Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

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JohnnyNumbers
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Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#1

Post by JohnnyNumbers »

I've been looking at buying a motorcycle jack to use on my Valkyrie and Goldwing. I noticed there are some guys that have the highlift motorcycle jack from Harbor Freight. I was wondering what the recommendations were on that lift, buy or not.

Thanks,

John
John

1976 Honda GL1000 LTD
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5speed
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#2

Post by 5speed »

the biggest complaint I've read about them is the wheel chock is flimsy and there are no tie down spots for ratchet straps.
I plan on buying one from Princess Auto..the Canadian version of harbour freight.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#3

Post by desertrefugee »

You probably don’t want to hear it from me, John, but I consider mine to be one of the best motorcycle related accessories I’ve ever purchased. I use it constantly. And the observation above about the wheel chock that comes with it is absolutely correct. I remedied that problem literally the day after I brought it home. I already had a floor chock from, you guessed it – Harbor freight, so I drilled holes and bolted that sucker on. Never looked back. Highly recommended… And they go on sale pretty often. Cheap as heck for what you get. Who needs to pay a grand?

By the way, they got some bad press early on, but that design flaw was fixed quite a number of years ago. Had to do with the retaining bar that holds the table up.
E5AA8461-B230-4E05-B8FA-73CE65DBDD48.jpeg
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#4

Post by JohnnyNumbers »

Hi 5speed. I think you're referring to the roll on motorcycle lift. I have that lift and you're correct. I upgraded the wheel chock and drilled holes on both sides of table and added u-bolts as my tie down spots. I like the lift but I'm trying to make room in my garage so I'm considering selling my roll-on lift and buying a high lift motorcycle jack.

The roll on lift is a good lift. I think you'll like it.

Regards,

John
John

1976 Honda GL1000 LTD
1999 Honda Valkyrie Tourer
2001 Kawasaki ZRX 1200R
JohnnyNumbers
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#5

Post by JohnnyNumbers »

Hi Darrell. I have same lift and it works great. I like your wheel chock more than mine! Harbor Freight has a highlift motorcycle jack that I thought would good for the Valkyrie. We need to talk. I'm calling you!
John

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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#6

Post by 5speed »

JohnnyNumbers wrote:Hi 5speed. I think you're referring to the roll on motorcycle lift. I have that lift and you're correct. I upgraded the wheel chock and drilled holes on both sides of table and added u-bolts as my tie down spots. I like the lift but I'm trying to make room in my garage so I'm considering selling my roll-on lift and buying a high lift motorcycle jack.

The roll on lift is a good lift. I think you'll like it.

Regards,

John
tks John. I need to build my addition onto my shed first. It will be my small motorcycle shop..
I have a 2 car garage and I can't move without tripping over a bike. :(
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#7

Post by Track T 2411 »

I have the larin motorcycle jack that looks very similar to the central hydraulics unit I googled. My jack is obviously not as stable as a table type lift, but works well. I do use a few wood spacers rather than lifting the wing using the headers. One thing I've noticed, some jacks have the tie down points on the upper rails, which allows you to keep the bike tied down when you are raising and lowering it; others have the tie downs on the base, which might be a bit more stable, but won't allow you to raise the bike without removing the tie downs. My 2 cents...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

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Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#8

Post by 5speed »

Track T 2411 wrote:I have the larin motorcycle jack that looks very similar to the central hydraulics unit I googled. My jack is obviously not as stable as a table type lift, but works well. I do use a few wood spacers rather than lifting the wing using the headers. One thing I've noticed, some jacks have the tie down points on the upper rails, which allows you to keep the bike tied down when you are raising and lowering it; others have the tie downs on the base, which might be a bit more stable, but won't allow you to raise the bike without removing the tie downs. My 2 cents...
I have the Canadian Tire version of that and my tie down loops are on the base..which I prefer. I use ratchet straps so it isn't difficult to loosen them to raise it.
I generally put it up all the way when I use it anyway.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
JohnnyNumbers
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#9

Post by JohnnyNumbers »

Here's a picture of the lift I'm considering.
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John

1976 Honda GL1000 LTD
1999 Honda Valkyrie Tourer
2001 Kawasaki ZRX 1200R
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Track T 2411
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#10

Post by Track T 2411 »

I've never used that style, but to me it seems like it would limit access to one side of the bike. Even with my regular jack, it seems like it's always in the way for one thing or another...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
JohnnyNumbers
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#11

Post by JohnnyNumbers »

That thought did cross my mind. Which is why I bought my table lift. Muscling the wing onto the lift table is doable by myself. I'm just not to sure I want to try getting my Valkyrie on the lift table by myself. I measured the lift and the Valkyrie is just a few inches shorter that then table surface. Decisions....decisions!
John

1976 Honda GL1000 LTD
1999 Honda Valkyrie Tourer
2001 Kawasaki ZRX 1200R
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#12

Post by desertrefugee »

I guess you could approach the bike from the opposite side that you plan on wrenching. That's a reasonable work around for what looks like a decent lift.
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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#13

Post by robin1731 »

desertrefugee wrote:I guess you could approach the bike from the opposite side that you plan on wrenching. That's a reasonable work around for what looks like a decent lift.

Yes, but let's say you are changing the timing belts. The spark plugs. Anything that requires access to both sides frequently. I don't think that style jack is very practical myself. I have one of these, https://shop.bestreviews.com/products/c ... =o&d=c&dm=.

I rarely use it. Mostly when removing an engine from a GL.

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Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#14

Post by 5speed »

JohnnyNumbers wrote:That thought did cross my mind. Which is why I bought my table lift. Muscling the wing onto the lift table is doable by myself. I'm just not to sure I want to try getting my Valkyrie on the lift table by myself. I measured the lift and the Valkyrie is just a few inches shorter that then table surface. Decisions....decisions!
is your table lift wide enough to allow you to ride the valk up on it?
If you can and put it on the side stand you could use one of these type jacks to level it up so you can tie it down.
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1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
JohnnyNumbers
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Posts: 87
Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:12 pm
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Opinions on Central Hydraulics Motorcycle lift

#15

Post by JohnnyNumbers »

The table is too narrow to ride up the ramp but I have considered "walking" the bike up the ramp. The thought still gives me a bit of a pucker! :lol: I have a sizzor jack similar to the picture and it would definitely hold the Valk.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
John

1976 Honda GL1000 LTD
1999 Honda Valkyrie Tourer
2001 Kawasaki ZRX 1200R
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