homemade bike lift

[mtalneck78]

How do you like the bike lift I made? Comes in real handy when its time to work on the old GS. I came up with the idea after my 2nd back operation.

It uses an acme threaded rod to raise & lower the forklift type forks, & I use an air ratchet or 1/2 drill for power.

 

[mtalneck78]

another pic

 

[mtalneck78]

and another

 

[jsuani]

you got skills...

you got skills...

I would like to tell you. Put a patent on it and then approach some of these motorcycle product managers with you idea. I haven't search for a lift so I do not know it anyone has come ip with something like that. But... there could be some money in that. Does it have a safety lock on it just in case you want to stop at a certain height? Does it have anywhere for you to put some straps on it in case a strong wind comes into the shop and blows the bike off the stand? I like it and it looks cool. I hope it is fully functinal and mechanically friendly. How much would you sell me one for? I am a mechanic that enjoys to work on my own and this would be nice to have. Peace Duane.

 

[Planecrazy]

That's REALLY slick!!

I'd love to see some close up pics of the various parts of the lift, as well as some shots of the unit without the bike on it.

Nicely done!!!

Regards,

 

[tkent02]

Sweet!!!

Sweet!!!

Dude market that puppy and you are a millionaire, especially if it can store flat against the wall.
I want one.

 

[mtalneck78]

thanks, I am a welder/machinest & love to come up with stuff like this. The lift has a simple lock system that keeps it steady & takes the load off the lead screw. I also made lockable mounts for the bike and it cannot fall off the lift. So far I have used it for my 53 Triumph chopper, & a friends 750 Honda project, & have had excellent results. It uses a timken taper bearing on the screw & needle bearings on the side rollers that makes for a pretty smooth mechanism. I will take better pictures with another camera & post later.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Nice lift! I like the way it mimics an auto hoist, rather than the usual lifting platform.

Can you lift the bike with the exhaust in place?

Where did you get the long lead screw?

 

[mtalneck78]

I tried making the lift as universal as possible because I have a variety of bikes. The base has a T slot like on a milling machine table so I could use different mounts for different situations. The bike shown in the pictures has the exhaust removed because of FOUR!! snapped off head pipe bolts. I could probably mount any bike to the lift after a little planning & mount plate fabrication.

The lead screw is an Acme pitch, 3ft long threaded rod that was bought from a metal supply company in New York.

Thanks, Dan C.

 

[sae3231]

marketing

marketing

Have you thought about putting this on paper and selling the plans? I purchased a set of plans on ebay for a platform lift. The seller made the lift for himself then put the plans into a pdf file and then emailed the plans to the buyer for $14.95 that way there was no overhead or shipping needed. He copyrighted the plans to prevent unwanted duplication. If you did that with your design and marketed it to do it yourselfers you could make a ton of money at little expense to yourself. I think you have a real winner here.

 

[bexabarr]

I'm inexperienced in all this, but do you have to take the exhaust off to lift the bike? just curious how you deal with that, especially for the 4 to 2 that don?t give you a flat platform.

Deffenately market it, I have friends that are making quite a bit of money on ebay selling plans and even manuals (for items too old to have a copyright) on pdf.

Nice job!

 

[mtalneck78]

I have had the bike on the lift with the exhaust (4 into 1) on. Just had to use a different mount. I would have to come up with some type of universal mounting system before trying to do any kind of marketing. The way I do it now is to fab up a new mount for each bike that gets put up on the lift. I've been using this thing for around 3yrs now & it comes in handy for all type maint. & really good for wheel removal. I can get the bike about 3ft off the ground, & it takes up alot less floor space in my small shop than the larger table type lifts. I still plan on taking better pictures so you can tell whats going on. Found a pic of my triumph chopper mounted on the lift & sitting on the ground.

 

[rkubik]

ditto to all that

ditto to all that

right on, that is one smart design and looks well built too. Sell plans only to kep your overhead and shipping costs low.

 

[mtalneck78]

pic of Honda 750 chop mounted on lift

 

[mtalneck78]

another pic

 

[bexabarr]

Simply ingenious? I love to see people using their heads? maybe because I don?t use mine as often as I should Though your post has definitely got me thinking! I just bought a mig welder and been looking for a new project. Something like this might just be what I was looking for... Thanks

 

[sae3231]

I've been looking for an excuse to buy a mig welder. Well, I don't need an excuse, I just need to justify it to the women who won't let go of the check book. But honey, buying a mig welder will be much cheaper than buying an expensive motorcycle lift and we can use it for so many different things!!!!

 

[tconroy]

another pic

BRILLANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mtalneck78]

Buy the welder. Even if you don't build a lift, you will be amazed at how much you will be using it. I started my shop many years ago with just an oxy/acet. torch set. I have since moved up to a mig, tig, plasma cutter, & pretty much a complete machine shop. Its nice knowing I can make almost anything I need.

I justify buying tools, to my wife, by making side money doing assorted metal fab work. I don't have any formal training, just a desire to work with metal, & alot of practice.

I would be glad to help anyone, & you can also log onto SHOPFLOORTALK.com for some really good advice & help with tool purchases.

I would not advise you to buy one of those cheap Harbor Freight import type mig welders. Even if you only use it once in a while, it is a bad investment. I bought one of those many years ago, & it turned out to be a big joke. Put it in the trash, got a decent US brand mig, & have been very happy.

 

[Planecrazy]

Look forward to your "step by step" instructions! haha!!

Regards,