The Handy Industries Motorcycle Lift

When you've worked on motorcycles as much as I have over the years you eventually get tired of stiff backs and cold ground. Handy Industries has a very nice solution in its lift. It's rated at 1000 lbs., so it will safely lift even the largest machines to a comfortable working height. It comes with a ramp and foot pedal to control the air, and the wheel vise and lift dolly were extra. An electric version is also available.

Operation is dead simple. Attach the ramp, roll the bike onto the lift with the front wheel centered in the vise, and use a couple of tie downs to the handlebars to hold it upright (eye bolts for the front of the lift are supplied) while you tighten up the vise on the front wheel. If you have a helper they can cinch down the vise and you won't need the tie downs. Use a bottle jack to lift the rear wheel and deploy the center stand. At this point the machine should be pretty solid on the lift, but you will be able to rock it slightly as the metal of the lift top gives under the center stand. The vise has a little flex to it as well, but it's nothing to be concerned about. Hook up an air hose (max. 100 psi) and rock the foot pedal in the "UP" direction. In a moment or two the lift will begin to rise. When it reaches the desired height, deploy the safety bracket into the desired notch, and rock the foot pedal to the "DOWN" position. The lift will settle down onto the bracket and you're ready to go to work. When you're ready to lower the bike, rock the foot pedal to the "UP" position and let the lift rise until you can rotate the safety bracket back up under the table. It will be retained there by a latch. Rock the foot pedal to "DOWN" and in a flash the bike will be gently lowered to the floor. Make sure the air hose isn't pinched by the lift as it reaches the ground. Use the jack to get the center stand back up, and use either the tie downs or a helper to release the vise. Roll the bike off the back of the stand (don't forget to reattach the ramp if you've removed it!).

The top of the lift is 7" from the ground when the lift is all the way down, and the safety bracket allows four working positions: 25", 27", 29", and 30". When not in use my lift lives under the 4Runner where it's out of the way.

In 2002 when I bought it, the lift cost $560, plus $75 for the vise and another $35 for the dolly. Shipping to my home was another $200 (this puppy is heavy!). I was able to pick the lift up at the freight terminal (Handy ships via truck, and there are steep charges for lift gate delivery) where the terminal staff helped me get the lift into the back of my truck. It was fairly easy to get it out and set up the lift on my own once I reached home. Took me about a half hour to unpack it and install the vise and eye bolts.