Lifting the ST onto a work bench

Duporth

Duporth

Joined
Apr 24, 2017
Messages
415
Location
Australia
Bike
2022 BMW R1250RS
I have owned my ST1300 for 4 years and have learned a great deal about the machine from this forum. This has allowed me to do repairs and maintenance I would never have attempted without such help. Thank you ST colleagues!! I have generally enjoyed these tasks, but a downside has been sitting on the floor, resting on my knees, lying down, and hopping up and down for tools etc. Enough!! I say.

I have found a lift work bench I can justify buying but before I do I want to ask if, as an alternative (save me some $), it is feasible to raise the ST by an overhead lifting block
(I have one), and lower it onto a sturdy work bench. I would make provision for holding the ST down at 4 points once the bike is up but I am mainly concerned about damaging the ST during the lifting and lowering process.

Comments re feasibility of this idea, lifting points, or other would be appreciated.

Thank you, D
 
I'll just say it would be challenging, due to all the plastic surrounding it. There are no lifting points designed onto the bike, much less that are strong enough to support the weight of this behemoth.
The ONLY safe way which occurs to me is tieing it to a sturdy pallet and lifting by the four corners - at which point the pallet is in the way of the lift.
I crashed a single cylinder naked bike, and the tow company sent a hook and beam truck, rather than a flatbed truck to carry the bike from the scene. As a result of lifting the bike in a sling, they totalled it completely.
Then again, I have confessed to this forum several times prior, that I am not known for my creativity.
So my opinion would be no.
Roll it on the lift, THEN lift it, then lower it, roll it off the lift.
It's kinda how lifts are made to work.
 
It is all about rigging - the business of moving heavy things. The problem I see is the high center of gravity which would make attaching lifting straps down low an unstable situation. This would rule out the tip over guards* as lift points because the bike would try to tip over to one side. Your best bet would be to lift it by the steering head and a frame point aft, but placing a loop of strong webbing around these areas would be difficult. At the very least you would need a multi point lifting setup (there's that spreader bar again) that might require two lifting blocks (think boat travel lift).

A local work-on-your-bike-yourself shop that offers tools, camaraderie, and work space provides a wood work bench made out of 2x4's and plywood. They have portable ramps that hook onto the bench and two or three guys roll the bike up. I saw Harley's of all shapes and sizes up on these benches. This might offer a safer option.

I think a hydraulic lift bench is really the way to go. These are safer and offer other options - chocks, tie down points, and some have a removable plate aft for lowering the rear wheel when you take that off the bike. It is also handy to be able to adjust the height of the bike for different maintenance procedures - something that would not be possible with a fixed bench.

*A spreader bar would be needed to avoid the straps contacting the tank
 
When my ST1300 was new the dealer lifted it with a forklift. Lifting points were the rear grab rails and the tip over wing cages. Here are a couple of pictures. almost 19 years ago.

de03#006.jpgde03#007.jpg
 
ChucksKLRST said:
When my ST1300 was new the dealer lifted it with a forklift. Lifting points were the rear grab rails and the tip over wing cages.
Click to expand...
That looks like one fork serves as a spreader bar with a sling inboard and outboard for the two tip over bars, and the other fork the same for the rear grab rails. We have, in effect, four lifting points, to raise the bike. This would not be possible with a single lifting block since that does not have the inherent stability of the two firmly anchored forks on the lift truck.

I confess to being surprised the hand rails are strong enough to help lift the bike. The tip over bars must be carrying most of the weight.
 
If a lift is at all feasible in your budget, get it. The ability to vary the height quickly is wonderful.
Making life easier is the goal and doing all the rigging for hoisting the bike to a fixed height table is trading one kind of work for another.
But then there may be joy and left over gas money in accomplishing the hoist idea.
 
Is it feasible to make a ramp to this lift? With my lift, I bought side wings and a three part ramp.
 
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Honda's official instructions to dealers regarding the ST1300 include lifting it to remove it from the shipping crate. Lifting it is not the concern, scratching it is. Appropriate measures, such as a spreader bar/board, or other means are required to prevent the lifting slings from damaging the motorcycle due to compression or abrasion as the slings tighten up. If you are using a single lift point, you will need to adjust the length of the straps front vs rear to achieve a balance point that maintains the motorcycle more or less horizontal to the ground.

I can't say that I think that it would be a good idea to suspend it in the air for extended periods of time using this method but other than that, lifting with an overhead device is not a problem.

I think that you would be much better served, and much safer, getting yourself a lift table. Even one of the cheap Harbor Freight versions at a couple of hundred bucks is better than this method in my opinion, and is more versatile while working on the motorcycle.

Honda's official lifting procedure;
1626535810212.png
 
I get to be in charge of crews moving and lifting items that weight multiple thousands of lbs if not daily, then certainly weekly. A 700lb motorcycle is nothing. Two small chainfalls, and some light duty lifting straps will do it with ease. Grainger, McMaster-Carr, maybe even Tractor supply, etc. All have this stuff. Dunno what's cheaper, the lift gear or a floor lift. Either will work if you think it through.

RT
 
I agree, a Table lift is the way to go. I have been using a Harbor Freight lift with outrigger boxes for over 17 years now for many of my various bikes. The ST1300 and my present FJR 1300. Never a problem. I am also limited on space in my garage so I park my bike on the lift. The HF Lift has sure saved my back many time over.

SAM_1021.JPGSAM_1695.JPGSAM_5930.JPGSAM_1281.JPG
 
A big thank you to all for assisting me on this matter; all the beaut photographs, thoughts and advice. Greatly appreciated.
A Table Lift it shall be, and I cant wait to have one.
Regards, D
 
Southwest Ranger 217 said:
Funny they would lift it from the grab handels as they are plastic. I would not have done that.
Click to expand...

The grab handles on my 04 were cast aluminum. When did they change to plastic?

If you get/have the Harbor Freight lift, to save space, just lift it up on its side and store it against a wall in your garage. It takes up very little space at that point. I have been doing it this way for 10 years.
 
ChucksKLRST said:
I agree, a Table lift is the way to go
Click to expand...
You have no room to talk!

sam_1281-jpg.278566


Well ok maybe you do.

But... But... Your garage is disgustingly clean and organized.

SO THERE!
 
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