May 28 2009
Using A Motorcycle Lift To Its Potential
The motorcycle lift is in many respects similar to that of its car lift counterpart. However I received a number of emails asking to go over the basics of these so never one to disappoint, I shall go right ahead.
Anyone working in the motorbike industry whether its repairs, sales or modifications will have used one of these useful tools. A motorcycle lift is a lift table that has been created with the sole use to raise motorcycles of the ground for inspection etc. The advantage these lifts bring to any mechanic or budding motorbike modder is that once the motorbike has been raised to a certain level, the person inspecting the bike will not have the usual neck or back straining commonly related to ground repairs, so from a human health standpoint they are great as they remove the danger of back injuries.
As one might expect, motorcycle lifts are much smaller than their car lift counterpart. For the home user this comes as a welcome relief as now they can be sure they can use these in their home garage or large shed. The good thing is that as these lifts are accessible to the home market, now motorbike enthusiasts can inspect and repair their own bike now with no requirement to take their bike into a professional garage saving themselves some money in the process. The maintenance of the motorbike becomes more accessible also when using these lifts, tasks such as oil changes no longer will require the bike owner to lie on the cold hard ground.
For the most part, motorcycle lifts are constructed from stainless steel and powered with the use of hydraulics, thus making them suitable to safety lift weights of up to 680kg.
Of course, because of the diversity of motorcycles, lifts nowadays come in a variety of models although most are designed purely for standard motorcycles. However, there are those available which are designed in such a way they can be adjusted to different lengths for the purpose of lifting longer than standard motorcycles such as choppers, dragsters and Harley Davidson.
Again just like the car lift before it, motorcycle lifts must be respected pieces of equipment and you must be very cautious in using them. Always make sure you have turned of the motorbike engine before raising it, make sure that you keep a close eye on the security blocks found on the lift and that the bike is secured tightly into place.
If you feel as though you are in the market for a decent motorcycle lift whether it is for business or personal use, you should always develop a healthy habit of regularly keeping an eye on all the nuts and bolts to make sure that it is in top condition. This maintenance can make your lift stay functional for many years.
As with the advice I offer to those purchasing car lifts, you should ideally choose a motorcycle lift based on your own personal requirements. Particular attention should be paid to safety features as well as weight or size restrictions and above all, never make your choice based on price.
The same situation appears with regards to the more robust lift tables, in that they do require allot more maintenance but if you are a business these will certainly give you more bang for your buck as opposed to a lift designed for personal home use.
