Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech $20 bike lift?

Is anyone using one of these with an America or Speedy?

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm

I was going to make one this weekend, and wondered if I'd need to make any modifications to make it work.

I used a stack of 2X4's glued and screwed together with a hole in the side for a removeable 3/4" pipe for a lever.

I like the idea, easy to store too. Is 8" high enough for an America?

Not sure, I guess I'll measure and make sure it'll be high enough. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

It works, others have done it here.

I'm also moving this thread.

Yes I've got one, but I used a 4" pipe nipple with a coupling on it so you can remove the 4' section of pipe. I added a 3/4" x4' stip to 2" x 8" 's to get a full 8 inches.
That height will work fine. Build it.

Excellent, thank you. I'm a cheap ****** don't ya know. Or is that "thrifty"?

I made one kinda similar with scrap boards. I use it all the time. I also have a Sears lift and I use that rarely. If you find it's not high enough it's easy to shim it up by screwing another thin board onto the edge.

It works very well for standing the bike straight up for a number of tasks, like checking the oil window or even washing the bike. You can get the back wheel off the ground to clean the rim or oil the chain.

Do it, you'll like it.

Cody

For a little more than twice the cost and zero hassle, keep your eyes peeled for a scissor lift on sale at Sears, Pep Boys, etc. They're invaluable when you need to get more than 2" off the ground.

-brent

Wrap it with some scrap carpet to avoid any scratches.

With inflation, it's more like a $25 bike lift now. That's about how much mine cost when I built one last year. Works great for lubing the chain & cleaning the rear wheel. But it's not high enough for removing a wheel (at least not the front wheel).

I saw that same link, on this forum, about 4 years ago, and that was one of the VERY first things I did after bringing my Speedy home. Invaluable. Can not imagine NOT having one.

I don't use it as much now that I have the Scott Oiler, but before I installed the Oiler I used the lift almost weekly.

Great for lubing the chain, checking the rear tire, washing the bike, changing the oil - just about anything you would ever want to do. I have not used it to lift the front tire, and it is not high enough to remove the rear wheel, but plenty high enough to take the rear wheel loose to change the rear sprocket and chain set.

I keep it against the wall outside the garage, under the eave of the house, so it's out of the way.

I printed the link, and built mine exactly like it says, and would not change a thing.

A very well-spent $20.00.

I ended up cutting a 15* bevel on the edge of the double 2x8 stack so the handle would touch the floor in its full lift position rather than run parllel 4" off the floor. Also I added a piece of 3/4" MDF on each edge to get a better lift.
I also bought a lift but rarely use it, the board is quick and efficient.
ModelMaker