Advice Motorbike Lift?

Looking into buying a motorbike lift and would value any advice and/or recommendations.

This is what I've found so far that is within my price range.

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$150 (Waiting on shipping cost)

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$120 (Waiting on shipping cost)

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$200 plus $21.80 shipping (Have emailed to check the shipping cost seems too low)

One I can't afford but wish I could.

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$595 plus $125 shipping (In Hallam Vic if anyone else is interested)

Thanks in advance for any response.

Howdy SK,

I have the one in the second photo.
We used to use it on SWMBO's Honda Shadow - worked really well.
You will have to make up some adaptors to use it with the Bandit, maybe some hardwood blocks as the bike exhaust is the lowest point and you need the jack to support the frame.
I personally wouldn't skimp on this as the bike needs to be held firmly. The jack came with a ratchet strap but I consider two would be better.

I recall purchasing the lift from Repco for around $150

Hey, Supercheap have them for sale on their website $109 - I was ripped off  

If I was looking to buy I'd buy the one at the bottom

Thanks for the tip BD on Super Cheap (SC). If my local store has it I can avoid shipping cost and be able to use it for this oil pan job. I'm guessing I can get an extra strap at SC and get a pair of hardwood blocks cut at Bunnings.

I would take the last one too but as said way above my current budget. Of course if you want to go halves on it MM I'd let you use it whenever you were in Brisbane mate.

SolomonKane wrote:Thanks for the tip BD on Super Cheap (SC). If my local store has it I can avoid shipping cost and be able to use it for this oil pan job. I'm guessing I can get an extra strap at SC and get a pair of hardwood blocks cut at Bunnings.

I would take the last one too but as said way above my current budget. Of course if you want to go halves on it MM I'd let you use it whenever you were in Brisbane mate.

Hmmm, tempting but I don't think I get my fair share of use out of it........

I reckon getting the oil pan off with the lift, blocks and hold down straps in place could be more of a challenge than what I would enjoy.


For other tasks it would probably be fine.

My thinking is that if I can get the bike up off the ground it might well be easier to locate those undone bolts if they indeed do exist. Then lower her back to the ground to remove the pan.

However, not buying it just for this one job of course. I was previously considering getting one before the problem with the sump plug.

Check out this video for J&S Jacks. Nice bit of marketing but had to laugh when he straddled the bike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fim0yZYgdds

I thought that was a pretty cool jack UNTIL I SAW THIS ONE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hIWPK98n48

Brilliant idea! Easy to work around under the bike, and the ability to tilt is fantastic! But the price is high, about $825 based on today's exchange rate: UK manufacturer.

I agree with BanditDave, the jack will need to be placed under the sump area as it would be the central balance point of the bike. Will make it near impossible to remove the sump even with the bolts out. I would just lay on the ground with the bike on the centre stand to do it.

Howdy SK,

Not trying to dampen your enthusiasm but I have just been having a close look at the underside of the bike and I reckon fabricating some adaptors to support the frame under the engine would be rather challenging. The only real jacking points I can see are through the front and back axles and under the centre stand

Just thinking outside of the square
If you just need a bit better access to the underside for the oil pan task, you might consider laying the bike over at an angle onto a couple of bed mattresses or some sort of household furniture. Probably a $20 purchase from the Salvo Shop which you can throw away when the job is complete.

The $500+ bike lift is probably the more sensible/safe way to do the job, pity about the price.

Keep smiling    

Some good lateral thinking here.  Love the mattress idea.

Do charity shops still sell used mattresses? I do know that when a few years back I offered a mattress to charities they all said they weren't interested.

I'll cast around and see what I can find online.

How about a pair of paddock stands:



The motor area is completely clear of obstructions.  A pair would be pretty cheap, I think I paid less than $80 for my one.

Paddock stands as above would be my choice , sturdy and good clearance off ground

I would like the work bench, But would take up to much room in the shed.
IF? The Abba Sky Lift is as good as it looks, Then it would be the best of both worlds.

But mate, I just drop the oil pan in about 20mins with the bike on the center stand. that with out the Headers, Radiator & the radiator hoses semi removed. They run under & are bolted to the sump.
If ya looking for a bit more room, Maybe try using something like a 25-50mm piece of timber under the center stand.
Test that the bike is stable before let it go tho!!!!

Worked my way around the oil pan with my fingers while referencing a photocopy of the Haynes' page. Found 2 additional bolts, so the total is 16. The pan has dropped but won't be able to get it out unless I undo some of the pipes and the headers. Will have a go at that tomorrow.

SolomonKane wrote:Worked my way around the oil pan with my fingers while referencing a photocopy of the Haynes' page. Found 2 additional bolts, so the total is 16. The pan has dropped but won't be able to get it out unless I undo some of the pipes and the headers. Will have a go at that tomorrow.

Yeah mate, With the radiator out of the road, It don't take long to get the headers off. 
The only real pain is taking the 02 sensor off before you fully remove the headers.
No need to take the hoses all the way off. Just enough to pull them out of the road.
You can only get one bolt off that bracket that holds the hoses to the sump.
So I just bent it down a bit on one side to get the hoses out.
I just hit the sump with my palm and off it come.

It's not a hard job mate, Just take your time and keep all the bits and bolts in something.