An Inexpensive Motorcycle Table

Maintaining a motorcycle while it sits on a table is simply the best - so much more accessibilty and so much more comfort! The only drawback is the expense of commercial lift models, which run between two and four-thousand dollars.

My solution has been to raise up the bike with a chain hoist and then construct a homemade table beneath it. Although it lacks the convenience of a commercial lift it offers all the same benefits, and it only set me back around $200 for two sheets of 3/4 plywood, a couple of 2x4's, and 2 lengths of angle iron. (I already had a chain hoist, and my shop has a substantial overhead support for it).

I use steel cable with plastic covering and two cable fasteners between the hoist hook and the sidecar connection point on the bike frame.

The series of four photos below was actually shot as I took my bike off the table in springtime, but it's just the reverse of the same assembly routine.

The platform and the two mini-horses can be seen in the background of the first photo:

With the bike hoisted into the air I begin assembling the table:

Once the table is assembled I swing the bike around..

And set it down on the assembled table:

The hoist remains connected as the only necessary safety and that leaves complete access to every part of the motorcycle.

It takes 10 to 20 minutes to set up or take down - a small price to pay for an entire winter's worth of convenience while maintaining the bike.