How to lift up bike?

[Arctic Fox]

Hello,

I was pretty close to purchase this last weekend. To make it easier to do some things (like oil changes etc.).



As much as I liked the idea of that (and cost) ... that would not work/fit with Nevada. Starting from the fact that exhaust pipes goes lower than anything else.

I do not have central stand in my bike (I know that those can be found, not being cheap). Would that be still wise purchase? When you'll use/need central stand?


I have understand that with this kind of stand I could rise up the front tire (only type which works). Any idea what is right size of adapter bolt?



But are there any similar one which would work with Nevada's rear tire? So that I could rise whole bike up? I think that could be good for tires too (as bike stands half year in garage ... winter/cold months)




 


 

[tazio]

I use the setup in the first pic. Have a double thick plywood square platform that straddles those rubber contact points. Different 2x4's on top of that as needed to clear pipes and such on the 3 different bikes I run.

[Mike Tashjian]

I prefer to have center stands on my bikes and they work well enough most of the time.  I have the small lift in your picture and I rarely need it.  The platform lift with a wheel lock and rear drop plate seems like the best option if have enough room.  The neck lift in your picture is something I haven't used but I have made the pins for my nephew who likes his.  The rear mate to that uses little spools attached to the swing arm I believe. 

[wrbix]

An engine hoist can be used via strap around a frame member (tank off), and has many other lifting uses in a garage.
Or a come-along hung from a rafter. 

[Perazzimx14]

Get a lift table. Those little floor jacks or paddocks stands are okay for getting the wheels off the ground they really do not lift the bike up to  a significant height to allow for easier maintnenace.

My HF table had a 30" deck height and that was good the new Titan has a 42" deck height and that is a lot better. I bring the work to me. Anything less than 30" will put the bike at an inconvenient height and you will be hunched over killing your back or worse yet still crawling around on the floor because you've only lifted the bike 4 inches off the ground.

[nsmith]

I used to own the same as your first picture except, now follow me here. On each of the four corners of the lift there was a 1/2" nut welded to the under side, a 1/2" bolt about 4" long treaded up from the bottom. On the top end of the bolt there was mounted a 2" long piece of 1-1/2" angle iron, this angle was situated as a V with the point connected to the 1/2" bolt on a swivel. The bolts were adjusted to reach whatever point you wanted to lift from. I gave that lift away and have never seen another like it. I originally bought it at a Tractor Supply store for about $75.00.

[Arctic Fox]

I prefer to have center stands on my bikes and they work well enough most of the time.  I have the small lift in your picture and I rarely need it.  The platform lift with a wheel lock and rear drop plate seems like the best option if have enough room. The neck lift in your picture is something I haven't used but I have made the pins for my nephew who likes his. The rear mate to that uses little spools attached to the swing arm I believe.

You meant these, or?

Well, there seemed to be at least three types of those (adapters):

A.)


B.)


C.)


I have heard that some of those will need use of these? Still there is not place for those in Nevada (my understanding)?


So which one could work and how/from where lift up Nevada?

Based on looks I assume B would need those extra rolls (above)? Maybe type A too? So could type C work with Nevada (to lift up rear tire)?
Where then to put those 2 pieces? Under swingarms, or?

Sorry again about stupid question .

I just would like learn to know my bike bit better and maybe do some simple maintenance works by myself too  . Who knows, that could help a bit if I would ever face problems on the road (as riding). And of course saving money is never bad thing. 

[tazio]

Let me add to my previous post that this lift (first pic) will easily bring my HD Street glide high enough for rear wheel removal (an issue with the large rear fender). I use a roll-around stool for working around the bike at a good height.  Also, being low and small, slides under my trailer when not in use..

[Kiwi_Roy]

I have the same lift as your first picture, I just make a wooden or metal adapter to fit between it and whatever part of the bike I need to lift.
I have been using wooden blocks but to be safe they really need to be bolted to the lift.
A ratchet strap is a good idea also.
Remember this is only your first Guzzi, for sure you will want more than one or need to change it for a different model, the hoist is adaptable.

[Bulldog9]

I have center stands on most of my bikes, but for those that do not, I use a garage chock to hold the bike steady and then jack up the bike. Can used on front or rear wheel, and lift/jack the other end. Can be used on virtually any/every bike, and is a single person user. You dont need to worry about adding frame bobbins (or whatever they are called), and can double for use when trailering or shipping a bike, etc.





Very cheap and useful.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1800-lb-capacity-motorcycle-standwheel-chock-61670.html?cid=paid_google|||61670&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmLcJey4714YuGcG4bjynDJvpRPjoLsSouD-Suek4GduG3U8McnpiIUaAuuQEALw_wcB

[Murray]

Normally use a rear stand and if I need to lift the front lump of wood on a trolley jack under the sump, how high do you want to lift it vs how much room you have.

[Jorg66]

Have one of each,found out they all have there place ,esspecially when by yourself.  The red Lift of the first pic for minor stuff and to jack up Bikes for Winter, than came a Lifttable,....best money ever spend .
A couple of Wheelchocks ,one mounted on the Trailer and one mounted to 1" 2x2 Plywood.

[bad Chad]

I too use a lift like the one pictured, and use a couple carefully placed small peaces of 2x4 to catch the frame and avoid the mufflers on my v9.  If you have a helper around, it will makes it that much easier to line up.

Lift tables certainly are the way to go, but they take up more room, and cost several time more cash.

[Guzler]

Chain hoist.

[Bert Remington]

Arctic Fox -- I'm going to recommend you spend your "lift" money on something for the garage and on a SPOT Gen4 for the road, not on a center stand.

First the road.  My experience with a center stand on the unpaved surfaces for which you are buying ADV tires is the two legs sink below the surface, typically at differing rates.  A side stand with a block of wood, etc works much better for keeping the motorcycle upright.  So the center stand would be unneeded weight as well as making the underside of the motorcycle more complex to support.  And if you get a tire puncture or something significant that's what the SPOT is for.

Next the garage.  Something that keeps the motorcycle upright when changing fluids, removing the gas tank, adding accessories (of which you have plenty), and similar activities is very useful.  The basic choice is whether or not you need to remove the wheels.  My understanding is you are limited to the motorcycle dealer or tire specialist for mounting tires.  If you are required to take the motorcycle to the dealer or specialist, you don't need a fancy stand.  If you are allowed and prefer to take just the wheels to the dealer or specialist (like I do) then a more capable stand is needed.

Beyond that I have no recommendations.

[80CX100]

      I've got a variety of lifts, one similar to the OP's post, I only trust it for small bikes, lawn mowers, minor jobs etc.

      I also have an older Princess Auto air/hydraulic lift table and a Hardy clone air only table.

      I picked up a Drag Specialties? scissor jack that is nice to have up on the tables to lift different parts of the bike, I love this piece of kit, very useful.

      I have 3? different wheel chocks, and even though they may look secure, I've watched in horror as one of my bikes fell over even after I shook it back and forth a few times to verify it is was locked in secure good and tight, before I turned around to grab my tie downs,,,I'll never trust one again.

      Even with drop plates at the rear of the tables, bikes without center stands are still a challenge for me to lift both ends high/secure enough for tire changes, or if I want to disassemble the front and rear ends at the same time.

      fwiw ymmv

      Kelly 

[chuck peterson]

I second the hoist, or come along, maybe two, hanging from the ceiling
If that is possible in your garage
I have two eye bolts in the ceiling at each end of the bike to spread the load
Heavy duty straps meet at a come along at both ends
The front hooks to a small webstrap thru the handlebar clamp
Lots of options for hanging the rear
Can be adjusted to any height
Saves the floor space of the jack

[cliffrod]

I've got everything except the typical lift as shown in the first post.  The problem with them is that they hog real estate under and beside the bike, making many tasks difficult or impossible.  Then they hog storage space when not in use.  Not cool.

A smaller scissor Jack with flat top and front wheel chock works better for me.  Make adapters as needed and use straps to help keep everything in place.  For front wheel work or anything that has an impossibly tender underside, I hang it from the rafters with a come along or use an engine hoist.  We basically do it the same way at the shop.  We use everything except one of those small motorcycle lifts. 

A comealong for overhead use is probably the most versatile and the biggest space saver.  If you buy a real professional (ratchet or lever hoist with chain) come along instead of a cheap useless Hf version cable hoist, it's a lot easier to control the work for one man jobs.  It's hard now to find nice old made in USA "cheap" cable comealongs  that work like they're supposed to work.