Author Topic: Building a motorcycle hoist? (Read 2667 times)

The ice man · « **on:** July 07, 2017, 08:19:16 pm »

Would it be a good idea to build a hoist, to make motorcycle maintenance and repair easier? Harbor freight sells winches at affordable prices. They also sell motorcycle lifts at not so affordable prices and a lift dose not get the bike off the ground,a hoist dose.

Stasch · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2017, 12:23:37 pm »

Which HF lift are you referring to? Mine is the table top type lift that you roll the bike up on, elevating the table to ~36" off the floor.

I use it all the time even for a simple oil change.

It is a must have for me since ground level has become lot farther down there than it used to be for some reason.

If you watch the ads or use their coupons you can get them for about $300.

Only thing better would be a pneumatic or hydraulic powered lift, but then you've also moved above that price range.

The ice man · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2017, 04:53:51 pm »

I was not referring to a motorcycle lift ,I was suggesting to hoist the bike from overhead with a hoist ,winch or block and tackle. But I dint know how good of an idea that really is. OK so you roll the bike up on the lift but how are you going to remove the rear wheel? I now see that harbor freight has a 1500 lbs lift for about $90.00 I think that would make removing the rear wheel easier? But I don't really know , I have not used a motorcycle lift?

BlueZX10R · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2017, 05:17:25 pm »

I think the question would be, what are you going to use as the lifting points on the bike? I'd also be concerned about the stability of working on a bike suspended form overhead, what would keep it from swinging around when you were trying to turn a wrench?

Removing a rear wheel is easy, all you need to do is use the center stand. The front is a little more problematic, but there are methods to do that, which also involve the center stand.

I'm sure you could figure out a way to make a hoist work, but the question in my mind would be if it is worth it?

Stasch · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2017, 07:38:20 pm »

HF table lift has a drop out panel beneath the rear wheel once a bike is on its center stand (CS). I don't find it that handy, and can get the rear wheel off the bike without removing the panel.

For the front, I put a block of wood on a small hydraulic jack under the oil pan to lift the front wheel, creating a tripod stance with the rear wheel and CS. Remove front fender - front wheel removal is easy.

Of course bike is always strapped securely.

I tried an ATV style scissor lift but I found it in the way (can't do an oil change) and precarious with a 650 pound bike up in the air.

All the repair shops are using table lifts so its definitely doable.

Danny sparks · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2017, 07:00:55 pm »

I use a plank under the centre stand and tie the backend to eyelets that I have in the garage floor I also do the same for the front end.stops it moving when you are working on it. You can remove the back end and the front end without worrying about the bike falling over

Daytona_Mike · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2017, 07:24:45 pm »

I have hung bikes via an engine hoist before, A C14 I have not and I dont know if I would. It might more difficult to find proper locations to strap it without damaging it.
A KLR for example is easy to suspend and yes it will swing but that is not really an issue. It does make it nice and to work on when you doing a DooHickey install.

Nosmo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2017, 06:22:18 pm »

I have a Harbor Freight folding engine hoist (the legs fold up for storage) that I use to help support my 2003 C-10 if I need to have both wheels off at the same time. I strap to the steel frame at the head and behind the seat. It works OK,but yes, the bike wants to swing around every time you try to loosen or tighten a bolt, and sometimes it tends to make some operations a little difficult.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-69514.html

connie_rider · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2017, 06:33:23 pm »

I built a wooden workbench for working on my motorcycles in 1978.
Can't imagine anything better for tinkering on the bikes.

Works great!
It's 15" tall.
I use a ramp to roll the bikes on the top.
It has; a wheel stop in front, tie down points at both ends, and a removable section in the middle to put tools/parts,
{or the occasional beer cooler}.
I can jack the front or rear of the bike.

It will last until I can't ride anymore, and then my son will inherit it..

Ride safe, Ted

cra-z1000 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2017, 07:45:09 pm »

Got pics Ted ? Sounds like a great idea .

connie_rider · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2017, 08:57:51 pm »

I'm on vacation right now.
Will take a photo in about 3 weeks.
Ted questions

The ice man · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2019, 07:58:17 pm »

There is a guy on you tube that has posted a video of a motorcycle hoist. The video is called, "motorcycle hoist: better then a lift table". I would like know if this guy is a concours owners group member. I would like to ask him how his hoist is working out for him?
I am considering buying a 1 ton chain hoist from harbor freight for $59.99

gPink · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2019, 09:21:27 pm »

Do you really plan to hang a 650 lb weight from a 2x4 rafter in your garage?

The ice man · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2019, 09:27:06 pm »

No, I was thinking about building a gantry.

gPink · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2019, 10:28:35 pm »

Got it ... thanks.

The ice man · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2019, 11:11:06 pm »

I don't know how to put a link to the video?

cra-z1000 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2019, 11:25:24 pm »

Harbor freight has a decent size gantry also .

m in sc · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2019, 03:29:27 am »

did that at the old house. usually lifting one side or the other, rarely both ends, but i did do it on occasion. plate and eyebolt thru a 2x10 joist, never had an issue. does make some jobs super easy.

Bud · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2019, 09:55:05 am »

Quote from: m in sc on October 01, 2019, 03:29:27 am

did that at the old house. usually lifting one side or the other, rarely both ends, but i did do it on occasion. plate and eyebolt thru a 2x10 joist, never had an issue. does make some jobs super easy.

I had to lift the rear end of Blue to get it up on the center stand so I could service the shock and remove the lowering links. Dad's hoist came in real handy.

Bud · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2019, 11:31:22 am »

This?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne5hRber4m4&t=4s

The ice man · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2019, 04:59:04 pm »

I see you have a link to the video. Good, i don't know how to do that? I have lots of 2"×6" lumber and some steel and a welder. I would like to build a outdoor gantry. I was thinking the harbor freight 1 ton chain hoist would be strong enough.

connie_rider · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2019, 05:35:48 pm »

If you have an engine hoist, it will do the same, and be more portable.

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/lifts-cranes-stands/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-61858.html

Ride safe, Ted

RWulf · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2019, 01:30:15 pm »

By the time you get thru doing, building and buying everything you need you will
have spent enough to buy that lift table. I got a sweet deal off EBay for mine. I
can just see you trying to sync the carbs with the bike swing around. Trying to
put the axle's back in might be a challenge also.