Well, bought myself an early birthday pressie, its a nice new Moto Max hydraulic lift table for the FJ. Bought it off Ebay, ($399.00) its well made, extremely HEAVY, and it works with both the foot pedal to raise and compressed air. There was a little bit of assembly, paint is nice and thick, I'm happy. I did say to Mrs Ray that this was not only for the FJ, you could use it as a work table to pot plants, paint things, groom the dog etc etc, all with a cover on it of course, :sarcastic: It will go up to 840mm high, which is plenty, and the safety lock is at the 760mm mark which is also plenty.
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/55932fa1-185f-455e-8bf7-a1bbd7e4b215.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/ee796efb-eeb0-4197-8970-0e1156495747.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/1c413d07-d4c0-40df-8e54-f7508d68d58c.jpg)
It was interesting getting the bike up the first couple of times. Theres not really a way to put the centre stand down without something to stand on, like this old pot plant rack, just the right height!. With the bike in the middle of the table, the sidestand will not go down as it misses the table, unless the bike is placed on the far right of the table. Of course as soon as you do use the centre stand, the front wheel pulls back from the clamp support.
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/c8fb03aa-9c01-4b01-bbea-d5437b19291b.jpg)
Having somewhere to put nuts/bolts etc instead of on the floor where they get kicked to the sh%thouse while stumbling around will be a major benefit for me, :sarcastic:
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/9f306211-f0a5-45e8-b500-feccec07e054.jpg)
The rear loading ramp simply slides off/on to give good access if needed.
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/0925f0c9-1323-499e-b0a9-19d5023fb8cb.jpg)
This the main safetly lock, just slide the metal bar in place. There is also another lock through the top of the table. The front wind down supports raise the front castors off the ground, although I did find I still needed chocks to stop it all sliding away while rolling the FJ up the ramp.
Nice table, it will certainly outlast me. Even when raised it was all nice and sturdy, I might still add a small section of plate steel where the 2 centrestand contact points are, just to distribute the weight more. Just noticed a rear suspension squeak as well, this arrived just in time :good2:
Ray, you are gonna loooooove this.
I expect a raving report shortly about how good it is.
You have made the same discoveries I did. If you have a centre stand, use it. Yes, you do need something to stand on at table height to put it on the stand or invest in a hernia belt.
The wind down legs are useless and will eventually bend, I use a piece of 8mm dowel under the back wheels. It's better chocking the back wheels because they have the weight on them when you're running it up the ramp. That air hose is a bloody nuisance. It always gets under the wheels when you roll it around. DON'T hang it from part of the bike to get it out of the way, you will forget then raise the table, or so I've heard. After the novelty wears off you will end up always using the foot pedal anyway.
The FJ is the best thing I have bought in the last 20 years, this is the second best!
Noel
noice :drinks: can't wait to see it all painted in matching colours :good2:
Looks like it needs a Christening with some sorta family gathering - on a Sunday. :sarcastic:
:good2: Ray
use tie downs roll it all the way forward & once you have it tied down then clamp it in place with the front wheel, then you don't need to use the center stand :biggrin:
Baldy
G'day Ray!
Nice!.I like the very clever explanation of multiple uses to Mrs Ray :biggrin:
I noticed the chainsaw on the floor.I hope your not planning any street fighter mods! :crazy:
Cheers :drinks:
Jeff P
Quote from: baldy3853 on April 11, 2013, 05:47:16 AM
:good2: Ray
use tie downs roll it all the way forward & once you have it tied down then clamp it in place with the front wheel, then you don't need to use the center stand :biggrin:
Baldy
That sort of defeats the purpose a bit. You can't lube or adjust the chain, clean the wheels, raise the front, turn the bars, work on suspension and it makes putting the bike on a hassle. As the clamp won't hold the bike upright I'm not sure how you would even manage that single handed.
I put mine up most weeks after a ride for cleaning and leave it there until the next ride in case I want to fiddle with it through the week or feel like a bit of cleaning and polishing as I'm walking past.
It's as stable on the centre stand up there as it is on the floor and I wheel mine around on the table.
Noel
:hi: I've had mine for a few years now and wish I had bought one years earlier!!!
John.
I've wanted one of these for years...............I keep putting it off, and putting it off...............maybe this year!
Heh Heh, that chainsaw is for wood only Jeff. I was wondering about the tie downs Lord Baldy, and the only time I think I would use them would be to pull the back end down to raise the front wheel for removal/fork work. As Noel said they are pretty stable, and it would actually be pretty easy to remove BOTH wheels at the same time if you needed to using this method as well. (I keep thinking up all these things to do now, lol)
Once I get rid of the camper trailer in the shed I'll have a heap more room to move around, can't wait. Thanks for the tip earlier about the table length Noel, I can now see the shorter 1500mm table would have been next to useless, really need a minimum 1800 actual table length I think.
Talk about painting it in matching colours Springy, mate at work decided the FJ should match the yellow table, so he doctored the photo so the FJ now had lovely "bright" coloured paintwork that wouldn't look out of place at the Sydney Mardi-Gras, :biggrin:, No respect from some people.
Quote from: Firehawk068 on April 11, 2013, 10:45:41 PM
I've wanted one of these for years...............I keep putting it off, and putting it off...............maybe this year!
No no no, get it off your "maybe" list or it won't happen this year either.
Just do it. I imagine they are pretty cheap in the States.
I swear when you finally get one you will kick yourself for not doing it sooner.
Noel
Ray, I raise both the wheels at once every time I wash it, I use a bottle jack under the lug in front of the sump plug.
Noel
Yours is wicked nice!! I picked up the cheap Harbor Freight model on sale with a couupin and I will concur that it is a brilliant bit o kit!! My little trick... put it up on the center stand and then put a ratchet tie-down on the cross bar of the center stand and the other on the front of the lift. Then basically drag it forward to get the front tire into the clamp. When it is time to get it back down, I use a rear stand to get the back tire in air along with the C/S and fold it up and let it back down gently. I do admit I have a helper/spotter when doing the balancing act transitions. I was amazed at all the tasks I can't do when the bike is at full height! :P If you have the space for it, you wont regret it after using it the first time. Justify it in your tool budget and your back will thank you from that moment forward. You will then look for a nice shop stool on wheels to compliment the new lift. I believe in the tie downs as well for extra stability.
Great addition to anyones shed in my opinion.
Bought mine 2nd hand dont know how I lived without it , helps with my creaking knee,s :smile:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/4/518_13_04_13_12_49_23.jpeg)
When doing work on front of bike I found easiest thing for me is to use the centre stand and hold the back down with tie downs. I did use a small hydraulic jack but it when down over a weekend luckily no damage just look a bit precarious when I saw it :good2:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/4/518_13_04_13_1_01_04.jpeg)
Looks great!. :good2: Exactly how I thought about using the tie downs etc for when I service my forks soon.
Only thing is your garage is way too clean, I am now going out into my shed to throw out a lot of junk that should have been chucked a long time ago, :biggrin:
Oh i would love one of these. I have three bikes at the moment, none of which have a centre stand. Had the fj running great and had done a nice bit of work on it over the winter, then i stripped the drain plug. Managed to get another sump from a local breaker, just waiting on gaskets for the pick up and sump to arrive.
A lift like this would make things a lot easier for my close to fifty year old knees and back.
This is great. Just taking off the headers so I can clean them properley and the front of the engine after our wet Aussie Rally recently. Its actually fun to do this now and not a chore, lol.
Which leads me to... has anyone got one of those front "fender extender" type of things. I really need to lengthen the front guard, it just lets too much crap get thrown up behind it. I've seen a couple on the 'net, not sure how good they are.
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/FujiF550-11728.jpg) (http://s367.photobucket.com/user/raywise_2008/media/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/FujiF550-11728.jpg.html)
Quote from: X-Ray on April 22, 2013, 06:01:40 AM
This is great. Just taking off the headers so I can clean them properley and the front of the engine after our wet Aussie Rally recently. Its actually fun to do this now and not a chore, lol.
Which leads me to... has anyone got one of those front "fender extender" type of things. I really need to lengthen the front guard, it just lets too much crap get thrown up behind it. I've seen a couple on the 'net, not sure how good they are.
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo115/raywise_2008/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/FujiF550-11728.jpg) (http://s367.photobucket.com/user/raywise_2008/media/FJ1200%20Bits%20and%20Pieces/FujiF550-11728.jpg.html)
Your a quick learner Ray, I see you figured out how to use the table, rolling chair and beer stand.
thats not carlton mid strength is it? thats what they serve to oldies who wet themselves, buy the way i love your lifter, ive a red one and love it, but its a full strength lifter, he he he, sorry i shouldnt be so cheeky being as im new here, :rofl:
Heh Heh, it makes a great beer stand Noel. This weekend I'll be clearing some room so I can really roll that chair around, lol.
Got another 2 cartons Ken of Carlton Mid ready to go in the bar fridge (which that monitor with the red towel is sitting on :0 ). I don't buy the full strength brews much anymore, I end up getting pissed too quickly, and instead of working on the bike, I just sit and stare at it, :rofl2: :rofl2:
i understand that to be honest, about a month ago i tried the carlton mid route to see if i could get suitably pissed enough,save a few bucks and escape the ever worsening hangovers but alas as im only 48 it didnt quite cut it , i will try it again when im 50, admittedly its not a bad drop for a lighter beer , just doesnt really do anything for me , for now at least, enjoy it. ken
heres a piccy of my red one with elcy on it
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/IMG_7290.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/IMG_7290.jpg.html)
I'm on the mid already, and I'm only 48 next month! :drinks:
That is one mint looking RD, will have to see it in person one day, love it!.
Quote from: ken65 on April 22, 2013, 07:13:45 AM
heres a piccy of my red one with elcy on it
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/IMG_7290.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/IMG_7290.jpg.html)
Elcy looks like a nice ride, wouldn't mind riding her for a bit! (I hope she isn't named after your wife or daughter...)
he he he, no its an rd350 LC, affectionately known as ELCY after the LC (liquid cooled) these lttle things will blow you away if your've never been on one, only around 50 horses on a good day but it gets it in 1 go, typical 2 stroke, blew it up about 5 months ago so rebuilding again, but the fj is sure slowing the rebuild down though, ken
gday xray, it is a beautiful bike, it was a nut and bolt over a couple of years , cost a fortune , i will never do a full resto again, but i did enjoy the ride, i will never get my money back but i sure did learn alot.sorry to get of track, somebody can delete this if they want,
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/IMG_5973.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/IMG_5973.jpg.html)
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/001.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/001.jpg.html)
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/IMG_6783.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/IMG_6783.jpg.html)
Very Nice! Thanks for the photos. Now you've done the nut and bolt rebuild on the RD Ken, the FJ will be a breeze, :smile:
Quote from: ken65 on April 22, 2013, 07:43:21 AM
.sorry to get of track, somebody can delete this if they want,
WHY?
It's a beautiful bike, it's a Yamaha, it's a resto, I can see even from those couple of photos that no detail was overlooked, you're obviously proud of it and everbody loves an RD.
It might not be an FJ but it IS family.
Noel
In the good ol days you could put 350 heads and barrels on your RD250 and keep it on the cheap rego, I had one of the earlier ones with a gold tank and black stripe :yahoo:
Very nice bike ! I like your beer stand..... :rofl2:
George
They keep getting cheaper, only $349.99. I have this one and love it. http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html)
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/campsimonette/stand_zpsd7e829d5.jpg) (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/campsimonette/media/stand_zpsd7e829d5.jpg.html)
That's a brilliant bit of kit Ray and now you've got me thinking about it. By the way, I've had a fender extender on my 3XW for several years and I think it does its job well and looks okay.
Thanks Leon, I've made some enquiries with Motorrad in Perth? as they stock the Fenda Extendas, didn't have an FJ12 listed though. They are available, so hopefully they can order one in, (around $30.00).
I was thinking do I REALLY need that bike lift, but now I have it, and will not be selling the FJ anytime soon, the answer is YES. It lifts the bike to a manageable height, becomes a work platform, stores nuts/bolts from the job neatly, (no more kicking them into the corners of the shed), makes oil changes a breeze, chain adjustment/replacement, swingarm/rear shock work, front susp, all much much more pleasant. Plus you can actually SEE what is going on under the bike properley for a change.
Drop by one day and have a look, :drinks:
Hoo Roo
For those of you guys who have these things, and because I'm thinking of making/buying something similar:
Has anyone put anti-slip tape on one, or has it been a nonissue? I figure once you dump oil on it, it'd be a bit slick for rolling a bike onto/offof, and that's just the luck, to drop the damned bike after giving it a service and being in the mood to ride, right? Trying to come up with ideas for how I'd make one (probably just a short workbench and a ramp was my idea really, storage underneath and air/light/power drops above), and trying to ensure I'm not forgetting something critical.
I had my bike on a lift the other day, and there was some oil from the last job... And it was a little unnerving. Definitely something worth thinking about.
Or, just make sure you clean the surface before and after every job. :pardon:
Quote from: andyb on April 23, 2013, 01:22:37 PM
For those of you guys who have these things, and because I'm thinking of making/buying something similar:
Has anyone put anti-slip tape on one, or has it been a nonissue? I figure once you dump oil on it, it'd be a bit slick for rolling a bike onto/offof, and that's just the luck, to drop the damned bike after giving it a service and being in the mood to ride, right? Trying to come up with ideas for how I'd make one (probably just a short workbench and a ramp was my idea really, storage underneath and air/light/power drops above), and trying to ensure I'm not forgetting something critical.
I made one from milk crates, plywood, outdoor carpeting & a wheel chock from HF - http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-69026.html. (http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-69026.html.) I use a car ramp to get the bike up, it's better for smaller bikes but I've had the fj on it. And yes, oil on the steel lift makes things quite interesting when loading and unloading, best to clean it up with carb spray or grease/oil remover..
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/campsimonette/cratebench_zps2fe893ff.jpg) (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/campsimonette/media/cratebench_zps2fe893ff.jpg.html)
If you have Facebook you may be able to view a video of the above bike (1966 Suzuki K11P) here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3002408718550&l=1461926961069210083 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3002408718550&l=1461926961069210083)
Quote from: andyb on April 23, 2013, 01:22:37 PM
Has anyone put anti-slip tape on one, or has it been a nonissue? I figure once you dump oil on it, it'd be a bit slick for rolling a bike onto/off
:hi: I've had mine for a few years now and never had this kind of an issue. Mind you, once the bike is up, I lay old newspapers/paper towel underneath the motor/work area in case of any fluid spills, crap, etc...also helps when you drop fasteners :blush: as they tend not to bounce off!! Makes clean up a breeze...roll up paper and dispose of :good:
Once the bike comes off, I always give the whole ramp a quick brush and wipe down...just in case :bomb:
I also have one of those magnetic S S dishes to put fasteners in to save them rolling around :good:
John.
I've got one of the Harbor Freight tables as well. Best $ I've spent so far. My back is sooooo much happier! Now only if my garage was still that clean.. :mad:
(http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae130/pdxfj/Misc%20Stuff/lift.jpg)
Quote from: andyb on April 23, 2013, 01:22:37 PM
For those of you guys who have these things, and because I'm thinking of making/buying something similar:
Has anyone put anti-slip tape on one, or has it been a nonissue? I figure once you dump oil on it, it'd be a bit slick for rolling a bike onto/offof, and that's just the luck, to drop the damned bike after giving it a service and being in the mood to ride, right? Trying to come up with ideas for how I'd make one (probably just a short workbench and a ramp was my idea really, storage underneath and air/light/power drops above), and trying to ensure I'm not forgetting something critical.
I have all the steel I need to make one of these. I have a suitable jack, wheels, bearings, channel, big mig and I make a lot of things out of steel.
However it took me no time at all after looking at one to decide it wasn't even remotely worth making one, even without having to spend anything and even with plans off the net.
If you spill oil, wipe it off. I bit of kero or petrol on a rag.
Anti slip? Can't see any advantage.
Dropping the bike? You're more likely to achieve this trying to run it up a ramp onto the bench.
Motorbike shops all used to have timber benches with ramps and dropped bikes were not uncommon. Even lost a few myself.
Move it up the priority list and make the effort to buy one. I bought a second hand one for about 2/3 new price.
Like everyone else here, wished I'd bought it years ago and can't believe how good it is.
noel
Quote from: Dads_FJ on April 22, 2013, 02:12:47 PM
They keep getting cheaper, only $349.99. I have this one and love it. http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html)
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/campsimonette/stand_zpsd7e829d5.jpg) (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/campsimonette/media/stand_zpsd7e829d5.jpg.html)
Brand new Harbor Freight just opened last week about 10 minutes away from here (now have three within 30 mins).
I was chatting with one of the managers, and he told me that their usual 20% off coupon is good even against that $349.99 sale price. :good2:
:hi: Hmmmmm, :mail1: $349.99, less 20% = a bloody good deal at only $279.99!!! :yahoo:
John.
I love mine. One of the first things I built when I decided to get a motorcycle.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/25_05_11_09_1_57_31.jpeg)
hi ray, mines a bit messy at the minute, only takes a while to become a table,
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/IMG_7919_zps6c20dafd.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/IMG_7919_zps6c20dafd.jpg.html)
Wish I had a garage to put one in! My bike sits on paddock stands whilst I sit on the floor getting farmer Giles! :ireful:
Quote from: ken65 on May 20, 2013, 05:29:06 PM
hi ray, mines a bit messy at the minute, only takes a while to become a table,
I just cleaned up the shed Ken, got sick of wondering where all the tools were. But yep, what I do now is leave the table in the same spot, and ride the bike straight up onto it till I go out next time, lol .
as messy as my work area is Ray, i can usually find anything i need, tools, parts ,etc, as I'm mucking around with the bikes more or less everyday i find it quicker to just leave most things out, although yesterday i spent 15 minutes looking for my 10 mm socket and Ive got 3 sets, a problem I'm having lately and I'm not sure if its age related but everything seems camouflaged as well, glasses would most likely help a bit. :smile:
I see that Aerostich has their workstand on sale. :biggrin:
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu159/rktmanfj/sl20130523_zpsdf2366a5.jpg)
FWIW, there is a coupon in the June '13 issue of Cycle World for $299. My local HF dealer will take a 20% coupon even against that price. Good thru 9/1/13.
Quote from: not a lib on April 27, 2013, 05:36:19 PM
Quote from: Dads_FJ on April 22, 2013, 02:12:47 PM
They keep getting cheaper, only $349.99. I have this one and love it. http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-motorcycle-lift-68892-8495.html)
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/campsimonette/stand_zpsd7e829d5.jpg) (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/campsimonette/media/stand_zpsd7e829d5.jpg.html)
Brand new Harbor Freight just opened last week about 10 minutes away from here (now have three within 30 mins).
I was chatting with one of the managers, and he told me that their usual 20% off coupon is good even against that $349.99 sale price. :good2:
Got a nice shiny new HF gift card, a birthday present from my fiancee.
She saw the size of the crate the lift comes in. :shok:
I got one a few weeks ago, they loaded it in the van with a fork lift. I managed to get it unloaded by myself, but it took some ingenuity....
that's one heavy SOB.
Got it for $300 + tax, found a coupon in the sunday paper... Heck of a deal!
How many people have the original Handy lift? Probably not many as they were always expensive ( owning a bike shop was all the justification I needed). Almost 25 years later it works perfectly.
Quote from: pdxfj on April 23, 2013, 04:40:08 PM
I've got one of the Harbor Freight tables as well. Best $ I've spent so far. My back is sooooo much happier! Now only if my garage was still that clean.. :mad:
(http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae130/pdxfj/Misc%20Stuff/lift.jpg)
Did your HF lift come with that wheel chock?
As it turned out, they would NOT take the 20% off coupon against a $299 sale, but for $317 all in, it's pretty hard to beat. :i_am_so_happy:
(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu159/rktmanfj/20130629_195440_zpsccfab080.jpg)
Works well, nice XT!
Quote from: X-Ray on June 29, 2013, 07:36:54 PM
Works well, nice XT!
Thanks, it will be again soon, I hope. It only has 8k miles.
I think it has a broken ring.
Also needs a carb in place of the shop rag... former gf threw out 'a small container of old parts'. They were, of course, the innards to the XT pumper carb. :mad: