Motorcycle engine stand

[Scousex79]

Hi folks, I've just joined, I'm looking to make a few things to make my life easier, a motorcycle bandit 1200 dohc4 engine stand and a motorcycle lift. I am UK based I've just purchased a gasless mig welder but the last time I welded was 20 year ago so a bit of practice is needed before I go crazy. Any help with these two items would be great. Thanks

[olderdan]

Hi Scousex79
For engine stands I have a sturdy metal swivel chair base with a plywood top and just use pieces of handy angle for whatever motor I am working on, easily altered to suit.
As for motorcycle lift benches I have been intending to build one myself as I am getting older, but pricing the materials would cost 2 thirds of buying a commercial one, and that is using a car jack which I already have. I still would like to make one if I can find enough scrap material.I am thinking that I can buy one for just over £300 use it for as long as I have left and sell it for half I will have a cheaper deal than making one.
So far I have been using a wheeled bench which is moved under an electric hoist for a lifting and landing procedure.
There are a few good lift designs already posted here.

[martink]

Hi folks, I've just joined, I'm looking to make a few things to make my life easier, a motorcycle bandit 1200 dohc4 engine stand and a motorcycle lift. I am UK based I've just purchased a gasless mig welder but the last time I welded was 20 year ago so a bit of practice is needed before I go crazy. Any help with these two items would be great. Thanks

Can't help you with a lift, I bought one, but I just made a Bandit engine stand. I'll see if I can find the drawing tomorrow.

[thirdbike]

It would be useful if you indicated what you expected of your M/C engine stand.
If all you needed from it was to hold the engine upright on the workbench to do a quick fix, then a simple and cheap design involves a couple of pieces of scrap wood to prop it upright which can then be thrown away when done - 2x6's, plywood with bolt or two or similar
On the other hand, I needed something that would allow me to completely disassemble and rebuild a couple of engines I was working on and do again in the future. In other words, the stand had to be adaptable to several engine mounting holes as well as allowing the main cases to be opened up. The stand had to be free standing holding the engine at work height but also able to position over the workbench. Moreover, the stand had to allow for the engine to be rotated for access to easier access to the side cover innards as well as being able to work on the underside with the engine completely upside down. As some of the rebuilds were done over several months while waiting for parts and time to work on it, the stand had casters allowing it roll out of the way. Many commercial designs are well designed but are more for the full time shops and builders and tie up the work bench whereas I need mine for other things beside exclusive bike repair use. When done, the stand also comes apart for more easy storage as space is at a premium unless, again, one has the luxury of an exclusive bike repair shop. I couldn't find anything that met all these needs so I incorporated what I could find and tinkered with the rest.
If this is of interest to you and you haven't found what you are looking for, let me know and I'll try and post the build with some pictures when I get back home later next week.
As for a full table lift, I have to concur with the previous poster. By the time you get all the parts and pieces, cost savings are minimal at best.

[martink]

I can't find my drawings for the stand, I probably got rid of them when the stand was finished. However, among my emails, I still have the original photos I was sent with some dimensions on them. If you PM me your email address, I'll send them.
It's unlikely I'll own another bike, otherwise I would have built a universal engine stand along the lines of this one on Google images. 2nd line near the middle. https://goo.gl/B4x4Mg

[Jon]

Ideas:

Homemade Motorcycle Lifts, Stands, and Dollies - HomemadeTools.net
Homemade Motorcycle Engine Tools - HomemadeTools.net

[Scousex79]

Hi Scousex79
For engine stands I have a sturdy metal swivel chair base with a plywood top and just use pieces of handy angle for whatever motor I am working on, easily altered to suit.
As for motorcycle lift benches I have been intending to build one myself as I am getting older, but pricing the materials would cost 2 thirds of buying a commercial one, and that is using a car jack which I already have. I still would like to make one if I can find enough scrap material.I am thinking that I can buy one for just over £300 use it for as long as I have left and sell it for half I will have a cheaper deal than making one.
So far I have been using a wheeled bench which is moved under an electric hoist for a lifting and landing procedure.
There are a few good lift designs already posted here.

A swivel chair is a great idea �� thanks

[Scousex79]

Yes it's needed to work on various parts of the engine not just to hold it in place.

[hilerioal@outlook.com]

Good morning, Harbor freight sells a very nice cycle lift . There are coupons & sale times that allows you to purchase one for $299.00. I have several that I bought
at that price. you should view Harborfreight.com. The coupons can also be found in magazines & Sunday flyers. Good Luck AL