Motorcycle lift table

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Joe Schlaberdowski

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Would like to buy a very solid commercial lift table for the old Norton. Well, actually, for the old me. I've seen previous threads but don't want to build one or use a center lift under the cradle. I've seen them advertised for enormous Harleys, big tires and on and on, but thought there might be something solid and perfect for an '84 Commando.
 
Horrible Fright bike lifts go for around $300 and will support almost any motorcycle. Those thousand-pound tour boats may be the exception.

Commercial lifts go for $1000 and up. Best bet is to get one used at a liquidation.
 
If you live in China I guess the Chinese lift would be O.K. If you live elsewhere, not so good. Pretty hard to sue that Chinese manufacture if the lift should malfunction and say, crush your leg. And I'm quite certain Harbor Freight is pretty well lawyered up. If you live in the United States I would highly recommend the Handy lift. Made in Iowa and a far, far better product than that sold by Harbor Freight.

Remember, cheap is not always the least expensive.
 
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We use only Handy Lifts at NYC Norton.

See here: https://www.handyindustries.com/motorcycle-atv-utv-lifts

These are pro lifts, but they are worth every penny. I bought our first one many years ago from a shop that was closing via Craigslist for about 500.00 (if I remember correctly). I've since bought for the biz 4 others. Realizing it might be more than someone would need in their home, there is the aforementioned HF lifts. They are a little flimsy in comparison to the Handy, but will get the job done.

But again I say, the Handy is the real deal. They make an electric version too.

Motorcycle lift table
 
I went with a mid-priced lift from Titan. Not as nice as the Handy, but around $700. It has a much more substantial vise than the Harbor Freight lift has, and at least I know there is some backup for parts, etc. Powdercoated, which I don't think the HFT lift is, or at least the ones my friends own. The Handy is a fantastic product, but I never felt I would work it hard enough to warrant a commercial product for my use. The Titan has been faultless.

https://titanlifts.com/motorcycle/titan-1-000-lb-motorcycle-lift

ETA - I use my lift in a walk-out basement. Air compressor is upstairs in the garage. Handy air lift would be a problem to use, without major changes, or extra expense, and the air-electric Handy model is more than three times what I paid.
 
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I bought one of these before my resto-mod, same as the HF model, really. Works fine for home use with the C'do and supports 450kg. Best piece of kit I bought, bar none and worth the $300 US. I could not imagine working on the floor like I did in my 20s/30s.

Motorcycle lift table
 
It all depends on how much you love your Norton and how much you will use it, there are so many cheap ones on the market but are so lightly built and after a few times used will tell you how good they will be, you will of course pay for the well built ones, remember its your pride and joy sitting off the ground on it, having a lift table that fails while your bike is on it would not be a good outcome, you get what you pay for.

Ashley
 
I use the Harbor Freight lift, $299 and $36 for a better wheel chock. Works just fine, for all my bikes, including the 880 lb. Royal Barge. I wanted the Handy, but $1500 for my occasional use, was not justifiable. No regrets, lifts fine, securely pinned in place with 3/4" (19mm) diameter round bar, it won't drop your prized possession, (a hydraulic leak, if you had one, would be gradual, while attempting to lift, not sudden & catastrophic) or injure you.
Wish I'd had it for the last 30 years....
 
I have one of these with the drop down rear table but i have as yet to install it in the new shop.

Removed broken link
 
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I have a Handy in my workshop and a Harbor Freight in the garage. For the Nortons, I'll use the HF for quick repairs, oil changes, etc. I would not leave a bike on the HF lift unattended at elevated height. It is considerably narrower and would easily tip with a bike on it. The Handy is solid and will hold the Nortons, BMWs, and Ducatis with no worries. I won't put anything heavier than a Norton on the HF. My home built wooden workstand is steadier than the HF lift. Just my 2 cents.
 
I use the Canadian equivalent of the HF lift from Princess Auto. Rated for 800 lb, it lifts all of my bikes, including the HD Heritage Softale Classic slug without trouble or signs of instability. On sale for $350 Canadian pesos and with a mechanical lift locking feature, it's all I have ever needed.

Motorcycle lift table



Used in concert with this frame lift, it's an excellent work station.

Motorcycle lift table
 
+1 for Handy.

I have two, the Handy and a Titan. The Handy has the best wheel chock I've worked with, both have air cylinders for elevation. The chock on the Titan was a bit scary and needed tie-downs, which, at my age, was like wrestling two large monkeys while steading the motorcycle. I use the Handy short term work the Titan for long term.

When I purchase a third lift it will be a Handy.
 
Looking at all these motorcycle lift workbenches and the light weight materals used in them I am now thinking very hard at building my own with better materals stronger steel and a better lifting jack will of course be a air lift for sure, have had close looks at them and will be be working out what steel I need, buying full lengths of steel who knows could make a few of them.
I have one of them sissor jack frame lift and its one of the best things I brought for my workshop and it was cheap and works great.
I have a work bench for building my bikes on with big locking wheel when not working on the bike I wheel the bench to a out of way area in the shed, it cost me nothing to build it was a long old table frame I cut down to the size and height I needed and very large caster wheels with locking brakes welded on the legs works great but a lift bench would be good to have doing all servicing work on my bikes.

Ashley
 
The lift I bought is heavy. Needed a forklift when came in its packing crate. I would think it will be hard pressed for two strong guys to move it very far in a dead lift now. I wouldnt leave it up for a long period of time (months) but had it up on the lift for weeks, using the stop bar. If it was in a shop, being used up/down every day for years, yeah - I would get a Handy. But for regular home use, even on a very regular basis, mine is plenty sturdy.
 
Just another vote for the Harbor Freight lift. Someone above mentioned upgrading the wheel chock. I have not had any issues with the one that comes with it. I have had bikes in size ranging from a Valkyrie 1500 and fully dressed '80 Goldwing to the Commando and even mopeds up on it. It has never let me down. I always use the safety bar once it is raised. That takes pressure off of the hydraulics and provides a positive stop. Watch for when it is on sale and try to find a 20% coupon at the same time.
 
drones76 said:
Just another vote for the Harbor Freight lift. Someone above mentioned upgrading the wheel chock. I have not had any issues with the one that comes with it. I have had bikes in size ranging from a Valkyrie 1500 and fully dressed '80 Goldwing to the Commando and even mopeds up on it. It has never let me down. I always use the safety bar once it is raised. That takes pressure off of the hydraulics and provides a positive stop. Watch for when it is on sale and try to find a 20% coupon at the same time.
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I have a old Italian made hydraulic lift and a new Harbor Freight , Obviously the Chinese made HF copied the old one. They both work , but I like the old one better, it is quicker up and down and never drifts .IMHO The HF one is fine
 
Broken links removed
 
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I have a HF lift. A few yeas ago I had left my Goldwing on the lift in the up position. Unbeknownst to me the safety rod had slipped out of one side. I came into the shop several days later to find a severely leaning lift and Goldwing. It looked so bad that I couldn't believe that it didn't fall over. Check your safety rod!
When my Goldwing has all 3 fuel tanks full or is heavily laden with gear the HF lift needs help from my floor jack to get it started off the floor. Once it is up 8" or so it works by itself. Empty Goldwing, No problem.
I have made some easy mods to my HF lift and will post pics tomorrow.
 
Try using searchtempest.com It searches all of Craigslist for you. I'm not sure where you're located but there are a couple of commercial grade lifts in the Phoenix area.
 
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