Hitchcocks Forum

Hi everyone been thinking about getting a bike lift to help ease knees etc when working on the bullet, what are you using or recommend, as there are several types scissor action or the parallel type. Your views will be much appreciated as it is a bit of an expense and would like to get it right first time. As there are many things to think about, pros and cons. TIA.

I will be interest in the answers as I am getting to stage I need to work on motorcycles raised up at least a couple of feet.

Mine came as part of a deal with a BMW, the bike has gone but the bench is going strong. I've no idea what make it is, it may be home made. It has an integral car type hydraulic jack and is the parallel (?) lifting top type. It is the best single tool I have bought. I do a complete bike rebuild about every year and it's perfect for this, you can get the height just right for whatever part you're working on (timing case or top end say,) and the bench top acts as a useful area for parts waiting to be fitted or tools meaning you can leave what you're doing without clearing up every time. Things that are good to have and are not always included in the basic models are: front wheel chock or clamp, drop out section to aid rear wheel removal, non-slip section for centrestand, and tie down eyes so you can secure bike with straps when doing something violent! Mine has some of these but not all. I found the drop out rear wheel section not essential for instance, mainly because Enfield rear wheels should come out without it! Whatever type you have make sure it has a safety strut so that it can't collapse on you. These bench type lifts can be got cheaply now, there are usually some for sale in the Ads in the VMCC journal for instance, prices in the £150 + bracket.

REgards, Mark

Couldn't agree more with Mark M. I was given a second-hand one of the same type.It caused a bit of head scratching as they are quite big and my shed is only 8'x 12'but came up with the idea of sinking it into the floor so it was flush when in the down position. This made it very easy to get the bike on and off and took up no space when not in use. This obviously took a bit off its raised height but still a revelation when working on the bike;no more aching back and sore knees.

Stafford Show 15th - 16th October, also stands with all manner of lifts/tables/benches etc and at good prices.

Best purchase I ever made in the garage.

From experience;
Get one that's plenty wide and long enough (I did)
Get a foot operated one (I didn't)
Get one on wheels if you need to move in at all often (I don't but just to move it to clean underneath is a chore - they are heavy)
Strap the bike on if you are going to be doing any spannering (I don't bother if just cleaning, but perhaps I should.
If you are sure you won't need to move it, bolt it to the floor.
They're not just for bikes, lawnmowers and all sorts of stuff gets fixed on mine.

Again, from experience, when lowering the table, make very sure there's nothing underneath (stool for instance) I had a nasty moment with mine and nearly tipped the Bullet off.

The problem I got is very simple, there is room for the Flash & a Box or there is room for a stand but not both. Hubbs idea is sound for a wooden floor but mine is concrete with a water pipe running underneath. At ** years of age I can still work off the floor using a foam kneeler

I may be bone idle but i've got to the stage of either asking my daughter to fix anything or I take it to a local bike workshop where there is a young lad who knows more about spannering old Brit bikes than I ever did. But a lift for my daughter might be useful...

Thanks for all your replies, this is the type I am looking towards.


comments appreciated.

Always get it t*ts up. Here's the other pic