homemade bike lift

[bexabarr]

Simply ingenious… I love to see people using their heads… maybe because I don’t use mine as often as I should Though your post has definitely got me thinking! I just bought a mig welder and been looking for a new project. Something like this might just be what I was looking for... Thanks

[sae3231]

I've been looking for an excuse to buy a mig welder. Well, I don't need an excuse, I just need to justify it to the women who won't let go of the check book. But honey, buying a mig welder will be much cheaper than buying an expensive motorcycle lift and we can use it for so many different things!!!!

[tconroy]

another pic

BRILLANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mtalneck78]

Buy the welder. Even if you don't build a lift, you will be amazed at how much you will be using it. I started my shop many years ago with just an oxy/acet. torch set. I have since moved up to a mig, tig, plasma cutter, & pretty much a complete machine shop. Its nice knowing I can make almost anything I need.

I justify buying tools, to my wife, by making side money doing assorted metal fab work. I don't have any formal training, just a desire to work with metal, & alot of practice.

I would be glad to help anyone, & you can also log onto SHOPFLOORTALK.com for some really good advice & help with tool purchases.

I would not advise you to buy one of those cheap Harbor Freight import type mig welders. Even if you only use it once in a while, it is a bad investment. I bought one of those many years ago, & it turned out to be a big joke. Put it in the trash, got a decent US brand mig, & have been very happy.

[Planecrazy]

Look forward to your "step by step" instructions! haha!!

Regards,

[morbidphil0622]

Dude, market that baby and you are soooooo in the money!!!

[Jethro]

All I wanna know is when can you make me one and how much should I make the check for. Best bike lift I've seen.

[Planecrazy]

Ok, I've been thinking about it, and there's one change I'd make that would put the icing on your awesome cake ...

If you can redesign the arm and the base so that both of them fold against the main beam you will have a kick-ass lift that stores against the wall, taking up only a few inches when you're not using it!! I'm thinking the use of some high strength pins would give you a lift capable of handling several thousand pounds without compromising versatility.

You'd make a "mint" selling them at reasonable profit!

Regards,

[mtalneck78]

Wow, didn't really expect this much responce from my lift. I have thought about selling this in some way, but I am concerned about the liability problems involved. I mean....what if somebody gets hurt, or worse, because their bike falls off the lift(improperly mounted). Will I get sued by some crooked a$$ lawyer? You just can't hardly trust some people nowdays. I might make a few(for GS members) after coming up with a more universal mounting system, but probably need some legal help. Anybody know about this type problem?

Here is a recent pic of my GS getting new tires, bearings, chain/sprokets, & other assorted work. Couldn't imagine doing this without my lift.

[Billy Ricks]

Wow, didn't really expect this much responce from my lift. I have thought about selling this in some way, but I am concerned about the liability problems involved. I mean....what if somebody gets hurt, or worse, because their bike falls off the lift(improperly mounted). Will I get sued by some crooked a$$ lawyer? You just can't hardly trust some people nowdays. I might make a few(for GS members) after coming up with a more universal mounting system, but probably need some legal help. Anybody know about this type problem?

Here is a recent pic of my GS getting new tires, bearings, chain/sprokets, & other assorted work. Couldn't imagine doing this without my lift.

If you make them for members just make them provide a no liability guarantee for you. Something signed and notarized that they are using it at their own risk. You have us as witnesses.

Bert Patterson is a lawyer, though this isn't his field. He may be able to give you a little guidance.

[Jethro]

Hey, they sell parachutes, don't they?

The bike lift sure would beat my hoist. It's basically an LVL beam in my basement that I attach huge ratchet straps to (you know, like logging trucks use) to hold the bike up. It's a pain becasue the bike moves becasue it's held by straps (10k lbs per strap).

[lord1234]

Hey, they sell parachutes, don't they?

The bike lift sure would beat my hoist. It's basically an LVL beam in my basement that I attach huge ratchet straps to (you know, like logging trucks use) to hold the bike up. It's a pain becasue the bike moves becasue it's held by straps (10k lbs per strap).

Jethro...try Kreeming a tank while having it on a bike (which it won't come off of since its part of the frame) on straps hanging from the ceiling...see...now that sucks!

[chicagogsx]

I would be glad to help anyone, & you can also log onto SHOPFLOORTALK.com for some really good advice & help with tool purchases.

I would not advise you to buy one of those cheap Harbor Freight import type mig welders. Even if you only use it once in a while, it is a bad investment. I bought one of those many years ago, & it turned out to be a big joke. Put it in the trash, got a decent US brand mig, & have been very happy.

I want to get into welding myself. I was curious to what the difference between MIG and TIG welding is...and if they would both be used for welding on motorcyle frames/parts.

I was also curious as to how much a good welder goes for..that will be capable of taking on motorcycle welding purposes. I've seen some cheap ones at the local hardware stores..but they even say "for the hobbiest"..so I'm assuming they wouldn't fit the bill.

Thanks

[mtalneck78]

A MIG welder uses a spool of wire (solid or flux cored) that is pushed into the weld puddle with a hand held gun. This form of welding is alot easier to learn than any other. I bought a Lincoln 175amp portable unit that I like alot. I think you can get them for around $500-$700 depending if catch one on sale. This is a 220v model, but you can also get a 110v. Just depends on the metal thickness to be welded.

A TIG welder has a handheld torch that uses a tungsten electrode to strike the arc that forms the weld puddle. You use your other hand to dip a filler rod into the puddle if more metal is needed to form the joint. TIG is harder to learn, but is much more accurate than MIG. TIG is much slower than MIG, but makes some really nice welds. I have a Lincoln 175 Pro Tig That sees alot of use. I think I payed $1400 for it about 3yrs ago. With Tig you are using both hands & a foot pedal amp control, so it takes some practice.

Books will help you get started, but the only way to learn is to turn the welder on & burn some (alot) of rod.

Both MIG & TIG are used to weld motorcycle parts, but do some shopping around & don't buy a cheap welder. You can't go wrong with just about any USA brand welder.

Hope this helps.

[lhanscom]

Don't forget about the buzz box. Stick welding is another good option, as long as you're talking steel, not aluminum. I prefer it to mig overall, you have to knock off the slag, but tends to be more accurate then mig. You can get into one cheap too, I picked up an AC only Lincoln for under $300. Someday I'll get a Tig setup for doing the nice stuff. Welding takes a lot of practice to get good at, but isn't hard to start, and is addicting once you do.

Great lift, if you don't mind me asking, what size/type of screw is that?