 Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276 |
Has anyone here made one out of wood. I've scoured the net and found one good site, and its pretty much what I want to do. Keep it cheap, but effective. Check this link out, and then please enlighten me with your wisdom. I will be forever grateful. http://www.cafematty.com/diy-motorcycle-table-lift/
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,072 Likes: 82
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,072 Likes: 82 |
Dunno man.. it's not for me but I s'pose it would work. The getting the bike on and off thing sounds like an accident waiting for a place to happen.
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
As a carpenter, looks sturdy enough to me. I might add a little triangulation on the four corners, against the legs, to "stiffin" the frame a little. The tricky part is going to be getting it up on a table that tall.
Fidelis et Fortis
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
I might add a little triangulation on the four corners...
Absolutely needs some diagonal bracing. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
As a carpenter, looks sturdy enough to me. I might add a little triangulation on the four corners, against the legs, to "stiffin" the frame a little. The tricky part is going to be getting it up on a table that tall.
agreed. looks like it's more trouble than it's worth to me though
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12 |
I actually made one of these lifts from plans I found on another site. Seems to be quite stable. I use a floor jack that I already owned for the lifting and it picks my bike up nicely. (The jack stands are just a little added security) It makes for a civilized way to work. Here's a link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2560129/Moto...ly%20plans.pdf
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
I know a preacher that has a table like the first design. He uses an electric boat winch attached to his ceiling to lift the bikes, then he can freewheel the table around his shop. Very handy. Not nearly as heavy as a steel table like the ones from Harbor Freight either.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276 |
Thanks for all the comments guys. It would be a two man operation getting it up there for sure, but my motivation is money.The pictures are deceiving too. At 19" with a long ramp and two guys I think it would be pretty easy. I like to buy American when I can, and I don't trust that $299, made in China lift at Harbor Freight. I've read some horror stories on other sites about that thing malfunctioning.
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276 |
Looks interesting but the link doesn't work for me.
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
My riding buddy has the Harbor Freight lift. Works fine, it's just a consumer version of the lift shop pros use. And, for sure, the Harbor Freight lift is a two man operation to unload from a pickup as its unbelievably heavy.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
I made one out of wood with wheels on it but it didn't raise and lower. I had to load mine by ramp.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
Quote:
Thanks for all the comments guys. It would be a two man operation getting it up there for sure, but my motivation is money.The pictures are deceiving too. At 19" with a long ramp and two guys I think it would be pretty easy. I like to buy American when I can, and I don't trust that $299, made in China lift at Harbor Freight. I've read some horror stories on other sites about that thing malfunctioning.
I use mine all the time with no issues and it locks with a long bar through the sissor arms, I don't see how it could fail if used properly and not overloaded.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 322
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 322 |
what if you built the table but for legs you use trailer tongue jacks? Or one jack on each side that would push the top up to working height? Jacks w/ or w/o wheels. I will be adding these to the bench I built for my lathe & Milling machine to make movement easier I can jack the wheels down. In this case you'd be jacking the deck up.
Lemme know what you think, and if you want I'll draw up some plans.
"stupid's in the water these days, they're gonna drink it anyways, until they don't know right from wrong..."
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
There's also some adjustable height woodworking benchs/plans out there. They're made to handle some weight and you could beef it up. Cheap bottle or scisor jacks work well too, the trick is keeping it level...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 124
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 124 |
I have to say I'm impressed with the workmanship shown with the custom lifts. Unfortunately, I'm not blessed with those skills. Instead, I went to the local Harbor Freight with my coupons from Rider or Cycle World and bought a metal lift for $299. I then added the $22 chock (also a coupon). It works great and holds up my 850 lb Rocket III with no problem.  
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 276 |
I was unsure about the quality, but I did the same. I don't like to buy from China but the price won me over. Works great, but people make sure and use the bar then release the pressure. Also, check that there is enough fluid before you use it. Failure to do so will cause your lift to bite the dust. They offer a plan for $60 I think, no questions asked, return for a new one within 2 years for any reason.
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
I have the same lift, haven't had any problem with it at all.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Custom bike table/lift
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
I have to say I'm impressed with the workmanship shown with the custom lifts. Unfortunately, I'm not blessed with those skills.
Instead, I went to the local Harbor Freight...and bought a metal lift for $299.
Unfortunately, I'm not blessed with THOSE skills.
But, $300 sounds great! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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