A question for the physics brains out there.

[Anonymous]

Buy a lift

[arveejay]

Scotty, I'm having too much fun to just stop now. It's just a toy which I may only actually use it once a year. A friend of mine has one of those lifts which just rolls under it and lifts it up. I couldn't see a simple way to make it lift on the frame and not the exhaust pipes.Not wanting to put undo stress on any place not designed to handle that weight I just figured I'd wait for something better to come along. I traded the lift for labor and have less than $50.00 into it. Another $10.00 to finish it and I'll roll it on, push the button and stand there and watch it go up.

The ultimate toy for a lazy bas**** like myself.

[Anonymous]

Scotty, I'm having too much fun to just stop now. It's just a toy which I may only actually use it once a year. A friend of mine has one of those lifts which just rolls under it and lifts it up. I couldn't see a simple way to make it lift on the frame and not the exhaust pipes.Not wanting to put undo stress on any place not designed to handle that weight I just figured I'd wait for something better to come along. I traded the lift for labor and have less than $50.00 into it. Another $10.00 to finish it and I'll roll it on, push the button and stand there and watch it go up.

The ultimate toy for a lazy bas**** like myself.

I was just being a wise ass as usual. I really admire you for the project

[Diamondj]

This is just off the top of my head but based on the set-up you describe, would it be possible to build a short cinder block, concrete, and rebar "knee wall" in a more centered location in your work space and then bolt the lift to that? Then you could run the bike up length wise on the lift and still get to the side that would have been blocked by the wall. You'll have to sink some rebar into the floor to make the short wall strong enough to do the lifting. Which actually makes me want to ask this question: Are you sure your existing wall is strong enough to take the strain the mechanism will generate if you bolt it to the wall as planned?

[Anonymous]

I know what you're talking about - part of my job involves inspecting wheelchair vans, so I'm familiar with the lifts like you've got.

You're correct about extending the ramp to support the bike putting more leverage on the lift itself. Still, with a 500lb bike, I don't think you're going to get the equivalent of 1500lbs of force on the shorter ramp by extending it. So that idea should work fine, whether you use the centerstand or not.

My concern is how well you've got the lift itself bolted down. Don't want to get the bike in the air, then have the whole thing come crashing down on you. 8O But it sounds like you've thought this through. I can't quite picture how you've got the lift secured there, mostly because I'm used to seeing them installed properly in wheelchair vans. But it sounds like a reasonable idea.

Last I checked, there was a crashed wheelchair van at the local junkyard. Now you've got me thinking...

[arveejay]

Well the neighbor and I just finished the rail. It's bent, welded and sitting in place. After I stuff my face we're going to weld it on and hopefully I'll be trying it out before long. I'm hoping the cable will hold it along with the anchors in the wall and floor. Will start with smaller bike and work my way up to the heavier ones. I'll let you know what happens.

[argonsagas]

Cool idea, but channel iron ain't cheap! If you're buying retail, it will likely cost more than the price of a new bike hoist.

Found a new bike hoist today. Brand new, in a box, for CA$150. roughly US$115.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like it's coming along nicely. One suggestion - build some kind of legs under your lift that you can extend when the lift is up. Then lower the lift slightly and let the legs carry the weight. Saftey first. You don't want a 500 lb bike falling into you.

[arveejay]

Well the rail cost 32.00, Now I'm into it by about $75.00. It will work but I have to keep a charger on the battery when it is lifting. Pulls a lot of amps. Really works it to lift that weight. I put legs on it to support the end when it's up for added security. Seems fine but being the paranoid type, I
ll probably never feel comfortable about it. Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas in helping me on this one folks. Spent about 2 days and $75.00, a regular lift probably would have worked just as good, but, OH WELL.

[HiSPL]

Glad we could help

[cbxchris]

I have a regular air lift that several people make...these are the most common type used in bike shops. They are more reasonable than most think. I got the front wheel vise and the wider add on platforms for 4 wheelers and it still wasn`t 800 bucks to my door. I know thats a lot of money but it has been well worth it to me. I work on my lawn mowers,4 wheelers,bikes...almost anything you need to raise. Its great to push up to the bed of a truck and unload something heavy then let it down. I guess its something that when you get used to it that its hard to do without. That was a good try...if it had worked it would have been great.

[Anonymous]

Ron: If you need steel and aluminum the best place to go is the Metal Supermarket. They cut the pieces up for you and their is no minimum fee.

Steve