Harbor Freight High Position Motorcycle Lift

[Twigg]

Seemed like a good idea at the time, especially for the princely sum of $150

First things first. Instructions are good. Went together quickly and easily and quality of paint? and welds appears high. Jack was full of oil. I bled it but it needed no topping up.

Getting the bike up in the air is another matter entirely. I have never used a motorcycle lift before, so I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of stability, ease, lifting points etc. On that basis it took me quite a while to decide that the headers could take the weight and the rear suspension mountings were a decent spot for the other "arm"

After several false starts, the bike is 28" off the ground and strapped to the lift, the straps there mainly to prevent it tipping sideways.

So it feels a little "wobbly, but the truth is you can "wobble" the bike a long way and it shows no sign of instability. I guess the nature of the lift is such that some wobble is integral to the design. I'm guessing I will trust it more with more use.

Honestly? It is not table, but it does get both wheels off the ground quickly and easily. It raises the bike to an excellent height and is probably a whole lot more secure than my first impression.

I need to pay attention to the lift points as the front wheel was well of the ground before the rear lifted, yet fore/aft stability seems good.

I would welcome any suggestions and opinions, especially for those who have used this item before. Meanwhile, feast your eyes on the messy shop and the levitating FJR

 

[chucksklrst]

How do you have it strapped on and if you remove one of the wheels how is the stability affected. I use a HF platform lift. Putting the bike on the center-stand. I also park on the lift so as to have more room in the garage

 

[Twigg]

Right now I have the straps running from the handlebars to the lifting frame. I may re-think that.

Fore/aft stability seems pretty good. I don't think removing the wheels will hurt at all. That said, I could replace the sidecases if I remove the rear wheel, but as it has a rear bias it should be fine. The front wheel doesn't weigh much and the straps are pulling down at the front.

I have never used the jack-style lift, but this does seem pretty substantial so I can't see that it is any less stable than those tools.

As I said, it's not a table, but even a table requires a jack to remove the wheels.

 

[chucksklrst]

Did you have to make a space plate to go up on the headers and bottom if the engine block as not to have the weight of the bike push on the plastic. I know those of us that have owned ST1300 had to have a spacer under the engine so the plastic would clear the lift arms.

 

[Twigg]

Did you have to make a space plate to go up on the headers and bottom if the engine block as not to have the weight of the bike push on the plastic. I know those of us that have owned ST1300 had to have a spacer under the engine so the plastic would clear the lift arms.

Nope. All the plastic is clear of the lift arms.

It also seems that I could shift the bike forwards on the arms and lift on the headers and the folded center-stand, and still clear everything breakable. I have a shop full of lumber should I need to make spacers.

 

[Pterodactyl]

I would avoid using the handlebars on a bike as heavy as the FJR.

 

[Twigg]

I would avoid using the handlebars on a bike as heavy as the FJR.

I hear ya. They are not really holding the bike, more steadying it. They'll be fine but lower points might be better.

I still might save up for a table, and use this when I want a way to quickly remove a wheel.

It will pick up the lawn tractors too .... bonus.

 

[dcarver]

Fjr "Oooh, ****, I'm sooo afraid of heights!"

Please, oh Please Twigg, buy me a lift worthy of my status!

 

[Twigg]

Fjr "Oooh, ****, I'm sooo afraid of heights!"
Please, oh Please Twigg, buy me a lift worthy of my status!

Just get your cute ass in the air, and quit whining!

 

[dcarver]

Well, at least I know my status now!

My problem would be I'd get to wrenching on an axle nut and drop that bitch right to the concrete.. but that's just me..

 

[Warpdrv]

Nice Twigg.... Iike that better then my low boy ATV jack... Suits my needs fine but its still low, plus I just roll the thing under the workbench when not in use, I just have no place to put such a thing, although I'm quite blessed with access to a full auto service center..

I really like the height your getting from it...

Now clean up that mess back there....

 

[Twigg]

Well, at least I know my status now!

My problem would be I'd get to wrenching on an axle nut and drop that bitch right to the concrete.. but that's just me..

You make a good point for anyone using bike jacks.

If you are going to remove wheels, loosen the axle-nuts before you lift the bike.

 

[Justin]

Other than getting it up higher, what's the advantage over the center stand and a jack under the headers. Can still take both wheels off. Put it on the centerstand, remove rear wheel, jack up under the headers, remove front wheel. I'm not sure I'd trust my bike on that :lol:

 

[Twigg]

Other than getting it up higher, what's the advantage over the center stand and a jack under the headers. Can still take both wheels off. Put it on the centerstand, remove rear wheel, jack up under the headers, remove front wheel. I'm not sure I'd trust my bike on that

Getting it up higher, is the point.

I am too old to be lying on concrete.

 

[garyahouse]

Other than getting it up higher, what's the advantage over the center stand and a jack under the headers. Can still take both wheels off. Put it on the centerstand, remove rear wheel, jack up under the headers, remove front wheel. I'm not sure I'd trust my bike on that

Getting it up higher, is the point.

"I am too old..."

I know the feeling.

 

[Intech]

Other than getting it up higher, what's the advantage over the center stand and a jack under the headers. Can still take both wheels off. Put it on the centerstand, remove rear wheel, jack up under the headers, remove front wheel. I'm not sure I'd trust my bike on that

Getting it up higher, is the point.

I am too old to be lying on concrete.

Those are good points, but for me, I have to get the back tire higher than normal in order to remove it without having to take off the trailer hitch. I have a HF motorcycle lift and have yet to use it as the lift arms really aren't suited for the FJR. One of these days I will modify it to make it useful. The way it contacts the bike now the only thing it would be useful for would be tire removal. You would not be able to work on the rear suspension. I have lifted the bike with it and get the same result as you. Front tire comes up well before the rear which means I have to lift it even higher than what would normally be required.

 

[bluesdog]

I bought one of the relatively inexpensive hydraulic/pneumatic lift tables on sale @ 50% off a couple of years ago at Princess Auto.

There's no way I can just safely roll the bike up solo, so I have to ride it on, and it's too narrow for secure foot placement. Rolling the bike off isn't a problem.

At first I placed a 6" X 6" beam at each side, which worked OK, but those damn beams are rather heavy and cumbersome, so I constructed a couple of long, skinny 'bench'-like things from scrap plywood. They work pretty good, but still take up too much space, and it's still a bit hairy riding the bike up onto the table.

I plan to design and build a front wheel lock/support on casters, which, when connected to my portable electric winch will allow controlled loading of the bike onto the table.

(I'll post pics once I make the thing)

This winter I built an overhead stand, similar to the famous pipe stand detailed elsewhere, which fits either on the floor or on the table, and allowed the safe raising of the beast, and removal of the centre stand for suspension pivot lubing etc.

That HF lift, plus an overhead stand, would work quite well, I believe, and be more secure than the lift alone.

 

[chucksklrst]

I bought one of the relatively inexpensive hydraulic/pneumatic lift tables on sale @ 50% off a couple of years ago at Princess Auto.
There's no way I can just safely roll the bike up solo, so I have to ride it on, and it's too narrow for secure foot placement. Rolling the bike off isn't a problem.

At first I placed a 6" X 6" beam at each side, which worked OK, but those damn beams are rather heavy and cumbersome, so I constructed a couple of long, skinny 'bench'-like things from scrap plywood. They work pretty good, but still take up too much space, and it's still a bit hairy riding the bike up onto the table.

I plan to design and build a front wheel lock/support on casters, which, when connected to my portable electric winch will allow controlled loading of the bike onto the table.

(I'll post pics once I make the thing)

This winter I built an overhead stand, similar to the famous pipe stand detailed elsewhere, which fits either on the floor or on the table, and allowed the safe raising of the beast, and removal of the centre stand for suspension pivot lubing etc.

That HF lift, plus an overhead stand, would work quite well, I believe, and be more secure than the lift alone.

See picture post 2. Build your self a set of out rigger boxes as I have. I ride my bike up on my HF table lift as that is it normal parking spot. 20 bucks in wood and deck screws. An hour or so with a electric saw and a couple of beers AFTER the sawing is done. This should fix your problem of getting it up.............on the lift.

The out rigger boxes are 4 ft long, one foot wide, and 7 1/2 inches high. You can make them as long as you want. They give you a place to put your feet. Getting on and off the bike and while putting it on the center-stand.

 

[stealth1]

Looks like a nice garage exercise but I think I'll keep my FJR closer to the ground.

I use an area rug so I don't have to lie on the concrete.

I don't have to lift the wheels as far to put them back on either.