Modern Vespa

I know even less about my Harbor Freight Motorcycle Lift than I do about my P200. I bought it used last year and I've had intermittent trouble with it not going up or not coming down.

Most recently, it had been up for several weeks and resting on the steel bar so there was no pressure on the cylinder. When I tried to pump it up enough to remove the steel bar, I found that the linkage connected to the release pedal had lost a screw and was no longer connected. Also, I had to add about 4 oz of fluid to the cylinder. I rebuilt the links and finally got it to go up and come down although when it came down, I couldn't stop it until it reached bottom.

Since then I have been able to pump it up and by manually lifting the release pedal higher than it usually goes, I can hold it in place long enough to insert the steel rod... BUT ONLY IF THE LIFT IS EMPTY. When I put the P200 back on, the lift won't rise.

I'm guessing that the hydraulic cylinder needs to be rebuilt. Does that sound right? How do I do that? Is that something that a local hydraulic repair service would do for me or do I have to go back through Harbor Freight and/or Pittsburgh Motorcycle.

If anyone has had similar experiences with this lift, I could use your advice.

Bummer! I had to add hydraulic fluid and bleed the thing to get mine to work consistently. I don't remember exactly what I did. There is a little screw on the hydraulic mechanism, but you've got to get the air out of the thing, kinda like bleeding the brakes. Maybe Youtube? https://youtu.be/VdxIqh2M_T0

Good luck!

From my book "been there done that" air is the enemy.. bleed the cylinder two or three times. The first time I did this it was almost good, by the third time it was good to go.

Isn't this a manufacturer's defect? Why mess around with it? Just take it back.

It's harbor freight. What did you expect?

Bleed it, rebuild it, fill it.

Not trying to be an ass, I've got plenty of HF shit kicking around.

But for the real deal? Like my dad said: buy it once and pay the price or buy it twice.

-g

all this talk on a Chinese lift?!

Step up your game and buy a Handy and never look back.

Not sure it is worth fixing, you can buy a new one for $80.00 plus tax. Jack is $100 new, use a 20% off coupon.

I love my Ranger Lift and it is air or manual lift. Has a slide out piece for rear tire changes and rear support bars to support the back of the bike off the lift with straps.
I have the ATV add on sides too, so it is easy to ride the scooter on to the lift.

Pretty sure he's talking about a table lift, not a motorcycle jack type lift.

Oops, I always think of a jack, the only time I have mine in the air is to change tires.

Maybe try this?

https://www.redlinestands.com/catalog/lifts-c-290/parts-accessories-c-290_304/hydraulic-motorcycle-lift-parts-c-290_304_309/harbor-freight-motorcycle-lift-table-replacement-pump-p-2797?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImJWy77HQ6gIVkcDACh05Twr1EAQYASABEgJQn_D_BwE

Lots of good comments here guys... thanks.

Yes, WEB-Tech I'm talking about the table lift and yes I agree with several of you, "You get what you pay for." I bought this used Harbor Freight Unit (so I can't take it back Nomadinsiam for a couple of hundred bucks last year because, other that the project I'm working on now, (https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic168825) I don't need a lift more than 2, maybe 3 times in a year, and I don't want to put a lot of money into something I use so seldom. Until this week, it has been adequate.

I've bled it several times but still can not get it to lift when there is a load on the platform. I topped it up again while the lift was about half way up (you can hardly reach the fill hole when it is down) but quickly learned that that is not the proper way to do it when the rubber plug popped out while lowering the platform. I'm guessing that I'm going to need to replace the cylinder and I have a call in to Harbor Freight to find out time and cost. I may be better off taking it to a local hydraulics repair company... if any are working these days. Thanks for your suggestion Christopher... that's always an option.

Removing the cylinder could be a son of a bitch. I found a video that is probably informative, but the presenter ran the process in fast-motion that is SO fast that it's hard to see what he is doing! Can anyone suggest a better step-by-step video on removing and reinstalling the pump?

I'm not familiar with these, so take this with a grain of salt. In addition to the cylinder, I would be suspecting the pump. The cylinder is more 'passive', although it does all the heavy lifting(lol) and bears the load. But the pump is where most of the action is and seems possible that there might be more wear there.

I considered getting one of these and they are handy. But they take up a lot of space and I prefer to either lean my scoots far over, resting the end of the handle bar on a sturdy support or laying them down on fat pillows if necessary. So much simpler for me, but most of mine are a bit shabby and I don't worry about possible effects if done carefully. That said, a table lift does have some advantages for ppl who do not want to get down on the floor to work on their scoot.

Tip: put a baggy over the gas filler hole and close the cap over it tightly to avoid gas leakage if you lay it down.

Damn, I may be screwed! I asked around and found out I that the local hydraulics companies could rebuild the pump/cylinder IF, they can find the proper metric seals (from China) and IF I want to pay their $125 to $175 hourly rate. Hardily worthwhile since I only paid $200 for the entire lift. I'm hoping that Harbor Freight can sell me a replacement pump/cylinder at a reasonable price. Still haven't heard back from them.

Yes, Voodoo, that was me who used to do the poolside repairs. It worked fine in the Summer but was a crappy idea in the Winter. Lately though it's been hot enough in Fresno that even working in the pool isn't a good idea.

HF pump is here and its $122.

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/parts/In_Stock_Replacement_Parts.pdf Scoll down, click on Pittsburgh and scroll down again to see the pump for the 1000 lb lift. When you call HF ask for the 20% discount. They may or may not give it to you. https://www.harborfreight.com/parts They don't charge for shipping.

Watch this video (slower speed if needed) to see how to install. https://youtu.be/x-dhyi7OSOs

Good luck!

Thanks Rowdy... I hadn't seen that catalogue and that's just what I needed to know about a replacement pump/cylinder. That's more expensive than I was hoping for a quickie repair so I may have to rethink this whole issue.

I didn't know you could slow the playback on a YouTube video. Thanks Rowdy

My first thought too. I have a love hate relationship with them.

The electric impact gun I bought for $30 lasted 12 years used 10 or 15 times a year. Good deal! I bought another one for $40

A lift that can drop shit on me, nah...I spent more for better quality.

Fatbear-the repair pic in the pool is CLASSIC!!! I love it

That pool picture tops everything I've ever seen regarding repairs. There just needs to be a cold beer there.

Now I'm going to have to get an in ground pool at me next house. I want to work on my scooter in the pool. Might have to tie it off to something to make sure it doesn't end until in the pool. You rich guys with pools.

I've dropped a lot of things into pools, but never a Vespa... yet.

I could find only one shop that thought they could "probably" repair the Harbor Freight cylinder but it would probably take at least 2 hours... and $120/hour. And they wouldn't be able to get to it for 2-3 weeks. I wound up ordering a replacement cylinder from HF but it is still going to take at least as long for it to arrive from China... or wherever.

"Rich guys with pools"... ha! I live in Fresno where having a pool is almost mandatory. See the pic of my thermometer I posted last week.

The pool repair pic: yes, a classic, and an international one at that! Someone reposted the pic on a forum here in France a while back, and everybody was in awe as well (lots of "ouh la la"s were uttered ).

I guess it's too late if you've already ordered the part, but metric o-rings can be bought pretty cheap here in France, and probably in the US as well. I rebuilt a few Bitubo shock absorbers, and Fishoponline.com had all the weird oil seals and rings I needed, in various qualities and sizes. They're in France, but they'll ship to the US. I'd check first for a distributor locally though, if only to save on shipping and time.

Yes, you're right Frank, I've already ordered a replacement cylinder for my Harbor Freight lift. Frankly, I don't have the tools, the talent or the inclination to repair the cylinder myself, but if someone wants to do it, they can have the cylinder for $5 plus the cost of shipping. Just PM me.