question about the harbor freight lift

[Jess Tolbirt]

i have been saying for a couple years when it could be bought for less that 300 dollars i would buy one,,well i did and got it together and now i have a couple questions, when you run the bike onto the lift is it wide enough to put the kickstand down? what is the front clamps purpose? just to hold the front tire from sliding side to side? do you use the smaller lift to lift the bike to be able to rotate and/or change the front wheel? just curious as to how you guys are using your lift,, if nothing else it will make a great work table..
it was listed for 329 and the 20% coupon was not eligible for this sale and i told the girl at the register if i can get it for under 300 i would buy it,,well she added the coupon and used customer satisfaction as the reason and it worked,, got it for 291 out the door..

[jimmytee]

The front clamp is worthless. I replaced mine at time of purchase with another Harbor Freight Wheel chock. I knew from reading reviews, not to come home without that and some jack oil. I got this one for $29 and bolted it to the front.http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-60392.html
As far as whether you can put a kickstand down, I have never tried. I have a Craftsman jack if I need to remove the front wheel. The lift comes in real handy for most other things though. I had to use a rubber mat to stop the lift from sliding when I pushed the bike onto the table. The lift really makes for a much easier access to doing most repairs, add ons, polishing etc... I simply push the bike until the front wheel self locks into the wheel chock and then the bike will stand on it's own while I hook a couple of straps for safety. I recommend having someone help get the bike on at least the first couple of times.

[DenverDave]

I bought the HF lift about 1 1/2 years ago and bought this lift jack, makes changing  the rear wheel easier.  I also bought a different front wheel clamp, the stock one is a little too small to securely hold the bike up.

Be sure to check the fluid level in the jack, mine was a few ounces short.

Get some straps to stabilize the bike on the lift.

Too skinny to put the kickstand down, also too skinny to ride the bike onto the lift.

[Jess Tolbirt]

both excellent replies,, the only problem i see is the front wheel being able to turn it while up in the air to clean and polish it,, hmm will have to come up with something to accomplish that,,thanks guys,,

[Bighead]

both excellent replies,, the only problem i see is the front wheel being able to turn it while up in the air to clean and polish it,, hmm will have to come up with something to accomplish that,,thanks guys,,

The jack in the post above yours is your answer raise it with that jack just enough to spin wheel then strap it down and go to polishing 

[Jess Tolbirt]

both excellent replies,, the only problem i see is the front wheel being able to turn it while up in the air to clean and polish it,, hmm will have to come up with something to accomplish that,,thanks guys,,

The jack in the post above yours is your answer raise it with that jack just enough to spin wheel then strap it down and go to polishing 

 

[Valkjerk]

Jess, if you check with HF, I think there's a little two-roller thingy that you can place your front wheel on to roll it. I think (?) it was about $20 or $30.

[3fan4life]

I caught mine on sale for $299, it's well worth that.

The scissor jack will let you clean or change tires.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/310917563127?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


They recommend that you use the locking bar anytime that you have a bike on the lift. And don't forget to let the bike down until the locking bar is holding the weight and not the jack.


The wheel clamp looks flimsy to me as well.

The mechanic that I use for the things that I can't do swears by them though. He states that if you use the large wheel chock that it just gets in the way.

I haven't had one of the Valkyries on mine since I bought it (haven't needed to).

If there isn't room for the kickstand to hold the bike, I'm not sure how I'm going to hold the bike up, until I can strap it to the lift.

[Momz]

I have a HF lift table also. I added two large eye hooks to the front edge of the table and I strap it down. It works quite well.
 

[Tx Bohemian]

Had mine for a few years now and feel it's one of the best purchases I've made.

And, yea, the front clamp was too dangerous looking to me too. I did put my bike on the table with that clamp and felt like if I pushed hard enough (and not that hard) I could push the bike over and the wheel would just slide out of the clamp!!  I changed it out using the "L" shaped one on the "air/hydraulic" HF lifts.  I installed it wide enough to accept my 200 rear tire. This way I can back the bike on the lift and jack up the front. Works quite well.
This also solves the problem of how to hold the bike before putting the straps on.

And it doesn't help to put the kickstand down as there is nothing for it to sit on.  Just recently a member had the thought to build an "extension" for the kickstand. Hadn't seen if that was done or how it turned out.

I use a similar "scissor" jack.  Got one for $5 from a junk yard and welded some angle iron on the base and top for stability. Works like a champ.

Also I made a larger table top (3/4" plywood) for mine initially to put my rider mower on and in doing so, when I'm not working on the bike or mower, I have a height adjustable, portable work table.

And speaking of the "locking bar", the table will lower an inch or two before contacting the bar.  I wanted mine higher so I got a couple of "metal wedges" and slide them between the bar and frame.  This keeps it at a higher level.

WORD OF CAUTION!!
Be sure your kickstand is up when rolling the bike on or off. Once, when I was rolling mine off, the kickstand was down and made contact at the hump between the ramp and platform, kicked the bike over just enough for me to lose it and the bike fell over to the right.

[OverdueBill]

I also did the HF wheel chock addition.  Added 4 more u bolts for a variety of strap mounts.  Built two wooden boxes 10" wide that run the length of the table at the same level of the lowed lift.  Place the lift where you want it.  Set a box on either side.  Ride bike onto table until front wheel locks in chock.  Step off onto a box.  Strap down bike.  Easy peasy.  Hang boxes on garage wall.  It's easy to stand beside lift and back bike off since it is "downhill".  The scissor jack is very helpful.  This lift works great for all the bikes I support.  When not in use, I roll the lift near the garage wall and then wrassle that critter up on its side and lean it on the wall.  Pretty much out of the way then.  Three years and no problems.  Valks, Kawas, HD, many Hondas.  All fit and so easy to work on while sitting in a chair.

[saddlesore]

I just got an e-mail from HF.   The wheel chock is on sale.  The link is below.   Scroll all the way down.

http://view.harborfreightemail.com/?j=ff2f13727264&m=fe9512717066027874&ls=febe127473620775&l=ff9c1572&s=fec612747362067c&jb=ff5e127472&ju=fe8817797c62067973&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0515a&utm_source=1011&cid=mEmail_s1011_c0515a&r=0