A water trap on your air line will make them last longer. Moisture in the cylinder creates rust and the orings dont seal anymore. A buddy at my old shop repaired one by sanding the cylinder smooth then coating it with HD wheel bearing grease worked fine for another 6 years that I know of, that lift has 20+ years of dealership use on it.

 

Handy lifts is having problems right now, the Union and the economy are taking their toll. The laid off a lot of people and are way behind on production, I couldn't find one place that had the life I wanted. I went with a K&L from Derek Weaver.

 

Nothing but Handy here. I like American made products. I know it will be still going strong a few generations from now.

 

Dave,

The top photo could be a poster. Very nice.

I have a Favorites "Folder" on my computer with several links to motorcycle lifts. It's hard for me to justify the extra cost of the Handy, so I think I will eventually get a Direct Lift. Shipping costs are a huge factor. So, I think when the time comes i'll order from Northern Tool ($699), and pick it up at the store in Ocala. Probably wait for a 10% or 20% off coupon

 

i have looked at the harbor freight lifts, but i'm going to buy the handylift when i have some play money. i'd rather wait to get the real thing than something that is of lesser quality. the previous poster put it well when he mentioned that you get what you pay for. that's why i have no tools that are stamped "made in pakistan, india, taiwan or china" in my macmizer. quality is worth owning. junk is what you loan to others and hope they forget to return it to you.

 

Handy SAM-1000 is an awesome lift, and 1 man can load/unload the bike easy with their cycle vice. It is VERY stable.

 

This is the one I use. Pro Cycle lift from Direct Lift in U.S.A. or from Lift Buddy in Canada. Check out the optional center jack, they are well worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayLhsSuNFao

 

Buddy, you have some serious history lessons to learn. You must be a first time Union member.

 

Hey Captain America... it's kinda hard to take you seriously when there's a lot of the parts on your bike that aren't made here in the states. I'm not trying to be a dick, just callin' it like I see it. That's just me though.

 

A buddy of mine has one of the much maligned, at least in this thread, Harbor Freight lifts. He's been using it a bit over a year now with no issues at all. He did, however, replace the ugly stock wheel chock with a Condor.

That being said, the only real part to break down on them is the lift mechanism itself, which is easily replaceable, so I'm not really sure what all of the slogging is about.