HF lift table

[Wewaman]

Got a question about the HF lift table.  After working on the Valk I have decided that easier would be better.  So as I was searching  rear wheel removal I think , I saw a video that Dag did and he used a lift table.  But it looked like he had a jack on the the table to lift his Valk up to remove the rear wheel.  Is that what it takes to remove your rear wheel when its up on a lift table?   
I recieved   a HF flyer today and it has the lift table for $339.99 w/coupon says reg price is $699.99.
 Not sure how long it is or how high it lifts.
Was wondering if someone might enlighten me as to how it works on the Mighty Valkyrie.

Thanks,
Wewa

[ptgb]

Not a HF lift table user, so I can't comment on that part of it. I did just get, and start using a Titan lift table recently.

As to the rear wheel removal, I did lift the back of the Valkyrie to get the tire off. I simply used a small HF aluminum 1.5 ton floor jack to lift it. Had the adapter on the Valk and used a 2x4 between the jack pad and the adapter. Solid as a rock; no problems at all with the tire change. In fact, I did it in about 1/2 the time it took when I used to have to crawl around on the ground to mount/dismount the wheel.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Ptgb,every time I see pics of your new garage I get jealous!

[Wewaman]

No doubt about that meathead  , I'm with you on ptgb's garage.  Me I have a small shed that my Valk calls home, matter of fact I have to leave the door open so I can get from side to side. Not complaining at all because at least she is sheltered.

Just to let you know I have been to Havasu falls not the top but at water level, actually went behind the falls , there is a small cave behind the falls that can fit about 3 people .  Me and my brother rafted the Mighty Colorado thru the Grand Canyon in 1996 
I am planning on taking my 3 sons when the youngest turns 16 next year.
Went with Azra , Arizona raft adventures,  most excellent trip ever.

Oh yea Thanks for the info Ptgb I will look into the Titan table
Wewa

[The emperor has no clothes]

No doubt about that meathead  , I'm with you on ptgb's garage.  Me I have a small shed that my Valk calls home, matter of fact I have to leave the door open so I can get from side to side. Not complaining at all because at least she is sheltered.

Just to let you know I have been to Havasu falls not the top but at water level, actually went behind the falls , there is a small cave behind the falls that can fit about 3 people .  Me and my brother rafted the Mighty Colorado thru the Grand Canyon in 1996 
I am planning on taking my 3 sons when the youngest turns 16 next year.
Went with Azra , Arizona raft adventures,  most excellent trip ever.

Oh yea Thanks for the info Ptgb I will look into the Titan table
Wewa

PM me when you are headed this way. Maybe we can hook up a ride

[Momz]

Got a question about the HF lift table.  After working on the Valk I have decided that easier would be better.  So as I was searching  rear wheel removal I think , I saw a video that Dag did and he used a lift table.  But it looked like he had a jack on the the table to lift his Valk up to remove the rear wheel.  Is that what it takes to remove your rear wheel when its up on a lift table?   
I recieved   a HF flyer today and it has the lift table for $339.99 w/coupon says reg price is $699.99.
 Not sure how long it is or how high it lifts.
Was wondering if someone might enlighten me as to how it works on the Mighty Valkyrie.

Thanks,
Wewa

In most M/C magazines they have coupons for the HF lift tables for $299.00. Put two screw eyes on the front of the lift table so that you can secure the bike. Build a wooden lift adapter and use a screw jack to lift the rear off the table
 Save that $100.00 and get a Craftsman Motorcycle/ATF lift in addition to the lift table.

[mike72903]

HF also sell a "high lift" motorcycle lift.  About 150 with a 20% coupon. I'm new at this but I got one and like it.  I admit it was scary to jack my bike up high the first time I used it but it seemed stable (you will need an adapter as always) and comes with a couple of straps.  FWIW it is rated at 1100 pounds instead of the regular lift they sell which is rated at 1500 pounds.

[salty1]

Got a question about the HF lift table.  After working on the Valk I have decided that easier would be better.  So as I was searching  rear wheel removal I think , I saw a video that Dag did and he used a lift table.  But it looked like he had a jack on the the table to lift his Valk up to remove the rear wheel.  Is that what it takes to remove your rear wheel when its up on a lift table?   
I recieved   a HF flyer today and it has the lift table for $339.99 w/coupon says reg price is $699.99.
 Not sure how long it is or how high it lifts.
Was wondering if someone might enlighten me as to how it works on the Mighty Valkyrie.

Thanks,
Wewa

In most M/C magazines they have coupons for the HF lift tables for $299.00. Put two screw eyes on the front of the lift table so that you can secure the bike. Build a wooden lift adapter and use a screw jack to lift the rear off the table
 Save that $100.00 and get a Craftsman Motorcycle/ATF lift in addition to the lift table.

        Great advice IMO.        

[Tx Bohemian]

Not sure how long it is or how high it lifts.
Was wondering if someone might enlighten me as to how it works on the Mighty Valkyrie.

I think about 30ish inches on the height (thinking how high mine is, at work so I can't measure for you). It says in the advertisement.
Your talking about the foot operated one which is rated at 1000lbs (verses the air/hydraulic = 1200#) and the Valks are like 850lbs. It lifts but you know you have a heavy bike on it.

In most M/C magazines they have coupons for the HF lift tables for $299.00.

True dat.

Put two screw eyes on the front of the lift table so that you can secure the bike.

My table came with U-bolts for this.

 

Build a wooden lift adapter and use a screw jack to lift the rear off the table

Or a screw jack and a 4X4X4 on the little cross member right behind the engine.  Front wheel clamped in, the rear comes right up.

I've had mine for a few years now and it's one of the best investments I've made for the bike.
I did change the little piddly front wheel clamp out to the "L" shaped one that comes on the air/hydraulic model.  Much safer IMO.
I've made a larger table top (3/4" plywood) for mine so I can put my riding mower on it too.  And when I'm not using it for the bike or mower I have a portable, height adjustable work bench.
 

[Wewaman]

Thanks everyone.

I already bought the HF motorcycle jack and used it when changing the rear tire and doing the rearend service. I think it goes about 17" high.    Also have a home made wooden adapter.  As far as the lift table goes I have read that I need to get side extensions so that I can get off the bike.  Can someone let me know if thats true?   

[Brian]

I have the HF table and use their good wheel chock mounted to it. I walk the running bike right up on the table and into the chock. I am 6'3" so I can do this with little issue. Once in the chock the bike is sturdy verses using the POS vise clamp that comes with the table. I added extra u-bolts in the table for using ratchet straps to hold the bike up right and in place. Raising the bike is not a problem for this table. I strongly suggest using the long safety bar and lower the table to rest on it to relieve the pressure on the cylinder. Never trust a hydraulic jack with this kind of weight on it. I have heard of guys using homemade ramps along side this table. I must admit that I am considering this too as getting it out of the chock and off the table is a challenge for one 60 year old man. FYI, I use the lift adapter and a floor jack just like the previous picture shows. So far I trust this set-up and I bought my HF table used for $275. I also use the ATV/Motorcycle lift from Sears if I only plan to have the bike up for a short time. I have no problem buying the proper tools for the money that I save doing all my own work at today shop prices for kids that don't know these bikes.

[BF]

Thanks everyone.

I already bought the HF motorcycle jack and used it when changing the rear tire and doing the rearend service. I think it goes about 17" high.    Also have a home made wooden adapter.  As far as the lift table goes I have read that I need to get side extensions so that I can get off the bike.  Can someone let me know if thats true?   

Here's a thread with some links to other threads about the HF table lift and other table lifts. 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,61126.msg587425.html#msg587425

Unless you have really loooooong legs, it's a good idea to have something there.  I've seen pics of some people's lifts that they have made what amounts to a couple long boxes (with an incline...just like the lift table) that they put one on the left and one on the right so they can park the bike on the lift. 

I thought I had some pics of some but I can't seem to find them on my computer now.  One guy had spent some time making his, had them painted and had some non-slip stuff on them.  Looked almost factory. 

Then again, if you buy a lift table with side extensions, you wouldn't need to build anything.....the table is already wide enough. 

If you want to spend a grand or maybe a little less, there are better lift tables out there. 

Pics of Valks on Harbor Freight lift tables.....









Canadian version of the HF table lift.....



Harley on HF table lift....



For comparison, this is the Kendon lift.  It's a fold up lift that you lean up against a wall for storage.  Looks more like a Valk on an ironing board to me.   



If I had 2 grand to blow on a lift table, I'd be tempted to buy this one.....

http://www.ezcarlift.com/accessories/MLK/motorcycleliftkit.php







A Direct Pro table lift.....




[/quote]

Using a sissor jack on a Valk on the HF table lift.....

[Roadog]

  on those HF lift tables they have a removable plate under rear wheel to drop wheel and to aid in real wheel removal .  That makes it VERY easy to drop the wheel.  Remove rear shocks and let the swingarm drop down and remove axle,  Works for me.
Terry

[Wewaman]

Excellent info thanks everyone..   I will buy a M/C magazine to get  a coupon .  Will also buy the better tire vise and install the eyebolts.    Would like to see some examples of the home made extensions.

Terry I was wondering about that plate in the rear of the table , thanks for pointing that out

Thanks again,
Tony

[BF]

The more I look at the Titan lifts, the more I like what I see.  

http://titanlifts.com/motorcycle

AND, there's a dealer not too far away....just the other side of Pensacola over in Robertsdale.  

(btw....I know where Wewa is.  I used to live on Pittsburg St just off of Star Ave a bit north of Highway 22 (Wewa Highway) in Callaway......back then though, Star Ave was a clay road all the way up to 231)

http://wmtt.com/inventory/item/114

For $725, it's looking hard to beat for the features it has.  

Here's a couple videos of that lift.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfknmfE-lfQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icGHbfa8H6o

[Wewaman]

Thanks BF great info I also like what I see there.   A little more than I was looking to spend but now I may have to reconsider.   I mean if I'm going to get a lift table I want one that will last and one I won't have to upgrade in the future.
Gonna have to think on this 


Wewa

[Tx Bohemian]

One other word of caution:

Make sure the side stand is up when rolling the bike on or off. The hump in the angle between the ramp and table is such that the sidestand will contact if it's down.
Or at least mine does, and to be truthful I'm not sure if my rear shocks are original or lowered.  The Previous owner did a bunch of modifications to this bike and if he did change the shocks it works for me so that is one thing I didn't mess with.

Once, after installing the hard bags, I was backing the bike off and made contact with a lowered sidestand  and it tilted the bike to the right just enough for me to lose it and over she went!!  I figured I crushed the new bag I just installed but to my surprise it just scratched it a bit. 
Luckily neither one of my dogs were there as they're usually hanging around under foot when I'm working in the shop!!

[kyrie6]

I understand a lift table would be nice to have bike up for cleaning, etc. But in order to remove wheels you still have to have the bike supported off lift table floor as jack and adapter does. Also the table takes up quite abit of room if bike is not on it.  I use jack and adapter, raises enough for all my use. Can roll bike around while  raised and when get done all is out of the way. Just my two cents.

[BF]

I understand a lift table would be nice to have bike up for cleaning, etc. But in order to remove wheels you still have to have the bike supported off lift table floor as jack and adapter does. Also the table takes up quite abit of room if bike is not on it.  I use jack and adapter, raises enough for all my use. Can roll bike around while  raised and when get done all is out of the way. Just my two cents.

Your two cents are appreciated, but I'd bet that the desire with most table lift buyers is that they won't have to spend as much time on or near the ground on thier aging knees.   

[kyrie6]

I have debated about it. But in basement the room it would take up. And if have table up, the bike on jack and adapter raised. Seems bike would be less steady not being at lower controlled position. Like in order to roll my CT out i have to push on frt end raising bk. enough for the CT to roll out. (Without taking fender apart I/S. ) I cant imagine doing that raised on jack and up in the air on table. Now for cleaning or adding acc. prob. ok on table. But all your doing is raising the floor the bike sits on. Not the bike to take off parts etc. Right.