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Message started by Kris01 on 10/19/14 at 19:57:59

Title: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Kris01 on 10/19/14 at 19:57:59

I've built the 2x4 bike lift that is going around the internet. It works great for lifting the back end. Very stable, yadda, yadda, yadda...

What it won't do for me is lift the front end. Is it me or the lift?

What would you guys consider buying that works, is reliable, stable, and priced fairly reasonably?

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/19/14 at 20:44:02

I know I have a history of being a wise acre.. I'm not being funny..
Okay, how far forward can these home built jobbies be put and what would happen if you pushed down on the back?

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by old_rider on 10/19/14 at 20:46:32

I have the sears cheaper red jack, heavy as heck, but if you use a wood block you can level the bike out to work on it.
Or you can do like one of our own did and build a base that levels the bike when you put it on a motorcycle floor jack.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/19/14 at 20:52:36

And, I never had a jack. I used a come along, rafters in the shop, 1/2" nylon rope,, woven,not wound,,
Bond, James Bond.
One wheel at a time...

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Kris01 on 10/19/14 at 21:14:40

Speaking of ceiling rafters... I've built a frame that I can suspend the front end with. I haven't tried it yet. Think of an upside-down squared-off U. It doesn't have any horizontal supports for the feet yet. I ran out of nails. It's just a few inches taller than the handlebars so it's not too top heavy.

I'd rather not use it. I would feel more comfortable using something professionally designed. I don't want my bike to suddenly come crashing down on me. Just for giggles, can I suspend the bike in the air (hung from this frame) by the handlebars? Are they strong enough to hold up the front of the bike or will they bend?

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/19/14 at 22:08:44

I didn't. There are bushings in the risers. I didn't want to test them that way. I don't remember exactly how I did it,but I know I didn't use the bars.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by ToesNose on 10/20/14 at 06:22:02

I used the 2x4 lift to work on the front end, just scooted it closer to the front of the bike. I removed the wheel and forks with no issues, changed the fluid, installed fork gators and inspected everything. Had it up on there for two days, just had it ratcheted down to the stand.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Drestakil on 10/20/14 at 06:27:05

I made mine from a couple of 3' pieces of 4X4, a 4' piece of 1/2" pipe, and a few other odds & ends. It lifted the front just fine. Then I slid it back a little and lifted the rear just as easy.

It cost about $30 to build and most of that was for beer.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by runwyrlph on 10/20/14 at 07:00:21

3F2026213C3B0A3A0A32202C67550 wrote:

And, I never had a jack. I used a come along, rafters in the shop, 1/2" nylon rope,, woven,not wound,,
Bond, James Bond.
One wheel at a time...

Also my preferred method.

wrap a nylon rope around the frame a few times, hook the comalong to that,

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Serowbot on 10/20/14 at 09:19:08

Mine lifts front, rear, or both, depending on where I engage it... :-?...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEbuOh9l1es&feature=channel&list=UL[/media]

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/20/14 at 10:12:59

If you can't tie a bowline, you need to learn. Easiest way is tie a slipping, poke the tail in the loop. Then pull the rope that slides the slipping and WOULD,untie it. But. The tail of the rope is through the loop and will fold as it passes thru the loop. Making the bowline , barges are tied together with it. Firemen use it, it's one of the world's most often used knots. No matter how much the load, it ALWAYS comes apart. That and the clove hitch.. You can get things done.

A decent hardware store will have woven rope. It works easier, is less abrasive, than spiral wound rope. I've seen some yellow, plastic/nylon rope that was so slick and stiff I didn't trust a knot to stay in it.

I recently found a really good come along at O'Reilly auto parts. A one piece cable/ratchet drum, ratchet teeth on both ends, durable direction switch, $40.00,, I paid that for the one I bought in the 70's. I've got one I paid less for, but the cable drum/ratchet teeth ARE laminated and nothing about it feels like quality..
If you're needing a come along, well.. I didn't even NEED a new one, but I've been hunting for a quality product ,so IF I needed a come along, I have the option,, fix the cable on the old one, use the crummy Harbor Freight one,and I might, depending on the job, Use the junky one, or, grab my new one.. Lifting, New one, pulling,, probably grab the junk..

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Kris01 on 10/20/14 at 12:07:19

Do the paddock stands (or whatever they're called) fit our bike? I know they were designed mostly for sport bikes. I'm concerned the forks may be too wide (or too narrow) to fit.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by verslagen1 on 10/20/14 at 14:08:37

I think these lift the axle on the front and they have adjustable forks somehow.

for the rear, you need to attach spools to the swingarm.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by gizzo on 10/20/14 at 22:30:10

This. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. It works.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by verslagen1 on 10/20/14 at 22:46:34

I use 2 standard jack stands, 1 under each front peg bolt.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by gizzo on 10/20/14 at 22:50:35

I just had a thought: There's this temporary center stand I have for my Monster. It's for lifting the rear to get the back wheel out or whatever. The long pin threads through an unused hole in the crank case. I bet it would fit through the Savage crankcase where that long through bolt holds the foot peg bracket. You just pop the pin through and stand on the side lever. It can be had for around $100.00 from your Ducati shop. I'm not trying it just to see if it works, but if you're interested to know before considering having one, I'll try it for you then.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by ToesNose on 10/21/14 at 04:40:55

I bet Gizzo is a blast to hang out with :D

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by gizzo on 10/21/14 at 05:48:43

What makes you think that? :-?

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/21/14 at 07:33:12

Because your brain is always looking at things from outside the box,,
Just because something was designed to do
X doesnt necessarily mean it cant do Y and Z,, too..

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Serowbot on 10/21/14 at 08:09:18

Ducati red... that stand should be pretty quick... ;D...

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by gizzo on 10/21/14 at 13:50:13

Oh. Thanks. Cultural differences caused me to think something else :-[.
Cheers.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Kris01 on 10/21/14 at 20:56:36

Gizzo:
That 1st pic is, umm... Different! ;D I'm not knocking it. It's brilliant if it works. I don't think I'm quite that brave yet!

Verslagen1:
I never considered a jack under the foot pegs. I may have to try that. That sounds doable and sturdy enough.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by gizzo on 10/21/14 at 23:37:40

It's all good. Whatever you're comfortable with. I've been doing it that way since I was shown years ago. Never a problem.
Cheers

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Tocsik on 10/22/14 at 07:25:35

I made the wood lift with the lever and it works great to get the front tire off the ground. In order to get the rear lifted, I have to move the wood block waaaayyy to the back of the frame. So close it worries me it will slip. I have eye bolts for a strap when I'm going to do anything that may shift the bike at all.

Are there differences in the balance from year to year? I have the side rails and sissy bar removed and have added extremely light weight Mutazu bags but the center of balance was the same with the bike stock.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Kris01 on 10/23/14 at 20:07:54

I finally found the "sweet spot" to get the front in the air. Took a little trial and error. Well, maybe a little trial and a lot of error!

I have the opposite problem to yours. The rear goes up just fine. The front won't even think about rising unless I've got the jack almost to the very front edge of the frame. It's sturdy as it can be but it looks a little scary.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Steve H on 10/24/14 at 03:31:47

I just use a concrete block with a 2x8 on top.
Lift the front end, move bike forward 6 or 8 inches, sit down on block.
Front tire is way in the air.

Of course now, my doctor has forbidden me to lift anything weighing more than 20 lbs. due to my hiatal hernia.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/24/14 at 18:33:46

If you have garage door, get a block, get a rope. The block needs to fit snug between the frame and floor while it's on the side stand. Jam it under there, get the rope on the bars,tilt the bike over,lifting the stand off the ground..tie off to the door railing, I don't remember if that got the front off the ground or the rear.. I know it got one of them.
I did it by myself, but if you're not good at tying rope,, Ehh, you do the math...

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Steve H on 10/25/14 at 04:01:12

If you have an engine hoist, a bit of rope, you've got a bike hoist. They will generally lift much more than our bike weighs.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/25/14 at 10:27:49

Yea, but ya pretty much gotta pull the tank, dontchya? Its been a ,long time since I hoisted mine,, I dont remember if I could get a rope in on anything I felt good about lifting by with it on.. For any newbies, IF youre gonna pull the tank, Think about where youre gonna set it down before you get it off..Remember, its got the speedo cable and petcock,, it needs set up on something so at to not kink the cable up, but in a safe, Not Gonna fall kinda spot.. Its okay if you stop here and imagine a guy with both hands loaded with a gas tank and a cable dangling and looking ALLL around for a likely spot to set it ,, you can do that,,

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Steve H on 10/25/14 at 10:53:34

Yeah. I guess you could lift by the front end through the trees or something but I would be worried about bearing damage. I would suggest pull the tank and tie right at the front end of the frame. And, it will want to a certain extent to fall over so some way to stabilize it from the back would be a good idea. Unless you just lift the whole bike.

Good point about where to put the tank too.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/25/14 at 20:01:02

Best to bust things loose before lifting it. Yeah,it'll tend to wobble a bit, you can tie it off. I didn't have to when I did the front tire.

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/25/14 at 20:03:50

5E4147405D5A6B5B6B53414D06340 wrote:

Don't buy a cheap piece of junk..

Title: Re: Recommendations on a front lift/stand
Post by Kris01 on 10/27/14 at 12:01:01

I guess, to answer my own question, the tried and true 2x4, 2x6, 2x-whatever lift works just fine. In my experience, I can lift the rear end by placing the "jack" almost anywhere. The front end has to have the jack as far forward as possible so the rear will weight itself down and the jack can lift the front only.

Just make sure your jack is rock stable! You don't want it falling!