Bike Lift under non-frame parts of bike - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Deno · 01-22-2007, 07:21 PM

I haven't found any discussion on using a bike lift when there isn't good access to the frame under the bike. I was considering one that is on sale for $51 at the local Harbor Freight store. It's the typical cheap kind that you roll under the bike from the side and it has two pads that lift the frame as you pump the cylinder. After looking at my bike (Suzuki S83) and my wife's bike (Kawasaki Vulcan 500), I'm not sure about using these. It looks like the frame isn't the lowest part of the bike. Part of the motor sticks below the frame, as does part of the exhaust system.

Has anyone else come across this problem? What did you do about it?

Thanks,

Dave

DrBob · 01-22-2007, 07:37 PM

I actually have the harbor freight lift, and it lifts my sweetie's S83 just fine. You just need to stand the bike upright to get the lift below both sides of the frame. The lowest part of the bike, the peg bracket, sits between the rails of the lift.

Rockhead · 01-22-2007, 08:30 PM

Well Since DrBob took care of you............

This doesn’t pertain to your bike but a buddy had that problem with his V-Star 650.

Xerses · 01-24-2007, 01:18 PM

My brother's wife has a 2003 Vulcan Classic 800 and the Canadian Tire Motomaster lift will not work without fabricating some blocks for the lift pad that is at the front of the bike since the frame is wider than the pad and the bike's engine, mostly the starter, sticks out below the frame.

Fits the M50 perfectly.

scunan · 01-24-2007, 06:31 PM

Will the lift work on a gsxr 750?

omegajim · 01-26-2007, 07:59 PM

scunan

Quote:

Will the lift work on a gsxr 750?

Dig out the service manual and look at the pictures. Then take some time to remove the fiberglass. One of the main reasons I won't get a bike like this, fiberglass is such a pain.

mike-s · 01-27-2007, 07:12 AM

If you can, avoid using a lift directly on the motor, use a peice of wood to distribute the load over a wider part of the engine. Oh and as the exhausts on the cruisers are only mounted on the heads and the exhaust, unless you cant avoid it, i suggest you dont use it as a lift point.

n.b. its not as much of an issue for the modern inline 4's as it is for v twins, etc, as the mount is a bit stronger, but still, avoid it if you can as it'd be a costly mistake if it bends.

azoazc · 01-27-2007, 07:23 AM

If you have a sportbike forget the lift. Buy some stands, unless you like removing the exhaust header every time you change the front tire.

Gixxerman · 01-27-2007, 12:12 PM

About the sportbike issue, try this Motorcycle Stands - Abba Stands, UK

I consider buying one soon.

01-22-2007, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Deno Ditch Magnet Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: Suzuki S83, Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD (wife's bike) Location: Kokomo Indiana Posts: 173	Bike Lift under non-frame parts of bike I haven't found any discussion on using a bike lift when there isn't good access to the frame under the bike. I was considering one that is on sale for $51 at the local Harbor Freight store. It's the typical cheap kind that you roll under the bike from the side and it has two pads that lift the frame as you pump the cylinder. After looking at my bike (Suzuki S83) and my wife's bike (Kawasaki Vulcan 500), I'm not sure about using these. It looks like the frame isn't the lowest part of the bike. Part of the motor sticks below the frame, as does part of the exhaust system. Has anyone else come across this problem? What did you do about it? Thanks, Dave

01-22-2007, 07:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,702	I actually have the harbor freight lift, and it lifts my sweetie's S83 just fine. You just need to stand the bike upright to get the lift below both sides of the frame. The lowest part of the bike, the peg bracket, sits between the rails of the lift. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

01-22-2007, 08:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rockhead M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: M50 Location: 1060 West Addison, Chicago Posts: 3,759	Well Since DrBob took care of you............ This doesn’t pertain to your bike but a buddy had that problem with his V-Star 650. __________________ Greg Biffle #16

01-24-2007, 01:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Xerses Sprocket Pilot Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: '06 Black M50 Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 807	My brother's wife has a 2003 Vulcan Classic 800 and the Canadian Tire Motomaster lift will not work without fabricating some blocks for the lift pad that is at the front of the bike since the frame is wider than the pad and the bike's engine, mostly the starter, sticks out below the frame. Fits the M50 perfectly. __________________ Black is still faster DAMN IT! Power Commander III USB Install Manual I Made *High quality debaffle video with drive by sound... coming as soon as someone can tell me how to digitally* blur out a plate in a video. Please PM me if you know how.**

01-27-2007, 07:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
mike-s Kickstand Operator Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: RF900RT Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 292	If you can, avoid using a lift directly on the motor, use a peice of wood to distribute the load over a wider part of the engine. Oh and as the exhausts on the cruisers are only mounted on the heads and the exhaust, unless you cant avoid it, i suggest you dont use it as a lift point. n.b. its not as much of an issue for the modern inline 4's as it is for v twins, etc, as the mount is a bit stronger, but still, avoid it if you can as it'd be a costly mistake if it bends. __________________ Three years, five bikes, and still tickin!

01-24-2007, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
scunan Newbie Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: 1998 gsxr 750 Location: Maine Posts: 22	Will the lift work on a gsxr 750?

01-27-2007, 07:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
azoazc Kickstand Operator Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 259	If you have a sportbike forget the lift. Buy some stands, unless you like removing the exhaust header every time you change the front tire. __________________ www.banditalley.com www.wnysportriders.org If water feels like concrete at 100MPH, what does concrete feel like? WEAR YOUR GEAR!!!! Edited by ME

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