Strongarm Lift

[BaZa ®]

Originally Posted by makfai

Don't know what the Clark one is like ........

I don't like seeing your side stand up while the bike is lifted.



Remember if the hydraulics fail or you lower the bike ALWAYS have the side stand out!

Here is my Clarke's Machine Mart:

Click on photo to see the web page at Machine Mart:

[banquo]

Originally Posted by makfai

It is more stable than the Americana2 at a low height which has an alarming tilt (see photo below) unless you raise the lift to a height where the lifting arms are locked by the support arms. I can't use it with confidence at low level and the makers say the supporting arms should be used.

Don't know what the Clark one is like

The Clarke has exactly the same problems at low levels, and relies only on the (poor and Chinese) hydraulics if below the loocking bar range (and the instructions are quite clear about that). If you search, you will find the incident where banquo famously dropped his bike off it for just that reason

If the Strongarm works for you, good on you...

[makfai]

Originally Posted by BaZa ®

I don't like seeing your side stand up while the bike is lifted. Remember if the hydraulics fail or you lower the bike ALWAYS have the side stand out!]

I agree with you but because of the design of the Dyna Low and the Americana2 the lift will not fit under the frame on the stand side unless the jiffy stand is raised off the ground.

The Americana 2 (as you can see from the picture) has a cross member at the front (same as the Clark except that the Americana 2 has places for tie-downs). This cross member is positioned 'ahead' of the lifting arms so it strikes the jiffystand before the lifting arms can be positioned under the frame on the stand's side.

That is one reason why it always takes two people for me to use this stand.

If you look at page 808 of the HD catalogue http://www.guernseyharleydavidson.co...in_792-835.pdf you will see that the official HD stand (price £316.76) has a front cross-member which is set further back - this enables the HD lift to be used with the stand down.

This is why, as I say, I have found the Strongarm more convenient for day-to-day use (I can use it on my own) but it doesn't raise it high enough for some more 'robust' workshop jobs.

[DynaLondoner]

Originally Posted by makfai

Has anyone used one of these?
Harley Davidson Motorcycle Lift | Strong Arm

I have got a 2007 HD Dyna Low rider and wonder if this would be of any use for when I just wanted to clean-up the wheels.

I initially bought the Americana lift for my '99 FXD but found that it needed modifying to be of any use due to the cross bars fouling the sump ..... I then found a variation of the strongarm lift you mention above but with twin bars:

M & P - Product Information for 502841

The bars are adjustable for both width and height. This works perfectly for my Dyna with the lifting bar easily clearing the panniers, although it still requires you to lift it with the side stand up. So it's still a 2 person job - also no hydraulics to fail.

More info and better pictures can be found on the manufacturers website:

http://www.telefix-products.de/produkte/catalogue.pdf

Hope that helps!

I've used an Americana 2 on both my old Road King and my current Electra Glide. It's a one man operation, stable enough in locked high position with a ratchet strap for support to get both wheels out at the same time for a tyre change yesterday (Dunlops out, Venoms on) prior to my Bun Burner next weekend.

But was that a tough job getting the back wheel in by myself I think I used anger and brute force in the end, must use a trolly jack next time

David

[Gus]

Originally Posted by makfai

Because the sump is below the level of the frame you have to use 4 adaptors (to be bought from HD) on the frame and then you have to position the lifting arms under these adaptors.

Anyone know anything about these? I went in to the Birmingham dealership today and asked, and the mechanic looked at me as if I had 2 heads! They say they don't know anything about them.
Failing this, anyone else bodged a good work around?

[Roy]

Hi
I use the strongarm list which is in the 1st post.

Its good for popping wheels off to change tyres. The only prob on my streetbob is I need to pop a paving slab under the strong arm to give it a tad more lift to enable the rear wheel to clear the swing arm and rear mudguard when removing it for a tyre change.

Else, it was a relatively cheap and easy to use product. Can be used with the sidestand down and because of the design can easily miss the sump. Also good for lifting the bike enough to clean wheels.

I like it.

[Menace]

I used timber spacers scewed to runners, sorry I can't remember thickness.

[Roy]

On a kind of related subject, does anyone know of anything that will help swing the back end around. We have a tight gravel drive, and inching my bike back and forwards is a tad awkward. Thinking of making something that I can push my back wheel onto and swing it around, however equally interested if there is something out there that may help.

?? Strong arm link I was referring to in last post .. Harley Davidson Motorcycle Lift | Strong Arm ??

[Penfold]

You could use a Tailswinger, it can be got from here.

Another item that could be used is a Bike mover

The problem is that I don't think any will work on a gravel drive. Maybe a few concrete slabs in an area of your drive may be useful!