Note to self: When leaving cheap Chinese bike lift table outside in weather, remember, they do not have SS ram!!
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/16691716742_6ce0e8e7bd_c.jpg)
Noel
I remember when the cheap chinese Honda 50 clones started hitting the shores. I was working at a Honda dealership, wish I had a nickle for every time someone argued with me about that crap being "the same as a Honda".
More than once, I removed a side cover from a brand new chinese POS, and found internals that looked like your cylinder rod -
Most companies don't use stainless, but they do a industrial chrome plate to protect from that type of corrosion.
And you can't be pointing fingers at the maker without at least one pointing back at you - never store those extended, especially outside, for this reason!
Lesson learned, at least it was a fairly cheap one - you should be able to order a new cylinder or retrofit one.
My Harbor Freight lift has issues, I'm working through them. First and foremost, refill the system with a quality hydraulic oil. And lube all pivot points with a real grease.
And if you go that route, there are two types they stock - go for the one with the angled top rail on the lower base assembly.
Don't store a heavier bike on them with the lift table up - unless you replace the support bar with something made of real metal.
etc....
Quote from: Emporian on March 02, 2015, 05:53:39 AM
And you can't be pointing fingers at the maker without at least one pointing back at you - never store those extended, especially outside, for this reason!
Don't store a heavier bike on them with the lift table up - unless you replace the support bar with something made of real metal.
etc....
A bit of kero and 1200 wet & dry seems to have returned it to service. The only other thing I own that does not have a SS ram is my engine lifter, but that is always left down (and mostly in the weather)
The particular table I have has a metal bar that slides through the frame on both sides to lock it at full and half height so there is no load on the hydraulics when it is raised with the bike on it.
But, as you say, lesson learned and hopefully at
no expense. I will keep it oiled in future.
Noel
Holy crap! The good thing is your expert polishing skills should be able to bring that back Noel.?
Quote from: X-Ray on March 02, 2015, 06:11:03 AM
Holy crap! The good thing is your expert polishing skills should be able to bring that back Noel.?
True Ray, already done and while I was at it I did these. Much more solid feel at the lever now!
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8575/16072815993_8c43f791d5_c.jpg)
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on March 02, 2015, 06:08:06 AM
Quote from: Emporian on March 02, 2015, 05:53:39 AM
And you can't be pointing fingers at the maker without at least one pointing back at you - never store those extended, especially outside, for this reason!
Don't store a heavier bike on them with the lift table up - unless you replace the support bar with something made of real metal.
etc....
A bit of kero and 1200 wet & dry seems to have returned it to service. The only other thing I own that does not have a SS ram is my engine lifter, but that is always left down (and mostly in the weather)
The particular table I have has a metal bar that slides through the frame on both sides to lock it at full and half height so there is no load on the hydraulics when it is raised with the bike on it.
But, as you say, lesson learned and hopefully at no expense. I will keep it oiled in future.
Noel
Awesome that you got it to work - congratulations!!!
gday Noel, mine came pre-rusted from the factory so they gave me a new jack, it only leaked when it was down.
ken
Noel
my jack bench is about 9 years old now and came from a supplier down your neck of the woods for about $600.
The ram hasn't and it is usually inside but now under my carport where I installed a roller door and tarps to the open sides.
The issues I have had:
The bike/top plate (?) seems to have a slight radius across the width - can't remember if it was always like this and if it is to draw any fluid to the edges rather than pool in the middle.
It lost all its fluid for some reason. I topped it up with any available oil to see where the leak was but its never leaked again since (touch wood)
The lift lever height seems to adjust itself to whatever it feels like on the day !
the release lever linkages broke and its never been the same since -
The extension wing supports have lost their base discs
But even with all these issues it still works and supports the FJ with the safety rod in place. For the bulk of its life its had lightweight 2 stroke race bikes on it.
In fact reading all this makes me think it needs to come apart for a damn good service. What sort of hydraulic fluid do you recommend ?
BTW I have only used the pneumatic lift cylinder a few times but it seems fine.
forgot to add, with the new rust free jack it wouldnt pump all the way up to where the second hole is
Quote from: FJools on March 02, 2015, 03:58:33 PM
What sort of hydraulic fluid do you recommend ?
Oh, shit......
Quote from: rlucas on March 03, 2015, 06:44:29 AM
Quote from: FJools on March 02, 2015, 03:58:33 PM
What sort of hydraulic fluid do you recommend ?
Oh, shit......
Well now, isn't this an interesting twist on an old favourite.
I highly recommend a Dot 6.4 semi polymer, tripe grade, lemon scented..................
Seriously, any hydraulic jack oil is what you want. While other oils will work they may react with the seals and the proper stuff is cheap, widely available and the right viscosity.
Noel
Quote from: FJools on March 02, 2015, 03:58:33 PM
Noel
my jack bench is about 9 years old now and came from a supplier down your neck of the woods for about $600.
The ram hasn't and it is usually inside but now under my carport where I installed a roller door and tarps to the open sides.
The issues I have had:
The bike/top plate (?) seems to have a slight radius across the width - can't remember if it was always like this and if it is to draw any fluid to the edges rather than pool in the middle.
It lost all its fluid for some reason. I topped it up with any available oil to see where the leak was but its never leaked again since (touch wood)
The lift lever height seems to adjust itself to whatever it feels like on the day !
the release lever linkages broke and its never been the same since -
The extension wing supports have lost their base discs
Yep, no doubt about it, your table is no fake, it is genuine Chinese.
Mine also leans down at one corner and generally tilts to one side. I had always assumed the PO caught it under something when raising it.
Any thoughts I had of straightening/levelling it were dismissed immediately when I considered the how one would go about it.
But, as you say, it keeps the FJ in the air and that's all that matters. Like you, I think a good service would be in order, I removed and greased all the wheels and pivot points when I bought it, made a noticeable difference.
Quote from: ribbert on March 03, 2015, 07:38:17 AM
Quote from: rlucas on March 03, 2015, 06:44:29 AM
Quote from: FJools on March 02, 2015, 03:58:33 PM
What sort of hydraulic fluid do you recommend ?
Oh, shit......
I highly recommend a Dot 6.4 semi polymer, tripe grade, lemon scented..................
Noel
"Tripe grade"?
That takes guts.
...sorry...