Motorcycle Lift

I'm just contemplating a design for a motorcycle lift.

There will be a number of sliding parts but the lifting element will be a threaded rod with a coupler moving along the rod which will be rotated.

The rod sizes I can choose from are M14, M16, M18, M20 and M20

My question relates to the tensile strength (or maybe the safe working load) of such a device.

Assuming I am lifting a 250Kg bike I expect there would have to be a safety factor of maybe 3x or 4x the load (250Kg)

Anybody case to offer some suggestions (Oooh, that's a very open ended question which I may regret asking)

#tag built his own - he may be able to offer inspiration!

Is this any good to you?
http://www.totallyamaha.com/snowmobiles/aaTECH/SledLift/Sledlift1.jpg

When making mine I considered a couple of ways as you no doubt have.

Being a cheap bastard the "possibilities" usually revolve around what's lying in a corner of the shed.

1st was lifting with threaded rod which is where your at. 2nd was via a spare ATV winch that was just sitting there looking at me.

I opted for the 25 year old floor jack that only got very occasional use because it was by far the simplest method:

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And all of that doesn't help at all with your original question 

for under $400 you can get these


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-T-REX-Motorcycle-Lift-Bike-Stand-Lifter-Hydraulic-Jack-Hoist-Motorbike-Table-/131355886676

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Moto-Max-500KG-Commercial-Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Lift-/272017008031

Everything changes, eh.

When I made mine equivalent models to those were $800 - $1000.

At less than $400 I would have had one of those.

Hi Guys,

Being a bit different to the norm (that's what the Missus thinks anyway ) I have decided to go for a motorcycle lift that is not the table type.

Here is a link to something like what I have in mind but not quite the same. http://www.on-bike.com/motorcycle-lift-eazyrizer-big-blue

My original question regarding threaded rod came about after I looked at some drawings of the above and noted they were using M14 threaded rod.

My "gut feeling" is that this would be much too weak and I have been considering M20 for my design.

Having said that, they have pics of their lift supporting Harleys, Rocket 3 and even a trike.

M20 rod is only $10/metre so regardless I would rather "over engineer" it than have my bike a crumpled mess on the floor.

Thanks for the responses so far. Any further thoughts?

Chook wrote:for under $400 you can get these


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-T-REX-Motorcycle-Lift-Bike-Stand-Lifter-Hydraulic-Jack-Hoist-Motorbike-Table-/131355886676

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Moto-Max-500KG-Commercial-Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Lift-/272017008031

Check the postage out OUCH

But if you go to the Sydney warehouse you can pick it up yourself -------- for a $19 handling fee

Mine was $500 incl. freight from eBay.  Assembly was rough (i.e. incorrect) and I would advise anyone to give it a thorough check before first use; but does work a treat.  If anyone is interested I will post some piccies.

Jimcoleman wrote:

Chook wrote:for under $400 you can get these


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-T-REX-Motorcycle-Lift-Bike-Stand-Lifter-Hydraulic-Jack-Hoist-Motorbike-Table-/131355886676

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Moto-Max-500KG-Commercial-Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Lift-/272017008031

Check the postage out OUCH

For the T-rex it worked out at $131 to my postcode. I don't consider that too bad considering the size of it. $510 total

BanditDave wrote:

My original question regarding threaded rod came about after I looked at some drawings of the above and noted they were using M14 threaded rod.

My "gut feeling" is that this would be much too weak and I have been considering M20 for my design.

Having said that, they have pics of their lift supporting Harleys, Rocket 3 and even a trike.

M20 rod is only $10/metre so regardless I would rather "over engineer" it than have my bike a crumpled mess on the floor.

Thanks for the responses so far.     Any further thoughts?

I would think you would need either a acme or square thread for a hoist

Thanks Chook and others.

I'm not trying to pinch the Oz-Bike design as I have a few ideas of my own.

Just looking at the assembly diagrams for the above on their web site it is obvious they are using a threaded rod of 14mm diameter although the thread type is unknown to me.

My "gut feeling" is if I was to use M20 rod that it would be a fairly "safe" decision. I also found that United Fasteners (plus lots of other bolt shops) sell M20 in both 2.5mm pitch (standard) and 1.5mm (fine pitch). I feel that the fine pitch would be easier to turn as 1 revolution is only moving 1.5mm and not 2.5mm and thus my motor requirements would be less.