Modern Vespa

Coming directly to my door from Handy lift....

the dealer pissed me off so much i decided to start doing my own service. Prob even going to host "DIY tech days" if i can find a good tech and some comrades that love too work on there own scoots...

So for now its trial and error , but thanks too memebers , moderators and techguys on this forum this dream has now become a reality.

A big toast too all you guys out there that DIY !

And now for some tools....

Excellent!

It is fun and satisfying to do your own wrenching, plus you know it will be done correctly.

That's a dealer to be reckoned with!

What lift did you get? Have a photo or link for it?

Here is a link to the Handy Lift std 1000. It comes either powered by compressor or electric. I went electric. Bought a few extras , wheel chock , tool tray and dolly too move it around.

https://www.handyindustries.com/docs/NEW_OWNERS_MANUALS_3_11/16486_ELECTRIC_LIFT_WITH_HAND_CONTROL_8-11.pdf

Wow, nice lift. You are starting on the right path. With a few dedicated special tools, you can do your own maintenance. Have fun.

You could start your own shop with that thing!

Yea it will prob pay for itself in a couple of years and save my back , priceless

I have a clone to the handy. love it, I also got the side extensions for working on the riding lawnmower.
The lift can also be used to load and unload a scoot from a truck, instead of using ramps.
Makes for cleaning the scoots so much nicer as well.

Now get some MV'ers who live around you and have "tech" days. Great way to have extra hands and a lotta fun.

How fancy! No more laying on your back, sqatting, getting up, and sitting back down again. Kudos!

Ooooooo... a Handy lift. Very nice. The Cadillac of table lifts. You will love it.

Mine is a Handy knockoff (pneumatic). It's been a back saver and is very versatile.

Starting with a Vespa ET4 frame...


Starting with a early Harley-Davidson wishbone rigid frame...

HarborFreight has their 1000lbs Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift on sale with coupon for $339.99 until 4/30/14. That's the best price I've seen on it. I have the aluminum lift jack and the high position lift, which work great for working on the wheels and suspension, but I want a table style lift to do more extensive tear-downs.

Judy nothing would give me more pleasure than doing exactly that ... If you weren't so freaking far away

Boys each lift you posted are great, as it will do the job and save your back. I went handy lift for no other reason that the reviews were all excellent. But the most important element was that it was manufactured and assembled in the USA.

Can't wait too find the time to put it together and see it in action.

K yes i am sorta far. You need to come visit someday. We'll have a tech day just for you. Enjoy your new lift. 8)

Nice lift, once you have one you wonder how you managed without.

I want 8)

Russ

So true. I went halves with my riding buddy and bought a UK equivalent of the Harbor Freight lift, and its already proved its worth in its first few months. Why didn't we do this before?!

The pallet arrived in good order. How the heck did you get it out of the box. It comes upside down and its freaking heavy. I bet two guys couldn't flip it over without damaging the nice quality paint job.

So how did you flip it over without damaging the paint ? thx, H.

That's a really good looking lift.. it tickles my fancy when i see a scoot on a lift i just want to dig in fix and clean

Same here, came crated, but the two of us did fine flipping it and setting it up

Very nice! Handy have a lifetime warranty and are made here in the US. Congratulations! Your back will thank you.

I have the SAM 1000, which is about the same as yours but a little longer and has the removable panel under the rear wheel. When I first got it, I had the hose through the wrong place, and pinched it when lowering. I called Handy to buy a new hose, but they wouldn't let me buy one, even though it was my fault. They next-day shipped one to me at no cost. That's service!

I keep one of the lesser used scooters on it in the garage, as the MG is too low to slide it under. I've had local riders over several times using it for maintenance, oil changes, etc.

(Yes, I know the Met is on there backwards.)

You'll find that a small flat scissor jack comes in handy if you need to drop the motor. Also helps when you want to remove the front wheel.

-Craig

smore that is a nice set up! Is that an MG hiding behind the lift in racing red ?

Yup got that too. I'm going to cry when i get my credit card bill... ordered the tool tray too...

Yep, a '58 MGA 1500, but in Orient Red. Click the link in my sig for more photos, or go HERE

I can totally relate.. had a 76 triumph tr6 with overdrive. Loved that car. I'm sorry i sold it. Your car looks in amazing condtion, collectors quality

Thanks!

You won't regret the expenditure when you start working with the lift. It really has been a back saver for me. When I'm deep in a project I can easily spend 20 hours or more a week in the garage wrenching. Not only is it nice to have my work at eye level, but the table makes a great surface for organizing my tools. I would have bought one years ago if I'd realized all the benefits.

-Craig

I worked out that by sharing the cost of the lift with my riding buddy, I'd be saving money after doing just ONE service on the GTS compared with my local Piaggio dealer price here in the UK

That's how it is with tools, and why my wife NEVER complains about it when I buy more.

and it keeps you on a short leash

I have as much leash as I need.

It's good to feel a tug every once in a while. Yup, she's there.

I've been using the Harbor Frieght lift for about 6 years now. I bought it on sale for$279.99 usd. The only complaint is that the red paint faded to pink!
I'll repaint it some day.

I know of two that can't find parts to repair. Good on you for getting a good unit. BTWhere have been at least three different versions in the 8 years I've been watching.

What luck, a talented AP that probably could repair it has one that goes and goes! Buy a lottery ticket.

We the unwashed seem to do better with a better quality lift, at least that's how it's been here.

Reminds me I need to get mine on Craigs list and see what kind of odd sorts come out of the woods.

these things are great, i used mine yesterday to mount a set of new tires and a side stand on my gt. made the job down right enjoyable.

do these lifts have to be bolted to the ground?

No. They have wheels so you can move them around. Takes some effort though.

One guy I know cut a hole in his concrete floor the size of the lift and installed it flush with the floor.

-Craig