My little bike lift.

[thrang]

A couple of weeks ago I posted a couple of piccys of the Bimbo on the lift and someone asked where I site her on the lift. I place it so the front arm sits on the sump and the rear over the centre stand.
I've also shown where I tie her down off the front down tube and rear cradle tubes.

Hope this makes it clear.

[thrang]

Normally I sit her more on to the sump, but I needed access to the gearbox drain as she was getting her annual transmission fluid change. (If anyone is interested the oil was nice and clean from the grear box, shaft and drive with no nasty metal flakes on the magnetic drain plugs. )

[Bob_W]

Tony
Do you rest the weight of the bike on the sump? Also does the lift come straight up or does it lift from an angle? This life would take less space in a crowded shop than a full table lift and also looks to make wheel removal easier.
Bob

[thrang]

It's jacks the bike up in an arc and toward the foot pump side. (see 1st picccy)
Although it does not lift as high as full table its more than adequate for what I need, and when its not in use it sits upright against the wall saving space in my shed.
Also with it being mobile when the weather is nice I can work on the bike outside as its light enough to pick up. I'm guessing it weights about 40 or 50lbs.
I split the weight of the bike between the sump and the frame rails by the centre stand, and yes its brilliant for dropping the wheels.

[Motu]

I've got one of those, but never use it on the BMW - it's got a centre stand.  The bike lift is for the bikes without stands.

[marcmax]

I have a similar stand I have been using for several years with no problems. I was a little concerned about lifting by the sump so I made a wooden cradle to use between the bike and the lift to allow the majority of the weight to be carried by frame members. Properly tied down I even rolled the entire lift/bike around and never had a moment I was worried about (rolled very slowly).

[montmil]

I have a similar stand I have been using for several years with no problems. I was a little concerned about lifting by the sump so I made a wooden cradle to use between the bike and the lift to allow the majority of the weight to be carried by frame members. Properly tied down I even rolled the entire lift/bike around and never had a moment I was worried about (rolled very slowly).

So. Did the wooden DIY cradle clear the center stand? That would be an impotent factoid.

[marcmax]

So. Did the wooden DIY cradle clear the center stand? That would be an impotent factoid.

Not at first. I used the trial and error method. Built the wooden cradle by eyeball measurements, tried a lift, lowered it and any areas with a hard impression in the wood were trimmed down. After several tries it fits were I want.

[thrang]

That wooden cradle sounds like a good idea Marc, could you send me the dimensions?

[montmil]

That wooden cradle sounds like a good idea Marc, could you send me the dimensions?

Share 'em on the forum here. Myownself and others may benefit.

[marcmax]

No real dimensions as I was just using scrap wood I had laying around. 1/2" thick of plywood for a base approx 22" x 16", two blocks of 2x6 wood approx 4" long, one on either side, trimmed to fit between the front motor mount and the center stand mount. Another 4" block of 2x6 wood at the rear to lift from the rear cross frame member in front of the swing arm and finally a 9" length of 2x6 wood notched to fit around the bottom of the timing chest.

You are still lifting by the sump but the wood provides some cushioning and the placement of the wooden blocks spreads the weight to the frame rails also. I added the block under the timing chest not so much as a lifting point but as a balance point as things tend to lean forward when lifting.

Can't provide a pic as I lent it to an airhead buddy who is working on his.

[marcmax]

I am no artist but this is an idea of what it looks like.

[thrang]

Thanks Marc, I'll have a go at bodging something similar together when I get some wood.