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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> The $20 bike lift revisited
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Message started by Kiran on 05/01/12 at 08:10:39

Title: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by Kiran on 05/01/12 at 08:10:39

I wonder why there's no center-stand on this bike, perhaps due to interference? Though it appears there's a bracket under the bike where a center stand could bolt to. Or maybe it's for exhaust.. I digress. I have a 2012.

So I built this $20 bike lift http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm (that cost me $38) only to find out that lifting the bike this way results in it always tipping backwards, and I primarily wanted it so I could raise the rear wheel off the ground. I can't put the lift back far enough without it lifting on the exhaust. All I can do is lift it, then tip it forward while placing a brick under that bracket (just ahead of the rear tire.) This lift does work, and gives you a lot of control with the fulcrum, especially when you're doing this by yourself.

Has anyone else been able to make this work? Am I better off with a 2 ton floor jack and a block of wood? What are folks using to lift their bike?

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/12 at 08:36:33

I hoist mine with a rope & come along,

perhaps due to interference?

Yep,, too close to the ground to be puttin stuff under there & still corner.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by MMRanch on 05/01/12 at 08:37:45

I use a come-a-long hanging from the rafters , and hooked to the sissy bar.

Works for me !

The front straped down to a sheet of plywood with TwoByFours frame and wheel stop. I saw a picture from OldFellers shop with a bike on one (gave me the idea). Kinda like strapping the bike on a trailer.

Thanks again OldFeller !

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by verslagen1 on 05/01/12 at 09:08:16

I've been using jack stands under the front pegs to lift the front.
I wonder if that would work under the passenger pegs.
I'll have to give it a try.

How? put jack stand under right peg, place another in front of left peg, grab handlebar and level bike, use foot to scoot jack stand under the top mounting bolt for the left peg. Ends up pretty level.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/12 at 09:13:47

I laid the bike over & kicked a block under it, stood it up tied it off once, works fine,

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by Serowbot on 05/01/12 at 10:21:54

Both up... :-?...

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/serowbot/stand004.jpg

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by CaptialThumper on 05/01/12 at 11:14:00

Careful! That tie job isn't going to stop the bike from falling over. Each side needs two of its own, independent tie downs, anchored at disparate locations on the bike to be secure.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/12 at 12:52:39

75637667706F6B7A020 wrote:

Careful! That tie job isn't going to stop the bike from falling over. Each side needs two of its own, independent tie downs, anchored at disparate locations on the bike to be secure.

For that bike to fall to the side, the centerline would have to rise up vertically, tightening the tiedown.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by CaptialThumper on 05/01/12 at 20:19:29

I understand what you're saying. To each their own.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by DrunkenDwarf on 05/01/12 at 22:02:55

I built the same thing. It's been a while since I've used it, but I'm pretty sure I was able to get the rear wheel off the ground.

I don't have a stock exhaust, so maybe that's why it works for me.

-D. Dwarf

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by Gyrobob on 05/03/12 at 06:48:07

Buy a motorcycle jack,.. rather than cobbling something up that'll always be a compromise of some sort.

These things are fairly cheap new,.. you can often find them on sale at Sears or Northern Tool or Harbor Freight. Also, Craigslist usually has some like these, and you can always haggle the price down some:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/pts/2955958823.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/2982894107.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/2931231940.html

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by vineman on 05/03/12 at 07:59:47

33203736292422202B74450 wrote:

I've been using jack stands under the front pegs to lift the front.
I wonder if that would work under the passenger pegs.
I'll have to give it a try.

Wouldn't the rear pegs fold? You would need to either flip them or make them rigid. Still an idea.
I need a good way to oil the chain so lifting the rear is important for me.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/03/12 at 08:25:41

I never had a lift when I had a bike with a chain, I just cleaned it,oiled it, rolled the bike, cleaned some more,oiled some more, rolled the bike..till I got to clean, oily chain,

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by Serowbot on 05/03/12 at 08:27:58

My buddy has the hydraulic bike lift... this wood thing is light, works better, faster, is more secure, and it stores in a smaller space...
I'm really glad I have it. ;)...

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by bill67 on 05/03/12 at 08:36:22

7F76737A607773120 wrote:

I have one to it works,You have to place it right under the frame.I have a regular motorcycle jack the one I made is lot quicker and easyier to use.I have stock muffler.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by verslagen1 on 05/03/12 at 08:39:11

5B444348404C432D0 wrote:

Wouldn't the rear pegs fold? You would need to either flip them or make them rigid. Still an idea.
I need a good way to oil the chain so lifting the rear is important for me.

There's a part that does fold right next to the swingarm, same as the front.

I looked at this the other night, muffler's in the way, so won't work.

Title: Re: The $20 bike lift revisited
Post by Gyrobob on 05/03/12 at 19:34:07

To each his own. I like the hydraulic jack that lifts the thing a couple feet off the ground. Both wheels are off the ground, and I can sit on a short stool while doing all those time-consuming things a double-RYCA build demands. I'd hate to be spending hours per day kneeling or sitting on the concrete. The kinds of things I need to be doing with these two projects just wouldn't work with a piece of wood lifting one wheel an inch off the floor.