Messages

Sketchy

Happy New Year 2026'

I would 'Adopt' any of those bikes,especially if it was 'Free to good home',although I doubt that will ever happen 

Merry Christmas Chris and everyone.

Thinking out of the box, and having much experience working with disabled patients, I thought (about 30 years ago), a Geri-lift patient transfer crane might just be the hot ticket for bike work, so I bought a used one at an estate sale for $100. One of the best investments I've made, and I still have it.

I use it constantly, and with a rated capacity of 600 pounds, it will loft any 2-wheeled device shy of a Luxo-barge. It came with a box of chains and straps which can hook to most anything without damage, and it comes apart so is easy to transport; it has been through 3 moves to Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Phoenix slid under bikes on an open trailer. 

It works especially well on bikes with expansion chambers or no center and/or side stand since you lift from the top and not the bottom - especially useful for race bikes. It's also great for extracting and installing heavy motors, changing wheels, forks, or doing swingarm work.

One of the nicest parts is it is on caster wheels, so can be maneuvered in any direction easily, even with a full load. I swear by it, not at it!   





Warren

That is a great idea!

Very NICE

Handy is expensive but it's the shop standard. They have a basic lift I think for $1400 that's enough for most cases.

I bought my 1st one(grey w/ early/weak front wheel vise)from Monty in the mid 90's; they sent 'Dealer Paks' to my tiny home business every 6 months;an envelope packed full with adds(just before the Internet)for deals on stuff.
They wanted $699+ Freight from Iowa back then and I wanted it.
Wow,what a huge improvement in my life;got me up off the dirty floor.
I bought the side/width extenders for it next and later the better front wheel vise.
A solid 'tank' of a lift/table, & Heavy, if you wanted to roll it with the dolly/roller handle !

I left a tie-down strap up on one of the rafters to the handlebars connected by mistake on a customers 85' GL1200I GoldWing,then started to lower the lift & started to walk away from the pedal  !!!
I ran back and slid the lift pedal over close toward the right-side of the lift while I put my back under the side of the front fairing at the same time,to keep it from completely falling off the lift sideways,and then raised the bike enough to straighten it back up in the front wheel vise,then unhook the tie-down and lower the GW to the ground. I was working by myself(as usual)and nobody was there to help.
I had no insurance either..
No damage to the GW,which was Great;I had heavy made in USA friction straps and,of course the heavy steel frame of the Handy USA lift.
I saved the bike and my back,thank God,but the lift lower frame had a slight bend to the right ever since then;still usable 
I eventually replaced it with a new Handy, & sold the original to the local Harley guy in Vineyard Haven for $300 and he was pleased to have a 2nd lift.

I see the original Handy factory sold the company and those prices increased;I think they are improved with a couple different features now,especially the standard length of the lift.
I live on the 2nd floor of an apartment now(moved by myself from the Island on the East Coast out here to CA.,hoping to meet 'friendlys');no shop or lift,so I need to work on my own few bikes out in the parking lot on my knees,again:when the weather allows. 
Got to Have a shop again,but don't have the $,yet.

A number of folks have reached out to me recently. All, I appreciated the thought and well wishes.

I am back working regularly again. My sister and I more or less finished closing my mother's estate, at least all the big stuff, at the end of June. I got a new cat out of the deal and that's been pretty great!

Anyways, hit me up if you have any interest in some work.

Hi Chris,thanks for all the quality suspension work you've been doing for me these past couple months;I'm glad I finally found someone/You who does good work. 

If you're a serious bike restorer or mechanic forget the Harbor freight hydraulic lift. You'll wear your leg out pumping it up and down. Any good air lift is the way to go. Speaking from experience, and I've had a couple Harbor freight lifts as well. Just make sure you get one with a good half wheel chock and a removable plate at the rear for wheel removal.

When I get another shop,that's what I want.
Also,if you have a big bike w/ a long wheelbase(GW,etc.),it needs a long lift too.
The removable rear wheel plate is a good feature;from what I hear,it allows the rear wheel to drop-down out of the caliper & swingarm,which will then allow you to lay the wheel flat and slide it out. Lots of bodywork around the rear wheel on a large touring bike can keep you from getting in there.

I bought a Western Handy lift(air cylinder)in 2000' and loved it.
I moved quite a few times,so I sold it a year later;Really miss it.   

What's 'up' with the streaks in the photos ?
A Real listing,or.. ? 

 

I have things to sell.
I want to sell things like it was 10(or more)years ago on Ebay,when things made more sense.
I can only hope a much better online store opens-up,because I am motivated to sell certain things I've been sitting on for years.

I actually hope someone can shut-down Ebay;purchase the company,get rid of all the staff,and after a while of 'cleaning house',put up adds describing 'Under New Management'.
I would start listing right away.

Looks like some beautiful bikes in each case. Would love to go to that show some day. Thanks for taking me virtually   

I remember that bultaco top speed racer when I went to Bonneville to run back in 2021.

YEAH !! 

I like the one w/ the round Yamaha/3 tuning forks insignia.
Do you want to sell one ?

I can, but it takes a lot of time to make that one due to the detail and having to remove all the negative space vinyl. I was thinking of doing a simpler design and offering it to people.

I see

I like the one w/ the round Yamaha/3 tuning forks insignia.
Do you want to sell one ?