I built the original inception almost 2 years ago. It was a solid table, then, with an 8 ft. Solid plank ramp. Pushing off and on this set up by myself made me as nervous as a longtailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I decided to keep the top platform, but come up with some way to raise and lower it. That said, this what I came up with:
The lift consists of 6 legs: 2 front, full length legs, 2 rear short legs and 2 full length rear legs that are hinged. Additionally, I found the designs online to build a front wheel vice. To load the bike, I fold the hinged legs under, resting on the short legs, effectively ramping the table. I also have a shorter, cut version of my old plank ramp to better transition onto the table. Once the bike is pushed up into the wheel vice, I drop the tranny down into 1st and clamp the wheel. Using my floor jack under the front of the table, I jack it up till level. While I'm doimg this, the hinged legs drop down right behind the short legs. Now, if you notice, I have pieces of angle iron mounted to both those sets of legs, complete with holes. The hinged legs swing down and the 2 sets of angle irons meet. This allows me to run a bolt and nut through each set, locking the two pair of legs upright and together. Lastly are the caster wheels. These aren't cheap but worth every bit cause when locked, they not only lock from rolling, but also from swiveling. This table has made this build SOOOOO much easier!
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