HF Motorcycle Lift Table

[JW113]

Anyone have one of those Harbor Freight lift tables? They have a price going that is quite attractive, and I'm getting kind of old to be working on these bikes and sitting on a concrete garage floor. Yeah I know, HF, china made garbage, would not do this for a professional shop but for occasional use by a home boy? Maybe?

-JW

[chaos901]

I have one that I have been using for a decade.  Got the one with the drop out to change the rear tire.  I have not had an issue with it at all, does just what I need and I can move it out of the way since I can't dedicate the space. 

Well one issue, the chock for the front wheel is (was) terrible and I did change it to one that the bike rolls into so I can load it easily by myself.

[kd]

Mine is a Princess Auto Canadian version of your Harbor Freight stuff.  It's air and Hydraulic and I have never used the air because the hydraulic is wicker and easier.  As said I removed the wheel chock and installed a low cost better style.  The one I removed  went to a trailer as a target when loading.    My bike (2011 RGU) is on it now.   

[cheech]

I have one, was given to me by a friend. Someone he knew bought a few at a auction. Had no chock with it. I have a Condor style I made put on it. Even with a chock I put one of those scissor type jacks under and crank a little up also to stabilize the bike.
I only put lighter bikes on it and never leave it up overnight with anything on it.
Even if I bought one, for the price definitely a decent deal. Especially over nothing and being on the floor.

[wolf_59]

Been using one air/hyd for close to 14 years, as already mentioned replace the crap wheel vise with a ride in chock
I added 2x8 boards on the sides for extra room for my feet when getting on and off my Ultra classic and it's handy spot to lay tools and parts

[Pirsch Fire Wagon]

I used on in my first shop. Lasted a little over a year before it was straining to lift Baggers with four or five ups/downs. For home use, it would probably last many many years.

[truck]

It's a very stable lift. Difficult to tip it over.
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[cheech]

Been using one air/hyd for close to 14 years, as already mentioned replace the crap wheel vise with a ride in chock
I added 2x8 boards on the sides for extra room for my feet when getting on and off my Ultra classic and it's handy spot to lay tools and parts

Are you referring to air over hydraulic? Does Harbor Freight offer one? I've only seen the pedal pump.

[kd]

Mine has air AND hydraulic.  I only use the hydraulic.  It's way quicker than connecting the air and filling the compressor.

[hbkeith]

I got the HF foot pump one 2 years ago , seems a lot better than the older HF ones , havent had my bagger on it , but the FXRs its great , as said wheel chock is  but for home use , i did ad my own eyelets , find coupon and can get them for around $230

[wolf_59]

Been using one air/hyd for close to 14 years, as already mentioned replace the crap wheel vise with a ride in chock
I added 2x8 boards on the sides for extra room for my feet when getting on and off my Ultra classic and it's handy spot to lay tools and parts

Are you referring to air over hydraulic? Does Harbor Freight offer one? I've only seen the pedal pump.

Yes, I haven't looked at the site for awhile so I'm not sure if they still offer them
I mainly use the foot pump but occasionally I'll put some air tool oil in it and use the air to lift it

[Scooterfish]

I don`t have any experience with the HF lift. In addition to the upgrading the wheel clock as mentioned above also replacing key bolts/nuts with higher grade is often recommended

[Bikerscum]

It's a very stable lift. Difficult to tip it over.
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The legendary strength of the Harley-Davidson AM-FM antenna 

[a_disalvo]

Mine came with a steel rod that locks the lift when it is full up. I also changed the front chock. I use pieces of 4x4 as spacers and 2x10 planks on each side to allow my short legs to reach anything when loading or unloading a bike. I also use a flat screw jack under the frame to stabilize, than remove the planks. Can't beat it for the price, but I only use it a few times a year. Frank

[motorhogman]

I just looked at them yesterday.  They were 449.00 in the Florence, SC store.

[Hossamania]

I just looked at them yesterday.  They were 449.00 in the Florence, SC store.

Look for HF ads in motorcycle magazines, they often have a coupon for much less. Or you can use the HF super coupon for 20% off.

[PoorUB]

Everything at Harbor freight goes on sale for 50% sooner or later!

Sign up for their flyers.

[motorhogman]

I just looked at them yesterday.  They were 449.00 in the Florence, SC store.

Look for HF ads in motorcycle magazines, they often have a coupon for much less. Or you can use the HF super coupon for 20% off.

10-4 Hoss.. I get their catalogs and e mails..

[motorhogman]

Everything at Harbor freight goes on sale for 50% sooner or later!

Sign up for their flyers.

[IronButt70]

I have one that I have been using for a decade.  Got the one with the drop out to change the rear tire.  I have not had an issue with it at all, does just what I need and I can move it out of the way since I can't dedicate the space. 

Well one issue, the chock for the front wheel is (was) terrible and I did change it to one that the bike rolls into so I can load it easily by myself.

  Same here. I also but a scissor jack under the frame and raise it up just enough to touch the frame for added stability.

[Hossamania]

They used to be $299 on a pretty regular basis for many years, so an extra $50 isn't all that much more in the scheme of things.
Keeping an eye on Craigslist or eBay to find a nice used name brand lift at a good price is also an option, though patience and vigilance are the keys.

[chaos901]

I also but a scissor jack under the frame and raise it up just enough to touch the frame for added stability.

I've never had any what I would call stability issues.  I did have a complete lapse in judgement and almost had an Ultra roll off the back of the lift.  We were doing a leakdown test with a new set of gauges (always liked new toys), had the lift up, bike in the roll-in chock but not strapped off.  Bike in 6th gear to find TDC and putting 100 psi in for the test to make the math simple.  Looking at the gauges and noticed that the bike was rolling backwards out of the chock.  An adult son was on one side and I was on the other, one of us grabbed the clutch and the other the front brake.  It was close. 

One of those teaching moments folks like to talk about.

[road-dawgs1]

There are threads out there on how folks have turned their pedal HF tables into air. I used to have a HF table but ended up getting a better lift a couple years back.

[JW113]

Thanks everybody for the responses. I'm about to pull the trigger, so to speak, and just go buy it tomorrow. I see the minimum height is 7". That means if you need to park a bike on it (like I will) to not chew up precious garage floor space (I have 5 bikes parked in a somewhat small 2 car garage), then I need to ride the thing up on it. Right? Not sure I can push a bike up a 7" incline. What do you guys do?

-JW

[Ohio HD]

My lift isn't a Harbor Freight, but the top of it is a good 7" or 8" from the floor. I push my baggers up on them without much issue. But I'm also a big galoot. 

If you plan to ride them up, have some very secure wooden or concrete blocks to step onto when you stop moving. Otherwise you'll probably end up on the floor with the bike.



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