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?

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.

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?

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.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 10/19/14 at 20:52:36:


Also my preferred method.

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

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..

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.

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