Motorcycle lifts

I am looking at motorcycle lifts. The Kendon Cruiser lift looks interesting.

http://www.kendonusa.com/cruiserlift.html

Does anyone have one? Are they stable when raised? Will they really lift a bike as heavy as 1,000 poinds?

I have been using this lift for a couple of years without any problems. It easily handles the Nortons and I have had no problem lifting my Moto Guzzi EV California (about 575 lbs dry weight). I have not had the occasion to put anything heavier on it but, FWIW, I did buy the lift from a Harley dealer that said it handled everything that he had ever put on it. The side-to-side stability is very good and the air-over-hydraulic works well. Even the hand levered hydraulic is easy to use. Storing the lift is very easy as it stands on-end and rolls up flat against a wall. I added a air line foot control for stand-up operation making repositioning the bike height real convenient. Note that putting a Norton up on a center stand for maintenance (like a rear tire change, for instance) is not possible with this stand. A frame jack will need to be used and would probably be safer anyway.

The only criticisms that I have is that I purchased the optional SS oil drain pan with the lift and found that the pan didn't extend far enough forward to catch crankcase oil flow for the Nortons (it's great for the Goose). OTOH, catching the oil when changing the oil filter is easy. The only other comment that I would make is that the front wheel chock can be a bit of a trial until you figure out the correct stance and bike balance point when removing the bike from the stand. I would prefer to have a front tire vise instead of the current chock mechanism.

Hope this helps.

Hi Cal,
They do in fact look interesting, however for just a little more money you could purchase the "Handy Lift" brand table lift which is about two feet wide giving you a place to set tools, parts, drain pans, etc. The Handy lift is practically an industry standard and extremely durable. The Handy lift front wheel clamp (which is unfortunately extra) works so well that you don't need to use extra straps to tie the bike down. I think this is the website www.handy-lift.com

calbigbird said:

I am looking at motorcycle lifts. The Kendon Cruiser lift looks interesting.

http://www.kendonusa.com/cruiserlift.html

Does anyone have one? Are they stable when raised? Will they really lift a bike as heavy as 1,000 poinds?

Click to expand...

I have one for the last 6 years and like it. Had only one problem, a external c-clip for the center scissor pin kept flying off. Put a new one on and have a spare. No problem since then. Got all the accessories for it also. Those Kendon lifts are not too far from you.

I recently picked one up used. So far its great. Though Im thinking of replacing the old cylinder with one that has a air hook up.

I have a Handy Lift (mentioned above) and am very pleased with it. I bought the electric model as I like to work on my bikes early in the morning and didn't want to wake up the neighbors with my compressor starting. So far it's worked out very well. I just moved from Florida to Kentucky (don't ask why) and found the sucker to be very heavy to move though.

I too have been interested in these Kendon Lifts. They have a smaller model for sportbikes that will lift 600 lbs, far more than the old Commando. I ran a quick measurement and think it would take the Norton lengthwise but only just. I would love to see one of these and live only a short distance from where they are made. Do you think they might have any on display at the factory? I tried to telephone but got the old automated run around. Has anyone seen the sportbike lift?

There is something to said for a wide platform. I am always dropping something, and with my cheap a$$ Harbor Freight lift, it almost always stays on the platform, and I don't have to chase it around on the floor. I looked at the skinny lifts, but now I love having the workspace right there by the scoot.

I have a Handy lift. Works great. Bought it used for $400. There are a lot of them on Craig's list. My neighbor picked one up, like new for $500. Made in the USA.

Will these Handy lifts stand up when not in use? That is a very big feature with space being a a real premium in the shop. I too like the idea of a wide lift but really need to be able to stand it and roll it to the side to make room for other projects.

Nice.

openroad said:

There is something to said for a wide platform. I am always dropping something, and with my cheap a$$ Harbor Freight lift, it almost always stays on the platform, and I don't have to chase it around on the floor. I looked at the skinny lifts, but now I love having the workspace right there by the scoot.

Click to expand...

Agree totally. I like my lift because I can get jacks on it to lift things in place and blocks of wood to stabilise things when they are not bolted down, and also having the wide sides is great for all my tools and my cuppa :wink:
Also the security of a front wheel clamp as has been said- is good

Just pretend that is a Norton on there

Pretend nothing.....I could do that. Nice stuff.

I have the Kendon. It works just fine with my Norton and my full dress Harley. I have worked on bikes on the wider lifts and you are always bending to get to the bike. With this lift you can get right in there. Also if your work area is at all confined it stores on end in a very small area. Something you can not do with a full width lift.

hudson29 said:

Will these Handy lifts stand up when not in use? That is a very big feature with space being a a real premium in the shop. I too like the idea of a wide lift but really need to be able to stand it and roll it to the side to make room for other projects.

Click to expand...

I don't think you'll find the Handy Lift easy to stand up. I''m not sure what it weighs, but it's a bunch. You can buy an optional wheel dolly to help move it around, but it's still hard to move it around with the dolly. I would not think of trying to stand that sucker up.

Someone on this forum has an Easy Riser (http://www.on-bike.com/) I think that is the best when space is at a premium.

Jean

My lift can be rolled around with the bike on it, I do it all the time in my little shop. I have to pull the car out and roll the lift from against wall out to work on both sides. I suppose you could stand it on end, it would be heavy for one guy. Probably I would use it as a storage bench on the wall when it's empty.

I use a smaller lift to snug the Harley up against the wall so I can fit the car in. Pretty tight, but easy to keep warm in the winter.

That EasyRiser is certainly compact and it does provide plenty of access to the wheels but does not offer any work surface and looks like the bike would need to be lowered and turned to work on the other side. I wonder how stable it is?

Openroad, what is the make of your wheel around lift? It looks like it has a front wheel lock or vise of some sort?

Hi all I have the ez-riser and I love there is no issues get to anything on the bike and that's from both sides as for stable I set the 71 basket/rust case on it and have broke wrenches before she has moved at all. I would recommend it the only draw back is there is not place to put your wrench but a rolling cart works great for me

I use a homemade lift made out of 40mm square steel sections and a 3 tons hydraulic jack .
The lower structure is bolted to the floor, and this lift gave me good service over the last 10 years.