Motorising bike platform lift action

[Rozabikes Tim]

Multiman's trolley thread got me thinking...

Some who have met me will know I am loosing mobility due to muscle wastage. Arms and legs are effected. However although likely never to ride a bike again, I love working on them and determined when time allows, to get properly into the 400/4 resto....

Anyway because of my condition, I cannot pump the hydraulic lift pedal to lift the platform. Anybody ever done a motorised mod on these at all? Or do any of you engineering wizards have any ideas?

[Johnny4428]

Tim I hope I adopt the same attitude as you should I lose my mobility, it is in the w/shop that I get as much enjoyment from these bikes. My bike lift had an air pump on it when I bought it but seeing how the pedal operates the pump on these manually i can see no problem with converting to be operated by hand or with compressed air. Bound to be someone on here that could suggest something. Good luck!

[Multiman]

After a quick search inevitably there are several YouTube videos on doing a conversion.
Cursory look suggests they buy an air operated ram and replace the existing. Some welding required.

[K2-K6]

To throw in an idea https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175919035113 items like these offer possibilities,  cost potentially a barrier though and adaption required. Its a outboard motor lift hydraulic unit. A friend has used this type before to provide lift for snowplough blade on the front of a land rover  !

[K2-K6]

Things like this available too https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004382089829.html again of ram + motor unit combined.

[Rozabikes Tim]

Thanks chaps. Looks like the compressed air route is the most cost effective way having googled things. I searched for an electric motorisation option before and not much came up.

Loads with air / hydraulic jack based conversions. All pretty similar and straight forward it seems.
Did note a couple said spec on what were automotive jacks said only to use them upright but they said no issues. One guy topped up hydraulic fluid when jack on its side as it would be when fitted to lift.

Can't see me doing this very soon but not frightening engineering involved.

Thanks again for the input.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I guess you have looked at one like this - an expensive but safe option.


https://www.craigmoreonline.co.uk/680kg-heavy-duty-motorcycle-lift-electro-hydraulic?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuqKqBhDxARIsAFZELmJBnLBsnunHoCbcSq5PpdzpnZ4c9k6kvGj_O3AODUxYodV76z5wAFAaAszVEALw_wcB

[Rozabikes Tim]

Ouch that is a few quid!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Ouch that is a few quid!

This one is a tad cheaper especially if you can claim back the VAT.

https://www.mccormicktools.co.uk/product/sealey-mc454e-motorcycle-lift-450kg-12v-electro-hydraulic#f65a/classic-initial/

[Rozabikes Tim]

Thanks Ted. Lesser ouch - I'm a tight git too!! I actually quite fancy the fabrication challenge.

[Matt_Harrington]

Machine mart do an air assisted ramp. If yours is a Clarke one (or similar) I'm sure you could add this option.
Maybe worth investigating.

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In fact, I'm tempted to do that to mine....

[Rozabikes Tim]

Mmmmm very interesting.....

[Deano400]

Is it possible to add a long extension to the foot pedal so that you can pump by hand with a lot less effort?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

FWIW I think I have only raised the height of my ramp with my 500 on it about three times this year. Clearly lowering needs no pumping except to take the pressure off the safety bar. When I start to struggle with the pumping up I hope to still have the advantage of a reluctant Wendy to assist me.

Be interesting to read your solution Tim - mine is a Clarke stand but I have no airline supply. The extra long pedal sounds an interesting option.

[Matt_Harrington]

Mmm, may not be as simple as I thought!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSNlGm-Cmgc&ab_channel=NewOrleansScooterCooperative