Bike lift

[honda*mann]

Hi,

I seen posts about inexpensive bike lift (around $100), and was wondering which one to buy. I will be lifting a valk interstate.

 A lot of people said the sears lift was the one of choice. Do you have a model number, because I looked at them on the sears website and they don't seam to be highly rated?  Maybe I was looking at the wrong model.

Thanks
Honda*mann

[jgcable]

I was told the Sears lift won't work on the Valkyrie.

[PAVALKER]

Actually I got two of the Harbor Freight bike / atv lifts (Yellow one) and it goes on sale regularly.  One for each bike....

I also have the permanent mounted lift adapter that I got off of eBay.  I lift the Valk and VTX regularly without any problems.

[mrflamewerks]

I was told the Sears lift won't work on the Valkyrie.

I use one on a regular basis to lift both a Standard and an IS. I have fabricated an adaptor to make the lift easier.

[Bob E.]

I have the Craftsman motorcycle/atv lift and it works fine on the Valk.  With just a Standard Valk, I didn't need any adaptor or anything.  But since installing hard saddlebags and a trailer hitch, which added more weight to the back of the bike, I had to build the wooden adaptor to allow the jack to be placed more to the rear of the bike.  This works fine and the adaptor cost me nothing to build.

I have gotten in the habit of, after lifting the bike and strapping it down, putting some wood blocks under whichever wheel I'm not working on.  I had a minor scare once when I removed the front wheel and the jack tipped backwards, almost dumping the bike.  Luckily I caught it in time and had some wood blocks within easy reach that I could kick under the rear tire with my feet.  So no harm done...but a good scare none-the-less.

I've had my Craftsman lift a few years now and the only problems I've had is one of the loops for attachign the safety straps broke off...actually my fault because I tried raising the bike after it was already tied down causing excess tension in the strap.  The other problem just happened the last time I tried raising the bike, I noticed when I tried to raise it real high, the hydraulic cylinder was leaking down and I had a hard time getting it to it's highest.  Then, when I went to lower the bike, I didn't have to press on the release pedal...the bike just slowly lowered itself to the floor.  So I'll probably need to have a look at the cylinder and possibly rebuild it...if that's even possible.

[bmontini]

I recently got a Lift from Northern Tool  was on sale for $90.00  

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326249_200326249

That worked but was a little unstable until you really snug things up.  The bottle jack is decent though.

If you want to go "all out" the Best of the Best is Pit Bull Motorcycle Lifts. - http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/

I got a jack adapter from "the original" guy...  He even makes one that fits the Rivco Center stand.  It works very well...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-VALKYRIE-HONDA-MOTORCYCLE-NEW-JACK-LIFT-ADAPTER_W0QQitemZ170270469150QQihZ007QQcategoryZ35557QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

On Sears' website there are SO many reviews about the lift (negative) mainly about the bottle jack leaking.   That scared me away fast...  I also looked at the "yellow" one at Sears, but the base seemed a lot less stable.  didn't like the design.

BTW, I have an I/S too...  I had the same question a bit back.....  Good Luck!

[honda*mann]

Hi,

Has anyone used a Black Widow motorcycle lift?

Honda*mann

[Frosty]

I agree, This is the most stable and safe way to lift your Valk. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170276765898&sspagename=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&viewitem=

[MrBones]

Yep it is a good adapter, my only problem with it is it weighs so much I have a hard time getting leverage on it to hold up while fighting the bolts that keep wanting to fall out of the engine holes. Plus have to take the smog cannister off. But after that its good. 

[Vic]

Howdy Honda*mann,
I have a craftsman lift and w/the lift under the engine the front wheel will come off the floor but not the rear. I have hard bags (Tourer) and also a hitch. Maybe that makes a difference

To solve my problem, I put a small hyd. bottle jack in front of the back wheel to lift at the center of the swingarm and added blocks of wood under the jack to get the it high enough to lift the rear. Also, I put blocks under the front tire to keep it off the floor. I used this method to remove the rear wheel. I did not remove the exhaust or certain other parts my manual told me to remove. It has saved me a lot of money. My craftsman lift has not given me any problems, knock on wood. If any valk owner has a question on rear wheel removal give me a call at 217-443-5716. Maybe I can help.

Vic

[rodeo1]

i bought the harbor frieght (yellow) jack. works really well and is not madeof angle iron but channel iron. then made one of the wooden adapters, works super duper now for five years, don't need a bunch of blocks and can remove both wheels at the same time.

[MrBones]

I just duct taped a 2X2 piece of wood to the left arm of the lift and it works great. The rear wheel lifts off first.

[Frosty]

Pep boys auto parts now have their m/c jacks on sale. But will still need the e-bay adapter referred to above. I have that combo and works great to store my bike where I can move it around in the garage while being raised to prevent flat spots on the tires.

[TAZ]

I bought one these and being so close went up and picked it up as well.  Works great very sturdy indeed and high quality.  I use the adaptor under the bike  and works like a charm. 

http://www.jsjacks.com/

[jj_WA]

Hey Taz, why are you using Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog for your pic?   

--jj_WA--