A suggestion for a work table, lets you sit while working.

[John Schmidt]

A while back I bought an '84 GL1200 Std. with a bad engine. I've since done some work on the bike and engine by replacing the bad piston/rod, but I didn't want to have it sitting on the floor all the time. That would require constant bending, something I don't do as well these days. So, I went to Harbor Freight and bought their lowest price hydraulic lift table, has a 300lb. capacity which is more than enough to hold the 1200 engine. The lowest it goes it 8", highest is 27", and has arms to lock it in place at a perfect height for sitting/working. With some coupons and being on sale, it brought the price way down. It's one of the best investments I've made for my shop. And when it came time to put the two engine cases back together, this is how I approached it.

In order to raise the left half of the engine above the right half after replacing the rod/piston, I had to figure out a method that took the place of my physical strength. This involved placing my 8' step ladder over the table, looping a short piece of rope through the top platform and tieing it off with a bowline knot(that won't slip). Then with my small block/tackle hooked into it and bolted in a triangle to the left case, I raised the left case enough to clear the right side. Then rolled the table forward under it and while guiding the pistons by hand, I used my foot to jack the table up until the pistons entered the cylinders at the bottom. With slack in the lift rope, a good push down on the case and the pistons went home. That's when the back took a walk. Go figure....I'm pushing down and the left side of my back goes out?? Oh well, my golf clubs were nearby and I grabbed an iron to use for a cane until I got inside. No more engine work for the next three days, thank goodness for the "happy" pills.  

Here's a couple shots of the table, and I can sit on a chair or mechanic's stool and do all my work.




Can you tell which piston got replaced?  


This is the "before." The left belt had a good inch of play in it.