Has anyone any experience of a bike grab? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256063362721?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20240207182925%26meid%3D0f5c66a0c5a246759e2d5f04b7317bf4%26pid%3D101967%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D256063362721%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DPersonalizedTopicsV2NativeWithKnnVectorDBUserRecallV3_BP&_trksid=p4375194.c101967.m162920&_trkparms=parentrq%3A20e1569d1990a47f84959f39fff793b4%7Cpageci%3A75f4d5b3-8b66-11f0-9571-d2ea966bcc4d%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepage
Hi, I was looking at these earlier but they are bulky. I was asking about the “bike grab” device mainly to steady the bike whilst attaching it to an abba skylift.
The Bike Grab is likely to get in the way of fitting the ABBA Skylift the front arm of the Skylift comes out at 45 degrees from the central hydraulic ram and passes just behind the front wheel.
I did not realise that but it is pretty chunky, thank you for pointing it out. I saw a chap using one like this to good effect. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370849786040?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=777008&algo=PERSONAL.TOPIC&ao=1&asc=291568&meid=74d3709b0ac0456e822b27533d2eff5a&pid=101952&rk=1&rkt=1&mehot=pp&itm=370849786040&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=4375194&algv=WatchlistVariantWithMLR_BP&brand=Warrior&_trksid=p4375194.c101952.m162921&_trkparms=parentrq:256b88d21990a721eab720adfff65f54|pageci:cc21d0c9-8c17-11f0-a8b0-fa3effc29dd1|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage
I have one like that, I use it in the van when transporting a bike. I still think it might foul the front arm/leg of a Skylift though. The Skylift is not that difficult to mount the bike but it does take a bit of practice. However, once the bike is mounted via the LH swing arm pivot point it’s a simple enough task to hold the bike steady whilst walking around the back of it to get to the RH side to mount the other bracket. Once the RH bracket is secured and tightened up the whole thing is steady as a rock.
I imagine it is very similar and probably safer than when using an abba superbike stand. I have had the odd wobble over the years using one but nothing serious but want to avoid any such possibility. I guess I need to check the max width tyre the bike grab can accommodate. If I reverse the bike into the stand the problem of obstructing the skylift legs is sorted - isn’t it?
Thinking about it using the superbike stand is probably easier/safer as you can fit it whilst the bike is on the side stand! I am still a little concerned about how stable it is for things like removing rear axle/ swing arm on single sided swing arm bikes like the 1260 ms and 1200 monster. Has anyone on here done those tasks on a skylift?
Can the bike not be tilted when on the abba sky lift? Id imagine it is stable but you could always have the front wheel touching the ground while you remove the wheel and swing arm?
Yep, done loads of them, it’s not a problem at all, just set the Skylift strap so the bike gets raised in the ‘stoppie’ position. I don’t have a bike on the Skylift at present else I’d take a photo for you.
That is good to hear as I don’t think I have room for a table! Hearing someone else has done it and is confident with the skylift is very helpful, thanks
You can indeed put the bike in wheelie, stoppie positions or lift horizontally. My comments relate to getting the bike safely on the skylift which from the vids I have watched needs the bike to be pretty much upright to get the bobbins into the frame. The skylift legs keeps the mounting parallel to the floor.
Platform/table is the best bit of kit I ever bought for bikes. I do all my own maintenance and prior to having the lift table, adjusting front cylinder exhaust shims meant lying on the floor. Plus, it's so much easier having the bike at the correct level, meaning you can sit on a stool or stand without stooping. And with a combination of removable wheel vice/clamp (will fit both front and rear) plus other stands, I can set the bike in pretty much any position, including a 'wheelie' stance for removing the front end by lifting the bike up, supporting the front from the ceiling joist above and gently lowering the ramp (with rear wheel firmly clamped) to the correct angle. I recommend getting one with air -operated lift as well as hydraulic foot pedal if you can because it's so much easier and quicker to lift it. Yes, it takes up space when not in use but you can park a bike on it plus, at the moment I'm using it as height-adjustable welding bench so it has many uses.
What you say makes sense and if I had the space I would probably go for one. That said my shoulders are not as good as they once were so pushing a multi up on to a ramp and securing it is quite a task. Despite my concerns about stability I am coming around to the idea of of a skylift for ease of attaching, portability, manoeuvrability and space occupied. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject.
The ramp is minimal, plus you can always have it first gear and, standing on the LH side, control the clutch and cover the brake and walk it onto the ramp under its own power. With a wheel chock bolted to the front of the benchlift (like the ones you posted about above) you just run the front wheel into the chock and it will hold steady enough for you to get it secured via a rear axle stand or to strap it down. I use the Skylift all the time, on a variety of bikes, I don’t have the floor space for a bench in the current workshop. Yes, there’s a small balancing act to get the first, LH, mount in place but you’re not taking any weight of the bike just holding it steady and upright.
Having measured up my garage to look seriously at where a table might go I am in the same position as you re the lack of space - at least until the new garage is built. In the meantime I have jobs I want to do and I can see a skylift is much more doable with my current set up. The garage floor is not that smooth but I think it will be ok. Using a skylift will mean I do not have to leave one of the bikes on the drive overnight - uninsured between the hours of 10pm and 6 am! All along my concern with the skylift has been one of stability - sort of illogical given the umbers sold, the positive feedback owner give and the fact I have, as yet, not read on the net any owners having bad experience with them. In fact the stuff out there about the skylift is very positive. I gave abba a call yesterday and asked about the hydraulic cylinder and warranty and was told spares are available for the ram but they also offer a complete new cylinder at cost in the unlikely event one fails and needs to be totally replaced. I think my mind is made up. Thanks for the input it’s much appreciated.
One question that has just occurred to me is can you fit the abba skylift on either side of the of the bike in the event you want to work on one side with minimal stand obstruction?
No. It only goes in from the LH side. TBH, the only 2 things that one may do where the hydraulic ram obstructs is 1. Changing the front sprocket - but I just put the bikes on axle stands for that - admittedly you’re working at ground level then. 2. To remove a swing arm - but ABBA have a kit for that too and not many owners remove the swing arm.
I was hoping to use it to change the sprocket to a 14t - if I can ever get the nut shifted! I am not so fussed about removing the swing arm. (But probably should) It has just occurred to I might be able to fit the Skylift to the multi at least when it’s on its centre stand?
Personally I think you’re better off increasing the rear sprocket rather than decreasing the front. Going down a tooth at the front reduces the radius the chain moves through and this causes it to drag more on the chain sliders on the swing arm. If you go up 2 teeth on the rear you’ll have the same effect but you will need a chain that’s 2 links longer than OEM. To get the sprocket nut off get a piece of 2x2 and feed through the rear wheel and swing arm in such a way it jams the movement of the rear wheel. This locks the chain and you can then apply the necessary leverage with a long breaker bar (or a rattle gun).
