It is probably best used for a bike of around 600cc or less. I didn't plan to pull the engine though the slot, just to let the tire down in it a little. If I recall, last time I had to put the stand up on some wood blocks for some reason. The oil they sell is called "Hydraulic and Jack Oil". Yes, I'm assuming it's hydraulic fluid. The sales person said they come with oil in them. The jack was in a crate, wrapped in plastic, with no visible marks or scratches on any of the parts, and I broke the paint around the fill hole when I opened the plug.
Yes, I have seen your shop. It's very nice. I'll be wanting one of those tire changers next, and I'll need a mill, and a lathe, and a welder, and one of those things that puts out cold beer on tap. That's very important. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 11, 2015 15:07:10 GMT -5
Really what can go wrong with it other than the bottle jack leaking,,its all steel and rated for 1K lbs. I think the people who bent the bar where lowering very heavy loads suddenly onto the safety bar,,if you go easy there shouldn't be a problem. Like most HF stuff,,a few upgrade mods always can make them better..I would build my own wheel chock for it.. The only thing I don't get about the the chock, not the vice, is that if you put down the center stand the bike goes back several inches, so I'm not really using it. If I built a chock, I'd make it adjustable like the vice is, so I could put the bike on the center stand and then push or screw the chock back to the tire. From what I gather, some people want the tall wheel chock, with sides on it, so they can back the bike up into it and it will hold up their bike while they strap it down. That sounds convenient. |
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Post by shalomdawg on Jan 11, 2015 15:11:44 GMT -5
howdy, i recently got another of the harbor freight lifts like op pictured. the first was great but this one wasn't assembled well and i'm having some issues. the usual issue is trying to lift the max and coming to the end of the ram travel then pushing the seal out by trying to go higher. don't do it. still, i really like getting the scooters up cause i have such limitations that even checking the tire pressure is a painful struggle without it. my honda shadow front wheel is gripped by the wheel gripper well enough to get the fasteners on before it falls over. that's good. the bv, i just put on the center stand and it works fine. all in all, i think it's an ok addition to the shop and can be used for a work bench even without the scooter on board.
ken
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Post by jerseyboy on Jan 11, 2015 15:20:24 GMT -5
Really what can go wrong with it other than the bottle jack leaking,,its all steel and rated for 1K lbs. I think the people who bent the bar where lowering very heavy loads suddenly onto the safety bar,,if you go easy there shouldn't be a problem. Like most HF stuff,,a few upgrade mods always can make them better..I would build my own wheel chock for it.. The only thing I don't get about the the chock, not the vice, is that if you put down the center stand the bike goes back several inches, so I'm not really using it. If I built a chock, I'd make it adjustable like the vice is, so I could put the bike on the center stand and then push or screw the chock back to the tire. From what I gather, some people want the tall wheel chock, with sides on it, so they can back the bike up into it and it will hold up their bike while they strap it down. That sounds convenient. Scooter,, You should pick up a HF shop press also,,i got the 20 ton one on sale for like $150,,reviews said the ram frame was sloppy in the main frame. It did have a little side to side slop but I fixed that right up by inserting four of those sticky slider pads used for the bottom of your furniture so it wont scratch the floor..Wally World had them and now its tighter than a bullfrogs butt hole 10ft under water..sweet press..I got the orange one. Used it for GY6 drive gears,leaf spring shackle bushings and mower blade spindle bearings so far..works awesome and is a must for any inspiring small engine/auto tech. Also would like to add HF has an awesome 3 piece gear puller set,,the smallest one believe its 3" will work perfect for the infamous starter gear on the GY6 that gives everybody a hard time.The blind hole bearing puller is on my list too,,remove any bearing with the slam of the slide hammer.Quick and easy,,no fussing around with hammers,sockets,and punches anymore... Tom |
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Post by scooter on Jan 11, 2015 15:29:31 GMT -5
The only thing I don't get about the the chock, not the vice, is that if you put down the center stand the bike goes back several inches, so I'm not really using it. If I built a chock, I'd make it adjustable like the vice is, so I could put the bike on the center stand and then push or screw the chock back to the tire. From what I gather, some people want the tall wheel chock, with sides on it, so they can back the bike up into it and it will hold up their bike while they strap it down. That sounds convenient. Scooter,, You should pick up a HF shop press also,,i got the 20 ton one on sale for like $150,,reviews said the ram frame was sloppy in the main frame. It did have a little side to side slop but I fixed that right up by inserting four of those sticky slider pads used for the bottom of your furniture so it wont scratch the floor..Wally World had them and now its tighter than a bullfrogs butt hole 10ft under water..sweet press..I got the orange one. Used it for GY6 drive gears,leaf spring shackle bushings and mower blade spindle bearings so far..works awesome and is a must for any inspiring small engine/auto tech. Also would like to add HF has an awesome 3 piece gear puller set,,the smallest one believe its 3" will work perfect for the infamous starter gear on the GY6 that gives everybody a hard time.The blind hole bearing puller is on my list too,,remove any bearing with the slam of the slide hammer.Quick and easy,,no fussing around with hammers,sockets,and punches anymore... Tom Will do. I used to use a big 4" electric powered hydraulic press for industrial stuff. SCA-RY! That thing would bend the 2" thick frame around like it was plastic, and the noises that thing would make! OOOEEEE!!! I wished I go hide around the corner and operate it from a safe distance, and behind some walls! |
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Post by jerseyboy on Jan 11, 2015 19:38:09 GMT -5
Scooter,, You should pick up a HF shop press also,,i got the 20 ton one on sale for like $150,,reviews said the ram frame was sloppy in the main frame. It did have a little side to side slop but I fixed that right up by inserting four of those sticky slider pads used for the bottom of your furniture so it wont scratch the floor..Wally World had them and now its tighter than a bullfrogs butt hole 10ft under water..sweet press..I got the orange one. Used it for GY6 drive gears,leaf spring shackle bushings and mower blade spindle bearings so far..works awesome and is a must for any inspiring small engine/auto tech. Also would like to add HF has an awesome 3 piece gear puller set,,the smallest one believe its 3" will work perfect for the infamous starter gear on the GY6 that gives everybody a hard time.The blind hole bearing puller is on my list too,,remove any bearing with the slam of the slide hammer.Quick and easy,,no fussing around with hammers,sockets,and punches anymore... Tom Will do. I used to use a big 4" electric powered hydraulic press for industrial stuff. SCA-RY! That thing would bend the 2" thick frame around like it was plastic, and the noises that thing would make! OOOEEEE!!! I wished I go hide around the corner and operate it from a safe distance, and behind some walls! Hahahaha,,lmbo!! Thats kinda how I feel when using this press,,its got so much force its scary,,man if something ever where to rocket out of that thing it would be scary indeed. We had a hydraulic press and sheer at work and those are some forces to recon with.Seeing 1' cold rolled steel punched in front of your eyes is a little disheartening..lol |
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Post by hillbillybob on Jan 13, 2015 8:52:56 GMT -5
I have been eyeballing them for some time . Me too. I think I'm in luv! I bouuht one Sunday morning...last day, of the 3 day January Blowout Sale. Like you I've wanted one for a while now.....and at $295.76, I decided that the time was right. The one I bought is item #68892, which according to discussions on other forums, is a bit more rugged than the newer model...item #69904. Instructions say to check oil level in pump....Mine needed somewhere between 6 and 8 ounces to top it off. Used a veterinary syringe and some tractor hydraulic fluid I had under the bench. Like dmartin95, don't know if I'd put a 1000 lb bike on it....considering that is it's maximum rating. Won't worry a bit lifting my 600 lb, 1200cc BMW's. (Scoot is on the lift now...."Schultz" and "Dooley", my BMW's, will get their turn before spring...will update if I have a problem with it) If I had a 1000 lb bike....I'd want a lift capable of at least 1500 lbs. |
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Post by scooter on Jan 13, 2015 19:35:14 GMT -5
Me too. I think I'm in luv! I bouuht one Sunday morning...last day, of the 3 day January Blowout Sale. Like you I've wanted one for a while now.....and at $295.76, I decided that the time was right. The one I bought is item #68892, which according to discussions on other forums, is a bit more rugged than the newer model...item #69904. Instructions say to check oil level in pump....Mine needed somewhere between 6 and 8 ounces to top it off. Used a veterinary syringe and some tractor hydraulic fluid I had under the bench. Like dmartin95, don't know if I'd put a 1000 lb bike on it....considering that is it's maximum rating. Won't worry a bit lifting my 600 lb, 1200cc BMW's. (Scoot is on the lift now...."Schultz" and "Dooley", my BMW's, will get their turn before spring...will update if I have a problem with it) If I had a 1000 lb bike....I'd want a lift capable of at least 1500 lbs. Alright! Good for you, Hillbilly! I agree about the weight on the lift. While engineers usually design things with a fudge factor, and the thing could probably hold more than 1,000 lbs, I personally wouldn't want to torture my lift like that and I'd probably be a little scared to sit next to it with 1,000 lbs on it! I like the way they did the three way support pieces on the lift arms. It makes the two thin side pieces stronger without adding a lot of weight. I like the safety bar too. Aside from the quality of the bottle jack, my only real concern is those tiny cheap looking front castors. If one broke, it would be ugly. I keep those front screw stops just one turn off the ground. That is I make them touch the ground and then back them off one turn. That way the lift wouldn't fall too far if a castor broke. I hope it's well engineered. If it is, it will be fine. |
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day warranty. They have long term return and on-site service plans available, but they are a bit pricey so I opted out of those. For the price, if it works for a long time, it will be a good bargain and it makes working on bikes a lot easier.
