I have narrowed down a problem with my motorcycle lift, it crashes down when pressing the hydraulic release pedal. It is either "ON" or "OFF", as it were. The mechanism works by depressing a rod that pushes on a pin, this in turn pushes a ball bearing thus releasing the valve inside. Upon removing the release assembly, I examined the rod and find it bent with its damaged O-ring which I replaced. The bend inn the rod was corrected by a friend with a lathe and dial gauge. He tried his best it; was a lot better but unfortunately not completely corrected. I asked him to make me a new one but declined as he felt that making a new one was 'above his pay-grade'! Anyway, I gratefully accepted the improved rod and reassembled it. After a few pushes to test it and I was back to square one, the mechanism felt stiff and 'scratchy' when it was depressed. I dismantled it and set it up using my dial gauge and my drill just to show you, (see video). (Apologies, link now Corrected) The run-out is 5.5mm ish... not good, the causes the wider part of the rod to 'clock' (jam slightly) on the inside of the enclosing tube. I believe the distorted rod is the cause of the erratic stiff movement of the release mechanism. I am in London (East) and would love to hear from anyone who knows an engineer who could make me another (perfectly straight) one? Thanks in advance James I also checked the action at the 'business end' using a little wooden peg in order to push the ball bearing in and out; and that seems fine.
Your link to the video doesn't seem to work. However, a correct "rod" for a hydraulic ram should be hardened & surface ground to produce a hard surface that is smooth & will not damage the seal as it slides through it. The smooth surface also keeps any fluid loss to a minimum. Although you could make a new part on a lathe the surface finish you could achieve would not really be ideal & would leak. Having said that maybe you could get one made at a local engineering shop to you, but I would imagine the cost would be quite high & I would like to bet you could most likely buy a replacement ram from somewhere like Ebay cheaper. Maybe somewhere like Machine Mart also sell suitable replacements. It would also be worth checking the fluid level in the ram because a low level can also make lowering give a similar affect, i.e. dropping suddenly, knotchey, etc.
If the lift is originally from Machine Mart, then they sell certain individual spare parts. On the Machine Mart website, when you select the Clarke hydraulic motorcycle lift product page, you can download the manual complete with illustrated parts list and order the part you need (or next highest assembly). I think you have to pay for delivery as I don't think click and collect from the nearest store is an option. Would also help to identify why the rod bent in the first place as it may be secondary damage. HTH.
Thanks for the useful replies. I am not optimistic about getting the correct replacement ram. The lift was bought 8 years ago! Apologies link now corrected:
Now that is very useful! Yes, I have the same lift ram... only mine is red... However, I did not have that label (fast/sow) on mine. This seems to be a well-kept arcane secret! In the meantime, I have found a friend on another forum who makes precision minature 4-stroke engines. I sent Fusion 360 files of the parts and then the parts from the release mechanism to him. He has designed some extra parts to avoid the central shaft becoming bent and is refabricating the bent shaft. The kind chap only charging me return postage which is really generous of him. I will definitely mention the left hand adjustment screw to him. Thank you so much for letting me know. Once I get it back together I will test it crefully with this adjustment screw in mind. I have always heeded warnings never to touch these screws as these are a safety device to avoid overloading the lift. Is this ram a replacement for an older one? I vaguely recall these rams on eBay a while ago, no loger available? Thanks mate, best wishes, James
further to your other post , my Bike-It branded lift looks exactly like your clarke and also the one in the for sale thread. and yes the left valve controls speed of descent, the other says dont touch & i assume this is the pump inlet valve trimmer )
