Bike lift recommendations please

[waddycall]

I have one as per the photo, replaced the split pins but does the job. I have a triumph Speedmaster so a bit of a lump.View attachment 443834

Ive been thinking about these. I’ll have to investigate how my bikes will sit as the frames are quite different

 

[waddycall]

Nice bikes, what year?

1953 plunger. Never had a long stroke single before. Or a plunger frame with sprung seat. It’s great fun on the back roads round here. Combination of magic carpet ride and space hopper. Permanent grin!

 

[GRW]

A Mate had one of the Sealey/Clarke generic ones. Worked well but took up too much space when not in use.
To get around that, we cut a sort of "mini pit" ( like you see for 4-poster lifts in some Garages) in his garage floor to recess the Lift flush when not needed, so his Missus' car could park over it.
A small cover plate over the built-in jack, & an adapted jack handle completed the job.
Bonus is its far easier & safer to just ride a bike onto the Lift

 

[RichardM]

What about using a Hi Lift pallet truck ? I bought one for £75 and sold it for £150 on eBay when I no longer needed it
View attachment 443887

I wouldn't use one to lift a motorbike, the narrow footprint could lead to tears or worse.

 

[waddycall]

I’m thinking this version of the Abba sky lift could be the one -

Cruiser Sky Lift

The ultimate motorcycle lift just got even more versatile! Lift your cruiser, custom or classic motorcycle with this simple one person operation lift...

abbastands.co.uk

With the additional rails and brackets it should hold onto both bikes nicely but I’ll need to check the dims. Frames on the two bikes are very different

 

[mechman]

1953 plunger. Never had a long stroke single before. Or a plunger frame with sprung seat. It’s great fun on the back roads round here. Combination of magic carpet ride and space hopper. Permanent grin!

First bike I owned, used to ride it up the pit heaps (off road only as I was only 15) seemed unbreakable at the time.

 

[mangocrazy]

I didn't know about the Cruiser Skylift, smart bit of thinking there, and ideal for all/any bikes with cradle frames and/or twin frame rails under the engine. When I got my Skylift, before I built it up I took the main upright to a local engineering firm and asked them to drill holes at 50mm intervals between the top and bottom holes so that I could leave the skylift at any height and be able to fit the locking peg. To be honest the hydraulic ram is solid and will hold the bike for long periods without losing pressure, but I do like a bit of belt and braces...

 

[Wedg1e]

I’m thinking this version of the Abba sky lift could be the one -

Cruiser Sky Lift

The ultimate motorcycle lift just got even more versatile! Lift your cruiser, custom or classic motorcycle with this simple one person operation lift...

abbastands.co.uk

With the additional rails and brackets it should hold onto both bikes nicely but I’ll need to check the dims. Frames on the two bikes are very different View attachment 443940

I didn't know JCB had taken over Boxford

 

[Wedg1e]

I have the Clarke/Sealey monster as shown in black further up... I think I've used it once
Welded up a frame to support my compressor and the bike stand slides in underneath it, on its side.
My mate has the air/hydraulic version, his doesn't get much use either (he likes polishing the nooks and crannies of his Superduke) but he's had to replace leaky seals a couple of times already!
I can't leave it on the garage floor and park the car over it as the TVR has less ground clearance than Oscar Pistorius.

I was so keen to test it I overlooked minor details like lashing the bike down... but to be fair, at 300Kg if the bike went over the table would be going with it.
Lowering it is the scary part: nothing... nothing... nothing...PSSHHTjesuschrist!

 

[Farside]

I got one of these from Cotters, in Dublin, about 8 years ago. It's the BikeTek PDS Lift 03. It's been absolutely stout, with the heavy GS on it and has never given me any cause for concern. My only regret is not getting the air-oil cylinder, but it's no real biggie, and can be added. The lowering speed is adjustable, fwir, so long ago I forget the details but it's not difficult.
That front wheel clamp is worth its weight in gold. I never use it to hold the bike, but because of its extra gripping, it's invaluable to give me some stabilty when using tie-downs.

Same is currently being offered by Demon Tweeks.

 

[waddycall]

I didn't know JCB had taken over Boxford

It’s a south bend. Easy to find in the mess

 

[waddycall]

Anyone got one of these - https://merchandising.demon-tweeks....-at_max/media/catalog/product/5/9/5920020.jpg
I could make up some adaptor rails to fit the bikes. It would store easily. Would be less stable than the sky lift but cheaper and smaller.

 

[addjunkie]

Anyone got one of these - https://merchandising.demon-tweeks....-at_max/media/catalog/product/5/9/5920020.jpg
I could make up some adaptor rails to fit the bikes. It would store easily. Would be less stable than the sky lift but cheaper and smaller.

You can get similar for trials bikes etc that lift higher than that, only really work for bikes with frame rails at the bottom, not exhausts

 

[Hood]

Skylift is what I have, much preferrable to a bench in my mind.

 

[Robotstar5]

<snip> I was so keen to test it I overlooked minor details like lashing the bike down... but to be fair, at 300Kg if the bike went over the table would be going with it.
Lowering it is the scary part: nothing... nothing... nothing...PSSHHTjesuschrist!

We had a scissor lift MEWP at Rover with a similar problem when it was fully extended, when you operated the down lever it would freefall the first foot until it "landed" on the hydraulics, we were used to it, but it was fun to see apprentices scream the first time they went up in it

 

[waddycall]

after a bit of a delay I’ve just ordered the cruiser sky lift and adaptor rail kit. Looking forward to giving it a go. Thanks all

 

[waddycall]

And here it is. Found a piece of timber is all the C15 needs to sit in there for now. Not great for access but it’ll get me going. Needs a couple of straps too