Motorcycle Mods and Maintenance

DIY Motorcycle Lift: 8 Ideas to try out

There are plenty of motorcycle lifts that can be purchased online these days, but why would you do this if you can make a much better one yourself. There are countless DIY projects out there you could tackle, after which you end up with the best motorcycle lift for your individual needs.

With thousands of potential options, it can be difficult to choose a DIY motorcycle lift project to get you started. To give you some inspiration, we have listed some of the best DIY motorcycle lifts we found online.

8 Awesome DIY motorcycle lifts

1. The DIY Motorcycle Lift Table Made From Old Shop Shelves

One of the most original options we encountered at Café Racer Garage. The motorcycle lift table was made with some really affordable materials, including some old shop shelves, and a cheap store-bought lift. So, if you are quite handy, you can attempt to tackle this project.

When using this particular idea, we recommend choosing some sturdy shelves for the job. After all, the motorcycle lift table will need to carry and lift a considerable amount of weight. Also, always make sure you cover the top of the table with some appropriate rubber covering, as this will prevent scratches and other damage to your motorcycle.

2. The Motorcycle Storage Lift

When you need to store your motorcycle in an already full garage, you certainly need to check the various ideas at Nyreeleather.com. On this page, you will find some original uses for DIY motorcycle lifts; this includes them being used for motorcycle storage.

If you have cars as well as an expensive motorcycle, you are in the right place at Nyreeleather. The website provides countless ideas for car storage as well, so if you want to make your garage more efficient with DIY motorcycle lifts, this is the place to be.

3. The Wooden Scissor Lift

Not that handy with metal, but quite decent at woodworking? If so, Woodworkjunkie.com provides some excellent ideas. One of their best is a scissor lift, capable of lifting substantial amounts of weight and minimal cost required.

Of course, the design of this wooden lift requires a little additional consideration. When looking at the plans on the website, you will notice that they are made for a small scissor lift. As such, it is important to adjust the measurements to cater for a motorcycle and its weight; this also means considering wood thickness as well as the size of the screws and bolts used in the design.

4. The Welded Motorcycle Lift

Those who do not mind a little welding here and there could consider the welded motorcycle lift design from Instructables.com. With this option, you will have a durable motorcycle lift for years to come.

We must mention that the welded motorcycle lift does require some skill. If you are relatively new at welding or modular construction as a whole, then it could be a good idea to get some practice before you start to tackle this particular project.

The raw materials required for this motorcycle lift are relatively affordable. Most of them can be obtained from the local DIY store, but you could even recycle some steel and wood if you have some laying around.

5. The Homemade Motorcycle Lift Table From Paso

When you are not that brilliant at following plans to make your own motorcycle lift, you can follow a video tutorial from Paso instead. Creating a motorcycle lift from scratch can be difficult, but a video tutorial certainly makes things a lot easier.

The Paso motorcycle lift design requires a little bit of skill and overall handiness. You will need to do some minor drilling and welding. Aside from that, you only really need to follow the video instructions to get your lift table done.

6. Wooden Motorcycle Lift Under $20

Wooden motorcycle lifts can be considerably cheaper than the steel versions, so you will find lots of different ideas for wooden motorcycle lifts these days. If you are looking for a video tutorial to follow as well as a cheap motorcycle lift to build, then this version from Vegas RoManiac could be exactly what you need.

While we did not think it was possible to build a motorcycle lift for less than $20, Vegas RoManiac proved us wrong in a major fashion. Not only is the design quite intricate for the low build cost, it is surprisingly sturdy and durable too.

7. The Basic DIY Motorcycle Lift For Beginners

Beginners may believe they cannot make a motorcycle lift from scratch. However, this would be a wrong assumption. There are plenty of motorcycle lift designs online that are easy to build for beginners. One of them can be found at floorjackscenter.com.

The design at Floorjackscenter is very easy to follow and the raw materials required very affordable. After all, the majority of this motorcycle lift is built with plywood. Apart from some screws and a wheel chock, you need very little to make this outstanding yet simple motorcycle lift.

8. Building Your Motorcycle Lift With Plans

Those who prefer to follow plans to build a motorcycle lift can find some really good options at Harley-biker-diy.co.uk. The beauty about these plans are the ability to customize your own motorcycle lift. So, no matter the size or the capacity you need, these plans make a lot possible.

The website does not only provide you with great ideas, it includes a detailed plan for a motorcycle table lift. As the table lift is one of the most popular options out there, this plan will provide you with one for a minimal investment in terms of money. While you will have to make some effort to make one yourself, the result is more than worth it.

What Do I Need To Think About When Building My Own Motorcycle Lift?

When building your own motorcycle lift, there are some things to take into consideration. To ensure you have all your bases covered, here is a small overview of the most important factors.

Budget

Your budget can influence the materials you use for the motorcycle lift. If budget is a problem, it is always best to see if you can obtain some of the materials through recycling or some other means. Overall, wood can be more affordable to build than steel.

Weight capacity

The lift you make should be able to lift your motorcycle and hold onto it without any problems. So, determining the weight of your motorcycle before you build a lift is an absolute essential.

Available space

When you have little room for a lift in your garage, then you need to take this into consideration for the lift. Look at more compact or folding designs to ensure it fits in your garage.

Fix A Flat Vs Slime: Which is better and when to use it

By Teddy

Those who encountered a flat tire before already know the products Fix a Flat and Slime. But what are the advantages of these tire sealants? And should you use one instead of the other? To find out, read through our detailed guide below.

How Does Fix A Flat Work?

Fix a Flat is a product that provides a quick fix for a flat tire. If you are out on the road and need to make an urgent appointment, nothing is worse than a flat tire. However, you can find a quick temporary solution with Fix a Flat.

The Fix a Flat product comes in a special can. It basically seals the hole in your tire and inflates the tire again at the same time; this means you can quickly fix a tire in the middle of nowhere with little knowledge. No need for special tools or a spare tire, this can fix everything in minimal time.

One of the interesting aspects of this product is that it is an eco-friendly product. By increasing the lifespan of your tire, you keep your old tires from the landfill. On top of that, the can is completely recyclable, which means it can go in your regular recycling bin.

As is the case with all tire sealants, we must mention that this product is only a temporary solution. Getting your tire fixed professionally or even replacing it is always the better option.

How Does Slime Tire Sealant Work?

Slime tire sealant works quite similar to Fix a Flat, although the product claims to be able to fix tire punctures repeatedly for up to two years. That being said, the product warning does state that it is only suitable for vehicles that do not go on the highway. So, if you use this product and travel on the highway regularly, you should get your tire replaced as soon as possible.

Like Fix a Flat, Slime is a product that is environmentally friendly. It is non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and water soluble. The product does not contain any aerosol either, which makes it an eco-friendly choice.

Slime can be used on almost all tires. It is suitable for bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, and ATVs. However, the amount of the product used for each respective tire can differ according to the tire type.

So, Which Is Best?

It is difficult to determine the best product between the two, especially when they have such similar functionalities. That being said, Fix a Flat seems to be easier to use and is therefore recommended for those who want a quick fix on the road.

If you are looking for something that can last a little longer before you have to repair the tire, then Slime may provide the better solution.

When Should I Use Tire Sealant?

The usefulness of tire sealant and its applications has been a widely discussed subject. To ensure you are fully informed, here are the pros of tire sealant.

Quick solution

There is no denying that a tire sealant can provide a solution for a puncture in minimal time. If you are not able to change a tire for whatever reason, a sealant can be just the product to save your trip.

Budget friendly

Purchasing new tires can be quite costly, so a tire sealant can buy you some time. If you do not have the money for brand-new tires, then use the sealant until you are able to afford them.

Puncture prevention

There is some research that suggests that sealant can prevent tire punctures. If you often travel along difficult and harsh road surfaces, then a tire sealant could increase the lifespan of your existing tires. While it is not a permanent solution for tire punctures, it could decrease the cost of having to acquire new tires over the course of time.

When Shouldn’t I Use Tire Sealant?

Tire sealants have a number of pros and cons. Now, it is time to look at the potential disadvantages. So, if you are unsure if you will use a sealant, be sure to read through both for additional insight.

Tire damage

When you use tire sealant for the first time, it is vital to do your research and read the instructions accompanying the product very carefully. After all, incorrect use of the tire sealant could actually damage your tires.

The inner working of tire sealant is the very thing that could damage the tire. When you use sealant, it will block the puncture. However, the sealant must heat up in order to perform its function. If the sealant does not warm up fast, it could lead to the sealant piling up in the tire and cause problems such as wheel misalignment. In addition to that, it can have an impact on tire pressure if used incorrectly.

Corrosion

Some sealants can cause your wheels to corrode, and this will cost you a lot more than a simple tire replacement. This problem is caused by leaking tire sealant, which can be caused by an inferior product or by incorrect use of the sealant in question.

Future repair problems

Depending on the type of tire sealant you use; your mechanic may refuse fixing the wheel if you have used a certain sealant. There are tire sealants out there that contain harsh chemicals, which is more difficult to work with for your mechanic.

In these cases, your mechanic may advise you get a completely new tire. If you do want to use a sealant in an emergency, call your local garage and inform about the sealants that are safe for you to use.

Pros and cons Of Tire Sealant

Tire sealant has as much benefits as it has disadvantages, so you should always use it carefully. However, if you consider the tips we have given in this article, you should be able to use tire sealant safely when an emergency does occur. Still, we always recommend getting your tire fixed permanently as soon as possible.

O ring chain vs non-o ring: Differences for your motorcycle

By Teddy

The movement of a motorcycle depends on the propulsion system. Manufacturers of the different brands and models available in the market rely on the chain system to help transfer power from the engine and front wheel to the rear.

Other than the chain, shafts and belts are the other two methods employed. Of the three ways available, chains are the most powerful and efficient medium, especially for motorcycles. There are two types of chains available: the O-ring chains and the non-O-ring ones also referred to as standard chains.

The standard chain has been around for a long time, while the O-ring one is a contemporary and improved version of the former. The non-O-ring chain is standard in bicycles and motorbikes that are used in dirt-filled places. Some of the differences between these two are:

Chain anatomy

These two types of chains share the same design, but the O-ring design has extra features than the standard ring. What they have in common includes rollers, plates, and pins, inner and outer links. Rubber O-rings are an addition that differentiates the two chains.

The rubber rings added on the O ring chains has been criticized for not only adding bulk but for increasing friction in the movement of the chain as well. The drag created by the same translates to less horsepower to the rear wheel. The O ring chain power loss is a disadvantage that riders ought to be aware of when picking it.

Size

The anatomy of the O-ring chain makes it heavier than the standard one. The rubber rings added to make the chain bulkier. One has to be keen on the type of motorbike that they have to determine which chain type will be compatible with it.

The use of the bike and destinations that one has in mind are also essential elements to consider regarding the size of the chain. Also, one can choose the O ring chains that are designed to reduce the friction that will be generated form the assortments available from the different brands available in the market.

Cost

The standard chain costs three times less than the O-ring chain. This is because the craft put into developing the O-rings coupled with the additional materials necessitate a higher price than the normal one.

The overall cost of non O ring chain maintenance, repair, and replacements must be considered and compared to that of the standard chain. While the non O ring chain is cheaper, it doesn’t have a longer lifespan than the O ring chain.

Replacements required may be regular which in the long run may end up being pricier than the cost of getting an O ring chain.

Maintenance

Maintaining the two chains requires one to have an understanding of how they work and their anatomy to establish a maintenance routine. Lubrication is among the first things that one should think about regarding chain care.

The O-ring chain comes with industrial grease sealed in the parts; hence, it lasts longer without needing to be lubricated. The non O ring chains, on the other hand, require regular oiling since all the parts are exposed and there are no rubber rings to help keep the chain oiled for an extended period.

Another aspect that one ought to have in mind regarding the care of chains is proper use. The design of the O ring and standard chain dictate what conditions are favorable for each. The structure of the O ring allows it to collect and store mud, water, and dirt in between the different parts.

The anatomy of the standard chain makes it ideal to be used in dirt-filled locations. The O ring type is recommended for use in the streets, but one is not limited to this. When using it, off-road cleaning must be done with utmost care as well as lubrication. The standard chain is easy to clean hence can be used in any environment without having to worry about dirt build-up.

Longevity

Between the two, O ring chains last longer than the non O ring ones. The standard chain stretches, wears, and tears quickly while the O ring is designed to withstand pre-mature stretching.

The lubrication layers that the O ring chain allows and locks in place go a long way in ensuring that the chain stays in good condition for a long time. Grease keeps the dirt and water from having direct contact with the material used to make the chain hence a longer life span.

Final Remarks

The O ring sealed chain vs. shaft analysis indicates that the latter is more efficient than the former even costing less in care and replacement. It is an option than one might consider when buying a motorcycle.

Before replacing a chain in a motorbike, one has to check the manufacturer’s directive on how and when it is necessary to make a swap. Using the internet and other resources, research on the various variations offered by different brands to get a chain that suits one’s needs.