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mike72903
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« on: February 17, 2014, 03:46:38 PM » |
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I purchased one of the Harbor Freight High Lift motorcycle lifts last weekend. It was on sale at $187 and I used one of their 20% coupons so cost was about $150. I'm pushing 70  and the old back and everything else isn't what it used to be. Since I was planning several jobs on the lower part of the bike thought I'd try and get the beast up where it was more comfortable to work on. I thought it worked really well after I got the hang of positioning it underneath. Had to use an adapter of course and so thanks to those who published plans of their shop built ones as that's what I used. Bike was stable and I had it up all the way while standing working on the pegs and replacing the brake pedal. And yes, it was strapped for security (straps come with it). I worked on both sides of the bike and the vertical arm of the lift did not interfere while working on the lift side. Thought that might have been a problem but was not. It will take a little more floor space than the smaller ones. The assembly instructions are not so great. Could have used better illustrations and close ups of the assembly hardware. Took me a little more than an hour to assemble. I like it. Glad I splurged on buying this over the regular lift which would have been around $80 being on sale and using the coupon. |
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pancho
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« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2014, 03:52:08 PM » |
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Where you at Mike?? I live in Bonanza.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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mike72903
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« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2014, 06:10:14 PM » |
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Pancho, I'm in Fort Smith, just up the road.
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pancho
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« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2014, 08:01:03 PM » |
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Well, I'm glad to see someone close,, we will need to get together Mike. Anything you need a hand with, let me know, I am close.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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mike72903
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« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2014, 04:34:15 PM » |
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Thanks for the offer. It's generally assumed that I need all the help I can get.  Only had the Valk for a couple of months and a couple hundred miles after riding a 750 for a few months. Still frighteningly BIG to me especially at low speed stuff. I may have bitten off more than I can chew size wise but it sure is pretty. |
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wiggydotcom
Member
Posts: 3387
Do Your Best and Miss the Rest!
Yorkville, Illinois
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« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2014, 04:43:28 PM » |
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Thanks for sharing your experience with the HF lift, Mike. And enjoy your Valk. It's one sweet head turning bike.
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VRCC #10177 VRCCDS #239  |
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pancho
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« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2014, 04:53:09 PM » |
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Still frighteningly BIG to me especially at low speed stuff. I may have bitten off more than I can chew size wise but it sure is pretty.
If you can get your feet flat on the ground, I believe that will pass after riding for awhile. It is a pretty big bike, but they have very good manners and handle well. My offer is open Mike, for any bike needs, heck, for anything. |
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Ken Tarver
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« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2014, 08:46:20 PM » |
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Hey Mike
Not a slam to you...but how much total previous riding experience have you had? If you are having trouble with slow speed maneuvers, please check into taking a basic and/or an experienced riding course.
You won't regret it.
But even after a course you will need to do some practice on your on in a clear parking lot to develop the skill sets taught. In the meantime maybe Pancho can come give you some pointers on handling it at slow speed.
You are right, the Valk is a big heavy bike. If you start to go over in a tight slow turn, once it gets over so far, you may not be able to hold it up. Just let it lay over but get your foot and leg out of the way.
As Roy D. Mercer would say "how big a feller are you anyway" LOL.
Rest assured it's probably not too big for you, you just need the techniques for handling. Enjoy your baby, and ride safe.
I'm in NW Mississippi, come to AR several times a year, maybe will be able to ride with you one day.
Ken
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pancho
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« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2014, 05:54:05 AM » |
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"As Roy D. Mercer would say "how big a feller are you anyway" LOL" Hey Ken,, I may be one of the smallest and lightest guys you will see crawl off a Valkyrie, and I can tell you that it has nothing to do with riding them, actually it's an advantage,,as long as you can be flatfooted when stopped. I remember thirty years ago when I got a full dressed Harley after riding loop frame Moto Guzzis for years... it was awhile before I was comfortable and felt completely in control. It just took time and miles. Granted, you do need a certain amount of body strength to take care of all situations,, the more the better for safety, but I have seen people ride safely with almost NONE. I looked up that jack on youtube,, looks handy.
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« Last Edit: February 19, 2014, 05:58:19 AM by pancho »
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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mike72903
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« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2014, 07:33:33 AM » |
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As Roy D. Mercer would say "how big a feller are you anyway" LOL. I'm 6' 180 lbs. No problem getting both feet on the ground. I have limited experience lately. Back in the early 70's I put a lot of miles on a Honda 350. Road it to Alaska and back a week after buying it  . Haven't ridden anything in the (many) decades since. Last year I bought a 2004 Honda 750 Aero to re-learn then wanted something bigger and it came down to the Valk or VTX1300. I do practice in parking lots trying to make slow tight U turns. May go out to a Ben Guren Parking lot today. Still have a tendency to look at where I am rather than through the turn. I'll need to get better before loading my wife on the back. That's the reason for going bigger, the 750, while we could ride two up was marginal. |
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razrhawg
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« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2014, 10:30:01 AM » |
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HEY FOLLOW ARKYS, BRYANT ARK HERE. I HAVE THE BIG HF LIFT ONLY THING I DON'T LIKE IS TRYING TO GET OFF THE BIKE ONCE YOU RIDE IT ON.
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WOOPIGSOOIE RAZORBACKS
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BF
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« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2014, 02:16:24 PM » |
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As Roy D. Mercer would say "how big a feller are you anyway" LOL. I'm 6' 180 lbs. No problem getting both feet on the ground. I have limited experience lately. Back in the early 70's I put a lot of miles on a Honda 350. Road it to Alaska and back a week after buying it . Haven't ridden anything in the (many) decades since. Last year I bought a 2004 Honda 750 Aero to re-learn then wanted something bigger and it came down to the Valk or VTX1300. I do practice in parking lots trying to make slow tight U turns. May go out to a Ben Guren Parking lot today. Still have a tendency to look at where I am rather than through the turn. I'll need to get better before loading my wife on the back. That's the reason for going bigger, the 750, while we could ride two up was marginal. IMHO, one of the biggest tips I found about learning how to ride a Valk and slow speed maneuvering on a Valk, is learning to use drag brake. It helped me tremendously. Learn what it is, how to use it and practice using it. You'll thank me later. 
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I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to  |
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mike72903
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« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2014, 02:18:23 PM » |
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HEY FOLLOW ARKYS, BRYANT ARK HERE. I HAVE THE BIG HF LIFT ONLY THING I DON'T LIKE IS TRYING TO GET OFF THE BIKE ONCE YOU RIDE IT ON.
LoL, you supposed to get off before you jack it all the up  Razrhawg, my son lives in Bryant. He's a minister at a local Methodist Church there. |
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Bighead
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« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2014, 03:15:03 PM » |
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That lift sure seemed to be awful unstable when he was jacking up that shadow which weighs less than the valk How does it do with the valk? By unstable I am talking about the legs on the floor are raising up with every pump of the Jack.
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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mike72903
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« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2014, 05:39:47 PM » |
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That lift sure seemed to be awful unstable when he was jacking up that shadow which weighs less than the valk How does it do with the valk? By unstable I am talking about the legs on the floor are raising up with every pump of the Jack.
Not 100 % sure what your asking but I didn't notice the legs on the floor moving and believe me, I was watching for instability. As the lift goes up the two legs holding the bike move toward the rear a bit so the weight moves away from the front of the legs on the floor. To me that would make it more stable. But, I admit it was a little frightening jacking it up that high the first time. BF, thanks for the videos. I had read about the techniques but not seen it in action. I was using both clutch friction, rear brake and trying to counterbalance today. I was shooting to make a U turn in two marked parking spaces but best I could normally do was 2 1/2 parking spaces. And that wasn't with a great deal of confidence or stability. Foot went down at least twice in the 30 or so attempts I tried. More practice ahead |
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« Last Edit: February 19, 2014, 05:56:08 PM by Mike in Arkansas »
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BF
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« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2014, 09:24:00 PM » |
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That lift sure seemed to be awful unstable when he was jacking up that shadow which weighs less than the valk How does it do with the valk? By unstable I am talking about the legs on the floor are raising up with every pump of the Jack.
Not 100 % sure what your asking but I didn't notice the legs on the floor moving and believe me, I was watching for instability. As the lift goes up the two legs holding the bike move toward the rear a bit so the weight moves away from the front of the legs on the floor. To me that would make it more stable. But, I admit it was a little frightening jacking it up that high the first time. BF, thanks for the videos. I had read about the techniques but not seen it in action. I was using both clutch friction, rear brake and trying to counterbalance today. I was shooting to make a U turn in two marked parking spaces but best I could normally do was 2 1/2 parking spaces. And that wasn't with a great deal of confidence or stability. Foot went down at least twice in the 30 or so attempts I tried. More practice ahead Mike, I grew up riding motorcycles....from 12 untill my mid twentys...and ALWAYS had a bike back then. However, I too had a long haitus....untill 2005 when I finally figured out that life was waaaay short and went bike shopping for the first time in over a quarter of a century. Bought a Valk....the first bike I owned in well over 25 years. It was a learning curve to be sure and a tad intimadating at first....but not insurmountable. I road the hell out of my bike re-learning riding and un-learning the old bad habits that I re-learned that I still had. I practiced alot in parking lots and intentionally practiced the slow speed stuff for close to a year before I wanted to take the wife with me and felt comfortable doing so. Not saying I'm the greatest rider....because I'm far from it....and I'm just a smell the roses kind of rider, but I'm definitely not apprehensive about my bike....I just know my skills and limitations. The key is to practice the slow speed stuff.....and the key to the slow speed stuff is dragging the rear brake. |
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I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to |
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Ken Tarver
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« Reply #16 on: February 21, 2014, 07:10:52 PM » |
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Hey Mike
just another tip for slow turn.....don't look just beyond your front tire.....keep your eyes up and turn your head far enough to see where you are wanting to go. but that was probably covered by the "motorman" in the video...
Ken
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Ken Tarver
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« Reply #17 on: February 21, 2014, 07:20:09 PM » |
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Pancho
" Hey Ken,, I may be one of the smallest and lightest guys" " I can tell you that it has nothing to do with riding them, actually it's an advantage,,as long as you can it was awhile before I was comfortable and felt completely in control. It just took time and miles. "
SORT OF WHAT I SAID
"Rest assured it's probably not too big for you, you just need the techniques for handling."
Ken
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